Detailed Info about Shri Kshetra
Ganagapur ;
Shri Kshetra Ganagapur, One of the Most Famous Dattatreya
Peethas, is associated with Shri Narasimha Sarasvati Swami, an incarnation of
Lord Dattatreya. It stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluka in
Gulbarga district of Karnataka.
Nirgun Math :
The Main Temple in Ganagapur where Shri Guru Narasimha
Saraswati used to Stay about 550 years ago is known as Nirgun Math. This
Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas.There is a Holy Tree of
Ashwattha in the Temple (Nirgun Math). Shri Kshetra Ganagapur is a Holy Place
of Lord Dattatreya and the place is very important “Darshaneeya kshetra”.
The Kshetra Importance was explained by Shreeguru and it can
be seen in “Shree Guru Charitra”. There is an Assurance from Shreeguru that he
would forever abide at Ganagapur and go round the village for ‘Biksha’ at 12:00
noon is literally true even today. Offering “Madhukari” to the people at
Ganagapur and taking Biksha from atleast 5 houses is having very importance at
this Holy Place. Even today also, the process is continuing and the devotees
are having faith that Lord Dattatreya is taking biksha everyday at Kshetra
Ganagapur. Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Swamy confirmed the same and it can be
seen in Gurucharitra Adhyay (chapter) 21-22.
Shri Guru's Words to
All His Devotees :
Vasathi Rani Sangamase Jate Nithya Bikshese Taya Vare
Gangapurase Madyana Kala Pareyasa.
Sangam Mandir at
Ganagapur :
Sangam Kshetra is a Meeting Point of Bheema and Amaraja
Rivers. Sangam is like Prayaga. Lord Sangameshwara at the Sangameshwara Temple
here is like Mallikarjuna at Shrishailyam (as said by Shri Guru himself while
explaining the Importance of Ashta Teertha). The Importance of Sangam was
explained by Shreeguru and it can be seen in Shree Gurucharitra. Who ever takes
a bath in Sangam, he/she will free from his sins and his wishes will be
fulfilled. There is a Temple in Sangam in which the Shree Narasimha Saraswati
Swamy performed the anusthana (The Main Temple of Trimurti). The `Shila
Padukas' of Swamy are here.
Audumbar Tree at
Sangam :
The Audumbar Tree is situated at Sangam of river Bheema
& Amaraja and is Extremely Holy. In shelter of Audumbar Tree many devotees
Perform the Parayan of Shree Gurucharitra. (Reading of Shree Guru Charitra).
History of Audumbar
Tree:
Once a Brahmin `Narahari' by name came to Shri Guru at
Ganagapur and bowing to him said, `My life is futile. I studied Yajurveda, but
as I am suffering from leprosy. All people despise me and do not invite for
Karma. I have visited several holy places but the disease is there, kindly
bless me.' Shri Guru gave him a dry log of Audumbar and said, `Go to the Sangam
and plant it on the bank of Bhima in the east. After bath,worship Ashwattha at
the Sangam. Again bathe and give water to this log thrice a day. When it
sprouts green foliage, your sins will be wiped off and you will be free from
leprosy. As instructed by Shri Guru, Narahari planted the log on the bank of
Bhima and began to water it thrice. Shri Guru went to the Sangam to see the
leper Brahmin. He was pleased to see his devotion. The Brahmin was giving water
to the log. Shri Guru sprinkled the holy water of his bowl on the log and
instantly green foliage sprouted on the log. The leprosy of the Brahmin
disappeared and his body became healthy and bright. Narahari bowed to Shreeguru
and began to pray him at that time. The 8 sloka stotra composed by Narahari
became famous and are being reciting in the temple at night even today also.
Each sloka ends with “VANDAYAAMI NAARASIMHA SARASWATHEESHA PAAHIMAAM”. The
stotra is now familiar as Narasimha Saraswati ashtaka. Shreeguru blessed
Narahari and said, whoever recite the sloka every day with full devotion, they
will get Ashta Aishwarya, Spiritual power, wealth, fame and noble offspring.
