Today is Guru Dwadashi
Kuruvapuram (also known as Kurupuram, Kurugadda, Kurugaddi, or Vallabhapuram) is a very holy place associated with Shripada Shri Vallabha, the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in Kali Yuga. It is located on the banks of the River Krishna, on the border of Telangana and Karnataka.
Today is Guru Dwadashi, the sacred day when Shripada Shri Vallabha left his physical form and merged into the divine. This holy day falls on Dwadashi, which comes just before Dhanteras and Deepavali.
The presiding deity here is Shripada Shri Vallabha, regarded as the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in Kali Yuga. The temple does not have a regular idol; instead, it houses the Nirguna Padukas (holy footprints) of Shripada Shri Vallabha, which represent His eternal and formless presence. It is believed that Shripada stayed here for several years performing deep penance and divine miracles. On Ashweeja Bahula Dwadashi (Hastha Nakshatra), He left His physical body and merged into the Krishna River. Devotees believe that even today, He exists here in sukshma (subtle) form, giving invisible darshan to those with true devotion.
The temple is built in the traditional Hemadpanti style using stone and follows a simple, ancient design suitable for meditation and worship. Inside the temple is the Paduka Mandir, which holds the holy footprints of Shripada Vallabha. Nearby lies the Meditation Cave (Dhyana Guha) where he is said to have performed intense tapas (penance). The temple premises also have sacred trees such as the Old Banyan Tree, the Audumbar Tree, and the Gayatri Suryodasana. The Nagarkhana (bell tower) was built by Shri Tukdoji Holkar. The entire island, with its river view, natural rocks, and quiet surroundings, offers an atmosphere ideal for prayer and reflection.
Shripada Shri Vallabha was born in Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh) to Appalaraju Sharma and Sumathi Devi. He performed many divine leelas and uplifted countless devotees. This sacred land of Kuruvapuram was once donated by a humble Rajak (washerman) devotee, and therefore it became an Agraharam—a place maintained for temple priests. During the Nizam period, it was known as Kuruvalaya. In 1911, the great saint Parampujya Vasudevananda Saraswati (Tembe Swami Maharaj) performed his 21st Chaturmasya Vrata here. Later, saints like Rangavadhootha Maharaj, Gulavani Maharaj, and Shridhar Swamiji also visited and performed penance in this holy land, further increasing its divine vibration.
According to the Skanda Purana, Kuruvapuram is described as Gurudweepa, the Island of the Guru. It is said that 28,000 yogis and siddhas from the Himalayas visited this holy place and had the divine darshan of Lord Dattatreya. Many miracles are associated with Shripada Shri Vallabha here. The story of Vallabhesh, a devotee who was killed by robbers and brought back to life by the Lord, is famous. Another legend says Shripada once walked across the Krishna River to reach Vallabhapuram on the opposite bank. During Tembe Swami Maharaj’s stay here, he was once bitten by a scorpion when he missed his daily prayer, reminding devotees of the importance of regular worship and discipline. These incidents are still remembered by devotees as proof of Shripada’s divine presence.
The most important festival celebrated here is Guru Dwadashi, the sacred day when Shripada Shri Vallabha left his physical form. On this day, the temple is filled with devotees who perform special pujas, abhishekam, bhajans, and annadanam (food offering). Other important occasions are Datta Jayanti, the birth of Lord Dattatreya, and Shripada Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Shripada Vallabha. Every day, temple priests perform abhishek and arathi to the Padukas, chant Shri Guru Charitra, and conduct bhajans. Devotees often stay on the island for meditation and spiritual practice, believing that sincere prayer here can remove all difficulties and bring peace and prosperity.
Kuruvapuram is not just a temple—it is a divine tapo-bhoomi (land of meditation) filled with eternal peace and spiritual power. The sound of the flowing Krishna River, the holy Padukas of Shripada Vallabha, and the simple natural surroundings create an atmosphere of devotion and surrender. It is believed that anyone who visits this sacred island with faith and humility will be blessed with good health, peace of mind, and spiritual progress.
