Sri Datta Kshetra
Today is Datta Jayanti
Sri Datta Kshetra- Ganagapura
Shri Kshetra Ganagapur , a holy place of Lord Dattatreya is situated at 40 kms from Gulbarga (Kalaburgi) in Karnataka. It is on the banks of River Bhima. Sangam, where holy confluence of Bhima and Amaraja rivers take place is very nearby. This place is associated with Shri Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy, second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, born in Karanjapur, Vidarbha region of Maharashtra (1378 – 1458). According to GURU CHARITRA, even today Lord Dattatreya takes biksha at Gangagapur at 12 noon. In the Temple the
padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy are worshipped that are known as `Nirguna Padukas’.
Birth of Lord Dattatreya
Dattatreya had descended into the realm of world as progeny of Atri and Anusuya, a sage couple of the Vedic age. Anusuya (known for her Pativrata) became very famous for her devotion to her husband. She was the embodiment of chastity. Such was her spiritual power that, even hard earth turned soft and smooth for her as she walked about. This pious woman induced jealousy and envy in others, however, and the three Gods decided to prove these doubting elements how wrong they were.
They transformed themselves into mendicants, approached the hermitage of sage Atri and begged for alms. At that time sage Atri was away at the river offering his daily oblations. Anusuya came out and offered food to them. They made a strange request; the food be prepared and served to them by Anusuya, without clothes (nude). In the Indian tradition any ‘athithi‘ (guest) cannot be turned away, as they are considered to be an aspect of God. Hence she was placed in a dilemma. She smiled to herself and reflected thus: ‘I am totally purified by the long association with the holy sage Atri. What harm can the god of lust ever do to me? So I do fear nothing. As they have sought food from my hands, I look upon them as my own children and not as strangers and grown up men!’ Her thoughts – the thoughts of a pious and chaste person – instantly became reality; the elderly guests became babies!
Sage Atri on his return to the hermitage saw his wife Anusuya fondling three babies. Anusuya said “These children are the gift of God to us who have been childless so far”. Sage Atri was overjoyed and named them Datta, which means ‘given’. At this the three Gods reverted to their real forms and disclosed the truth. They extolled the power of chastity and purity of Anusuya which vanquished the combined and colossal powers of all three of them. Sage Atri and Anusuya prayed that they should remain as their sons. They consented and the three Gods merged into one body.
This is how Shri Dattatreya incarnated and is known as Gurudeva Datta – the Guru of all Gurus.
The aspirations of Datta devotees who worship him at Ganagapur Kshetra with true love, faith and dedication will be fulfilled. The miraculous experiences of such will ever remain hidden in the devotees own hearts. This is true even today also and devotees are getting experiences of Lord Datta’s presence at Ganagapur Kshetra. Mentally retarded people and people who are suffering from chronic deceases are coming to this place and getting cured from their sad feelings. The trouble of spirits and ghosts vanishes and one can get peace of mind with the darshan of Swamy Padukas at this Kshetra.