Ash Hill :
Ash Hill is nearer to Sangam and it is said that Lord
Parashurama has performed a Yagnya here and the Ash is of that Holy Yagnya.
Lord Parashurama performed penance at this place. The Ash is very Powerful and
have the Devotees coming here take some quantity with them.
Shree Kalleshwar
Mandir :
This is the Temple of Lord Shri Kalleshwar (Shiva) which is
quite famous in Ganagapur. It is Ancient then the Nirgun Muth in Ganagapur.
This Temple is considered as equivalent to Gokarna Mahabaleshwara (that we read
in shree Gurucharitra) and nearyby is one of the Ashta Teerth viz., Manmatha
Teertha. There are also Temples of Lord Shani, Panchamukhi
Ganesha,Navagraha,Maruti and Goddess Durga in the Premises. The Environment
here is Very Pleasant and Devotees coming to Ganagapur visit it at large no.
Ashta Teerthas (The Eight Holy Teerthas located at different points from Sangama to Ganagapur) :
On the day of Deepavali, Shri Guru said to the disciple, 'We
shall have bath at Trishali (3 Holy places i. e. Prayag, Kashi and Gaya ) with
family and children.
The disciple said, 'For such a long journey, we require some
time for preparations'. Shri Guru says 'These holy places are near about. So
there is no need for special preparation.'
Shri Guru then takes everyone to Sangam and asks them to
take bath in
(1) Shatakula Teerth
( Bhima-Amarja Sangam) and says that it is like Triveni Sangam of
Prayaga.He says how the River Amarja was emerged from the Nectar that fell down
from Indras Hands and hence Bath in this River Prevents Diseases and Untimely
Death.
Shri Guru then takes them to the Following Teerthas in the
Way to Ganagapur.
(2) Nrusimha Teerth :
The Bath in this Teerth and then worshipping Sangameshwara is like Worshipping
Shrishailya Mallikarjuna and this fulfills ones Wishes. This Teerth is in front
of the Sangam Mandir.
(3) Bhagirathi
(Varanasi) Teerth : The Bath in this Teerth is as Holy as Bath in
Manikarnika Kund at Kashi. It is because once a Shiva Bhakta Brahmin of
Bharadwaj Gotra Pleased Lord Shiva with his Devotion and when Lord Shiva
appeared he asked that he want to take bath in Manikarnika daily and have
Darshan of the Lord.Lord Shiva granted and a Kund was emerged there and it
joined the Bhima River here.
(4) Papavinashini
Teerth : As the name indicates, Bath in this Teerth Destroys all the Sins.
Shri Guru at this Teerth called his Sister Ratnai and Said, 'You had killed a
Cat with
a Stick and therefore you are having Leprosy. You bathe in
this Tirth daily and your disease will disappear.' As advised, she bathed here
for three days and her disease was wiped off.
(5) Koti Teerth :
A Bath in this Teerth is like taking bath in all the Teerth of Jambu Dweepa.
One should bathe here on Sankranthi, Grahan, Purnima and Amavasya and give a
cow with a calf in Charity. A Charity done here is equal to a Crore Charity.
(6) Rudrapada Teerth
: A Bath in this River is equivalent to a Bath in Gaya and Shraddha etc must be Performed here.
(7) Chakra Teerth :
A Dip in this Teerth is Even More Holy than the Bath in Dwaraka.
(8) Manmatha Teerth :
This Teerth is in front of the Kalleshwara Mandir. The Bath in this Teerth and
then worshipping Kalleshwara is like taking bath in Gokarna Teerth and
worshipping Mahabaleshwara.
Devotees coming to Ganagapur do the Ashta Teerth Snan at
Large Number. The Bath in Ashta Teertha's on Naraka Chathurdashi (in Diwali)
day is very powerful. Even the sins and doshas will be removed by having bath
in these Ashta Teerthas.
