The Anasuya Devi Temple is situated at Mahur in Maharashtra’s Nanded district. It is a powerful symbol of devotion, purity, and divine motherhood. Dedicated to Mata Anasuya, the wife of Sage Atri and mother of Lord Dattatreya, this temple is one of the most sacred spots in the region.
The temple is believed to have existed for thousands of years, and it was built on the sacred grounds where Sage Atri and Mata Anasuya performed their penance. According to the Puranas, this forest region was once home to great sages and rishis who lived in ashrams and engaged in spiritual practices. Mata Anasuya is said to have given birth to Dattatreya, an incarnation of the Hindu Trinity, here in Mahur.
The region came under the influence of several dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, and later, the Marathas. Local lore suggests that the Maratha rulers and regional kings supported the temple’s upkeep and promoted the worship of Dattatreya and Anasuya Mata.
Perched on a hilltop surrounded by forests, the temple displays traditional Hindu architecture with a peaceful and simple ambiance. The main shrine houses Mata Anasuya’s idol, and nearby are shrines for Sage Atri and the birthplace of Lord Dattatreya. The temple complex blends naturally with its spiritual surroundings.
According to ancient texts, Mata Anasuya was the wife of Sage Atri, one of the revered Sapta Rishis (seven sages). She was known for her unwavering devotion to her husband and her immense spiritual power. Her fame for chastity and purity spread across the three worlds and eventually reached Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati—the consorts of the Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
To test Anasuya’s chastity, the goddesses requested their husbands to humble her. Accepting the request, the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) approached her disguised as sages and demanded that she offer them alms without wearing clothes, which would compromise her modesty and purity.
Anasuya, undisturbed and composed, recognized the divine nature of the visitors. Using her power of chastity (pativratya shakti), she turned the three gods into newborn infants, thus fulfilling their request without breaking her dharma. She then fed and cared for them as a mother.
When the goddesses learned of this, they rushed to Anasuya and begged her to return their husbands to their original forms. Moved by their plea, Anasuya restored the Trimurti to their divine forms.
In gratitude and admiration, they granted her a boon. Anasuya wished for the Trinity to be born as her son. Her wish was fulfilled through the birth of Dattatreya (a composite form of the Trimurti).
The temple celebrates several festivals, with significant observances during Anasuya Jayanti and Dattatreya Jayanti. These occasions attract numerous devotees who participate in special prayers, rituals, and cultural programs, highlighting the temple’s vibrant spiritual atmosphere.