Today is Datta Jayanti
Sri Kshetra Ganagapura is located around 40 km from Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) in Karnataka, near the sacred confluence (Sangam) of the Bhima and Amaraja rivers. The entire village is considered holy because of the divine association with Lord Dattatreya and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya and houses the sacred Nirguna Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy, the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. As written in Guru Charitra, the Lord still visits Ganagapura every day at noon to accept bhiksha, and devotees believe that the Padukas radiate his living presence even today.
Lord Dattatreya was born to Sage Atri and Mata Anusuya, a devoted and virtuous couple of the Vedic age. To test Anusuya’s purity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva appeared as mendicants and asked her to serve them food without clothes. With the power of her chastity, she viewed them as children, and they immediately transformed into three babies. When Sage Atri returned, the Gods revealed the divine play and merged into a single child named Dattatreya—“Datta” meaning “given” and “Atreya” meaning “son of Atri.” Thus, Dattatreya became the combined embodiment of the Trimurti and the Guru of all Gurus.
The temple follows a simple traditional Deccan-style architecture with stone walls, a tall entrance, an inner mandapa, and a sanctum where the Padukas are placed. The temple complex includes smaller shrines, a meditation hall, and spaces where devotees sit for seva and bhajana. The spiritual vibration of the place is considered more important than ornamental architecture.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy lived in Ganagapura during the 14th–15th century and performed numerous miracles, uplifted devotees, and strengthened the Datta tradition. After he left his physical form, his disciples installed his Nirguna Padukas at this sacred site, turning Ganagapura into one of the most important Dattatreya pilgrimage centers in India.
When Sri Narasimha Saraswati reached Ganagapura with his disciples, he chose the place as his karmabhoomi and declared the Sangam of Bhima and Amaraja equal to Prayag. He introduced Madhukari Bhiksha—collecting small portions of food from at least five homes—to cultivate humility and surrender. Before departing, he gave a divine assurance that his spiritual presence would remain in Ganagapura forever, and that anyone who performs Sangama Snana, Madhukari, Paduka Pooja, and Guru Charitra Parayana would receive his direct blessings. Even today, devotees experience healing, miracles, peace of mind, and signs of the Lord’s invisible presence.
Datta Jayanti is the grandest festival celebrated with huge crowds and elaborate pujas. Guru Poornima, Kartik Deepotsava, Magha Pournami, and all Thursdays are also observed with special rituals, Paduka abhishekam, and Guru Charitra parayanas.
Ganagapura is revered as a living Datta Kshetra, where Sri Dattatreya continues to bless devotees through his sacred Padukas and divine presence. Performing Sangama Snana, Madhukari, Paduka Darshan, and Guru Charitra Parayana is believed to remove karmic burdens, heal suffering, and grant peace, making this temple a powerful pilgrimage for Datta devotees.