Importance Of
Ashwattha Tree:
There lived a 60 Year Old Women Called Ganga who used to
come to Shri Guru and bow to him devotedly every day. Shri Guru being pleased,
one day asked her,What do you desire? God will fulfill your desire. She said,
`Gurudev, a woman's life is futile without an issue. Without a son the home is
like a forest. Issueless persons go to hell. Please give me a boon so that I
will have a son at least in next life.' Shri Guru smiled and said, `Service to
the Ashwattha will not be futile. There is an Ashwattha tree at the Bhima
Amarja sangam. I am present there after the bath in the river. Therefore
worship the Ashwattha devotedly. The greatness of Ashwattha is narrated in the
Puranas. Brahmadev is at its root, Vishnu is in its middle portion and the
Rudra is on its top and the Agni (fire god) lies in the interior of this tree.
In the months of Ashadha, Poush or Chaitra, when Guru and Shukra are not set,
when the moon is favorable on an auspicious day, observe fast and start
worshipping the Ashwattha. Do not touch the tree on Sunday, Sankranti and in
the evening. The floor at the root should be smeared by cow dung and have
Rangoli designs. Worship the Ashwattha thinking it as a Trimurti, with 16
upchars, then saying Purushsukta and observing `moun' take rounds of the tree.
Two lakhs rounds destroy even the sin of Brahmahatya. The Ashwattha gives four
purusharthas. He also fulfills the desire of a son. Recitation of Mrityunjaya
sitting at the Ashwattha on Saturday avoids accidental death and gives long
life. One gets credit of feeding several Brahmins, if one Brahmin is fed under
this tree. If one Ashwattha tree is grown, 42 generations are liberated; but if
one Ashwattha is cut, it is a great sin performed. Home performed under the
tree gives credit of a great sacrifice. Do Homa of one tenth of the number of
rounds and feed Brahmins and give golden Ashwattha in c7ytharity. She started
worshipping Ashwattha as advised by Shri Guru. On the third day, she had a
dream. A Brahmin told her to go to Shri Guru at Ganagapur, have seven rounds of
Shri Guru and take the prasad that is given to her and that her desire will be
fulfilled. She awoke. On the fourth day she went to Shri Guru and had 7 rounds.
Shri Guru gave her 2 fruits and said, `Eat these fruits. Your desire will be
fulfilled.' She then completed her vrata of the worship of Ashwattha, After 9
months she begot a daughter. Later on she had a son who became learned and won
fame.
Shri Shri Shri Adi
Shankaracharya Math :
Recently on 25/06/2011, there had been the Grand
Inauguration of Shri Adi Shankaracharya Math and there are the wonderful Idols
of Shri Adi Shankaracharya , Goddess Sharadamba and Shri Guru Narasimha
Saraswati. This Place is on the Ganagapur-Sangam Road (beside the Gulvani
Maharaj Ashram) and can be easily visited.
Other Places at Shri Kshetra
Ganagapur :
Vishranti Katta :
This is the Place on the way to Sangam. It is the Place
where Shri Guru used to Relax while going to Sangam and while returning. It is
in the Farm of the Farmer to whom Shri Guru blesses with Huge Yield of Crops
even in the Scarcity and the Same can be Seen in Adhyay 48 of Shri Guru
Charitra.
Shri Chakreshwar and
Shri Keshav Dev Mandir :
These temples are beside the Chakra Teerth and are very near
to the Nirgun Math & can be reached by walk.
Sati Katta :
This is the Place where the Young women Savitri (From Mahur)
found her Husband Datta dead and started weeping. Later Shri Guru Revives his
Life when the women visits Sangam for the Darshan of Shri Guru. The Story can
be seen in the Adhyay 30 of Shri Guru Charitra. Even this Place is very near to
the Nirgun Math.
Tantukeshwara Mandir
:
This is the Temple where Tantuk, a Weaver to whom Shri Guru
took to Shri Shailyam on Maha Shivratri within some Moments (In Adhyay 44),
used to Worship Lord Shiva. This Place is in front area of the Nirgun Math and
can easily be visited.
Lord Maruti Mandir
and Grama Devata Mandir :
There is the Temple of Lord Hanuman at the Agasi (Starting
Pt Of the Village) of the Village and also beside it is the Temple of Grama
Devata. This Place too is Very Near to Nirgun Math.
There are also Temples of Maha Laxmi nearby Nirgun Math and
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir on way to Sangam.
