Ganagapura (Deval Ganagapur) is a Village in Karnataka, India. It is located in the Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka. The Village is noted for its Temple to Lord Dattatreya.
Ganagapura is also a pilgrim place associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. According to the book Shri Guru Charitra, Lord Dattatreya promised that he would be present forever at Ganagapura. In the morning, he would bathe at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers at Ganagapur.
At midday, he would go through the village asking for bhiksha (alms of food), and accept pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple. Devotees believe that by bathing at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers between 3.30 am to 4.30 am (brahma muhurtham), studying the Shri Guru Charita book for 7 days at the odumbara tree (Fig tree) at the confluence, by begging (Maadhukari) from at least five houses for 7 days in Ganagapura, and by offering Paduka Pooja at the temple, they can experience the living presence (darśana) of Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, and be freed from sins and their wishes would be fulfilled.
Ganagapur is also known by the names Gandharvapur, Dhanpur and Gangabhavan. In the temple, a small opening covered with silver plate frame in the wall gives a sight of the deity. Entry is restricted at Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) which has Nirguna Paduka and Dattatreya Image. Nirguna Paduka (A pair of Sandals) of Shri Narasimha Saraswati is kept here, an incarnation of Dattatreya.
Many people who are affected by some evils or spirits visit Dattatreya Temple of Ganagapur to get rid of that spirit. People also visit this temple for the relief from the black magic or from any evil effects.
The Kalleshwara (Shiva) temple located one KM away from Sri Dattatreya temple is considered to be as holy as Gokarna. There is Shani dev temple adjacent to Lord Shiva’s temple which is equally famous. “, Sri Narasimha Saraswati lived in Ganagapur during his last 20 years of his life before leaving for the forest of Kardali (Kardali vana near Srisailam) to attain samadhi in 1458.
Important Festival days
15th and 16th day of Karthika month will be celebrated in a grand manner, and Pallaki Seva is performed from temple to Bhim and Amaraja confluence.
Dattatreya
Mahavisnu took birth as Dattatreya, Siva as Durvasa and Brahma as Chandra, to Anasuya wife of Saint Atri Mahamuni. Dattatreya did penance from his childhood and became a hermit. (Brahmanda Purana, Chapters 39 to 44).
He was born with all the qualities of the three gods, making him an embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, and strength. Lord Dattatreya is also said to have been a wandering ascetic who travelled the world, spreading his knowledge and wisdom to all who sought it.
Lord Dattatreya is often depicted with three heads, representing the three gods he embodies. His right hand holds a drum, representing the creative power of Lord Brahma. His left hand holds a conch shell, representing the sustaining power of Lord Vishnu. And his third hand holds a trident, representing the dissolution power of Lord Shiva. The four dogs that accompany Dattatreya are considered to be the symbol of four Vedas. The Gomata (cow) behind Dattatreya is said to be the incarnation of Bhoomata (Earth). The shloka –
“Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru devo Maheshwara,
Guru sakshat, param Brahma, tasmai shri guravay namah”
is in praise of Dattatreya who is an incarnation of the Trimurthis- Bhagwan Vishnu, Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Shiva. Dattatreya says everyone has 24 Masters in the form of- pancha bhootas (earth, water, fire, air and ether), 5 jnanendriyas (eyes, ears, skin, tongue and nose), 5 karmendriyas (mouth, hands, legs and two body parts of excreta), 5 tanmatras (sound, touch, form, taste and smell) and 4 antakaranas (heart, mind, memory and ego). Lord Dattatreya is worshipped as the supreme guru and is believed to be the source of all spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
Incarnations of Dattatreya
The main incarnations of Dattatreya in Kaliyuga are –
Sri Paadha Sri Vallabha (AD. 1320-1350 AD) is considered as first of the avatar (incarnation) of the deity Shri Dattatreya in Kaliyuga. He was born in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati (AD 1378 to 1458) was the next avatar of Shri Dattatreya in Kaliyuga. Born to Sri Madhav and Amba Bhavani, a Deshastha Brahmin family in Karanjapur, Maharashtra.
Sri Manikya Prabhu Maharaj (1817-1865) avatar of Dattatreya was born in a village called Ladwanti, near the town of Kalyan, Maharashtra.
Swami Samarth Maharaj (1856-1878) also known as Akkalkot Swami Maharaj is the fourth incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in this Kaliyuga.
Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi (1838-1918) one of the foremost saints of modern Bharat is considered as the fifth avatar (incarnation) of Sri Dattatreya in this age of Kali.
Important Datta Kshetras
Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh; Girnar in Gujarat; Gaangapur and Kuruvapur in Karnataka; Mahur, Karanjapur, Oudumbar, Narsobawaadi, Paanchaleshwar in Maharashtra are the important Datta Kshetras.
Sri Dattatreya is considered as Guru of all the gurus and worshipping Him is known as Datta sampradaya or guru sampradaya. Devotees of Dattatreya strongly believe that worshipping Him saves a person from the Pitrudosha or Pitrushaap (i.e., curse of the deceased ancestors) and receive their blessings. He is described in the Mahabharata as an exceptional Rishi (sage) with extraordinary insights and knowledge, who is adored and raised to a Guru and an Avatar of Vishnu in the Puranas.
Gurucharitra tradition: This tradition is named after the Marathi text Gurucharitra consisting of 51 chapters, containing the life stories of 14th-century Datta Avatar Sripada Srivallabha and 15th-century Datta Avatar Narasimha Saraswati. The text was composed by Sarasvati Gangadhara, consists of three sections called Jnanakanda (chapters 1–24), Karmakanda (25–37) and Bhaktikanda (38–51), and is considered a sacred mantra-filled text in the Gurucharita tradition in parts of Maharashtra, north Karnataka and Gujarat. Ganagapur in kalaburagi north Karnataka is an important pilgrimage center in this tradition.
In the Hindu tradition, Dattatreya is the author of Avadhuta Gita. The text’s poetry is based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta, one of the sub schools of Hindu philosophy.
How to reach Ganagapur?
Ganagapur is well connected by road and rail. There are many state-run buses from Gulbarga to Ganagapur. Ganagapur Road railway station, which is on Gulbarga–Mumbai route is 22 KM from the temple. The nearest airport is at Kalaburagi located around 50 KMs from Ganagapur. Gulbarga, Solapur ,Akkalkot and Bidar are having good connectivity to Ganagapur.
– Dr. B.N.V.Parthasarathi
(Ex Senior Banker, Management and Financial Consultant, Visiting Faculty at Premier B Schools and Universities).
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