Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple

Introduction to the Akkalkot Temple

Akkalkot Swamy Samarth Maharaj Temple is a highly renowned temple near Solapur, Maharashtra. It is one of the most important pilgrimage spots in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Akkalkot Temple is the holy place of Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj. He is considered to be an incarnation of Dattatreya. A large number of devotees visit the Akkalkot Temple daily.

History of the Akkalkot Temple

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj is a 19th-century saint believed to be an incarnation of Shree Dattatreya by his devotees. His other names are Akkalkot Swami, Akkalkot Maharaj, Maharaj of Akkalkot, Akkalkot Niwasi Maharaj, Swami Samarth, or Shri Swami Samarth. Shripad Shrivallabha Charitra says that Guru Dattatreya took three avatars - Shripad Shri Vallabha, Narasimha Saraswati, and Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj.

Swami Samarth is also considered a guru of the Nath sect. Hindus and Muslims followed him as he preached the universal brotherhood of all religions.

Many devotees believe Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj is an incarnation of Sri Narasimha Saraswati of Ganagapur, believed to be an incarnation of Shri Shripad Shrivallabha. Devotees worship Swami Samarth in different places and under other names.

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj visited many places and finally settled in Akkalkot. He visited places like Puri, Benaras, Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawad, and Rameshwaram in the South while moving to the Himalayas.

Swami Samarth stayed at Mangalvedha for twelve years. Famous saints Domojipant and Chokhamela lived in Mangalwedha, Pandharpur, in Solapur district earlier. He suddenly left Mangalvedha and reached a small village named Mohol. Swami Samarth came to Solapur after spending some months in Mohol.

Chintopant Appa Tol, an ardent devotee from Akkalkot, invited Swami Samarth to stay here. He arrived in Akkalkot in 1856 and performed many miracles. Swami remained there till his Mahasamadhi on April 30, 1878.

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj is known for his miraculous powers, such as reviving the dead, healing the sick, materializing objects, and granting boons. He taught his disciples about self-realization, devotion, service, and detachment. He also composed many verses and songs in various languages, such as Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit, and Urdu.

The Architecture of the Akkalkot Temple

The followers of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj built a small temple around his Mahasamadhi later. This two-storied building has a Nagarkhana. The Akkalkot Temple features modern temple architecture.

The Akkalkot Temple was renovated in 1920. The Sabha Mandap was built in 1925. In 1943, the inner temple construction was started and completed in 1946. Many holy places are associated with the premises of the Swami Samarth Temple.

Swami Samarth left his mortal body under the banyan tree in Akkalkot, where he had spent most of his time. His samadhi and shrine are now located in the same place. The Akkalkot Temple also houses Swami Samarth's padukas (footwear) and his belongings, such as his clothes, rosary, and water pot. His various forms, idols, and postures are in the Akkalkot Temple.

There is a museum, a library, a meditation hall, a Dharamshala (guest house), and an Anna chatra (free food distribution center) in the Akkalkot Temple.

Devotees call the Akkalkot Temple Vatavriksha Swami Samarth Mandir due to the presence of a banyan tree.

Festivals in the Akkalkot Temple

The Akkalkot Temple celebrates various festivals and occasions, such as Guru Purnima, Hanuman Jayanti, Rama Navami, and Datta Jayanti.

The Akkalkot Temple observes Swami Samarth Punyatithi (the day of the Samadhi of Swamy Samarth) on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi.