Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Shri Shri Bharati Teerth Mahaswami Visits Shri Kshetra Ganagapur - An Article Extracted from www.sringeri.net

The Jagadguru arrived at Ganagapura of Gulbarga District and was taken in  a procession after a traditional welcome to the temple where Sri Adi Shankara, Sri Sharadamba and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Murtis are installed. On the way the Jagadguru had Darshan of the Paduka at the holy shrine of Sri Datta Nirguna matha. The Jagadguru gave Ashirvachanam in the temple premises, had Darshan of the deities and performed Sri Chandramoulishwara Puja there. In the Ashirvachanam the Jagadguru Said Ganagapura is a famous Datta Kshetram and is renowned as the Tapobhoomi of Sri Narasimha Saraswati, an avatara of Lord Dattatreya. The Jagadguru expressed joy at being in Ganagapura for the fourth time.

The Jagadguru said that just as Lord Dattatreya, Sripaada Srivallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati are revered in the Datta Sampradaya, so too is Sri Adi Shankaracharya revered. As Sri Narasimha Saraswati himself revered Sri Adi Shankaracharya, And hence all followers in the Datta Sampradaya have adored Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Prathishta of the Murtis of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Goddess Sharada and Sri Narasimha Saraswati at the Ganagapura Datta Kshetram is testimony to this fact.

The Jagadguru said that it was due to the Sankalpa of God and the earnest desire of the Archakas at Ganagapura that he had come to Ganagapura. The Archakas having utmost Shraddha and Bhakti felt that the Sringeri Jagadguru must visit Ganagapura once again to offer Puja to the Nirguna Padukas. The following day, early in the morning, the Jagadguru offered Puja to the Nirguna Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswati. Devotees from various parts of the country who had flocked to Ganagapura for the occasion witnessed this divine sight, and returned home after having the Jagadguru’s Darshan and the Datta Paduka Darshan.

The next day (19 March 2014), early in morning, the Jagadguru performed an elaborate Puja at Sri Dattatreya Devasthana/Nirgun Math. The Jagadguru then visited the Sri Kalleshwara swami temple and Sri Narasimha Saraswati swami temple on the banks of  Bhima & Amara Sangama. Then the Jagadguru gave Darshan, Phala Mantrakshata and Tirtha Prasada to the devotees and departed from Ganagapura in the evening.

The Jagadguru after having Darshanam of Nirguna Padukas of Lord Datta at Nirgun Math

Special puja in Ganagapura

On the Morning of 19th Mar 2014, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji arrived at the holy Nirgun Math by 7′o clock and performed elaborate Pooja to the Nirguna Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswati swami who is considered as second avatar of Lord Dattatreya. Then the Archakas of that temple performed Padapuja and conducted Guruvandanam programme. As part of the program, the Jagadguru instructed the Pandits of the Math to chant the Gurupaduka stotram, written by the 33rd Jagadguru, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji.

Importance of Guru Paduka Poojan at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

In Our Sanatana Dharma we have various aspects of Worshipping the Almighty. The Absolute Brahman which our Vedas declare to be Formless and Attribute Less is Worshipped by us in the form of Deities with Form and Attributes. Guru has a Special Importance in our Sanatana Dharma as he is believed to be the one who ultimately guides us towards Salvation (Moksha). So the Worship of the Gurus Feet is considered to be More Efficient than the Worship of Various Deities itself.

Lord Dattatreya is considered to be the Guru of All Gurus and that's why revered to be the Adi Guru. He is believed to have been Guru to the Eminent Disciples like King Yadu, Lord Parashuram, King Prahlad, Kartiveerya Sahasrarjuna etc and also to be the Guru to the famous Navanath Sect. In the recent times the Followers of Datta Sampradaya also include many Great Saints of Warkari Sampradaya like Saint Eknath and his Guru Swami Janardhana. Sant Tukaram also has sung the Praise of Lord Dattatreya in many of his Abhangs. The Famous Aarti Pada of Lord Dattatreya Trigunatmaka Trimurti is the Composition of Sant Eknath. There are also Famous Abhangs by Sant Tukaram like “Teen Shire Saha Hath” and many more. The Devotees of Lord Dattatreya are spread over the Whole Country especially in the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. 

Lord Dattatreya, the Adiguru descended to this Earth in the Form of Two Incarnations namely Shripada Sri Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati. Shri Narasimha Saraswati took up Sanyasa at very tender age and roamed the length and width of Our Country and then he finally Settled down at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur where he Stayed on for a Period of 24 Years. While Proceeding to Shrishailyam for Avatar Samapti the Compassionate Guru kept his Nirguna Padukas at Ganagapur and asked the people to Worship the Padukas thrice a day. Nirguna Padukas are called so because the Padukas are Attributeless and Formless (Nirguna Nirakara) representing the Absolute Brahman. He assured everyone that One will be relieved of all Kinds of Problems by Worship of his Nirguna Padukas at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur. Pilgrims visiting Ganagapur thus worship the Padukas and get their desires fulfilled. Numerous are the Instances quoted in Shri Guru Charitra where people afflicted with some diseases or Suffering of Various Ailments who Visited Shri Guru were Cured of them.The Guru is still Blessing all the Devotees Visiting Ganagapur daily from across the World. Such is the Importance of Worship of Guru Paduka at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur.

Poojas (Archane) / Sevas & Abhishekam to be Performed at Sri Datta Kshetra Ganagapur

Below is the List of Sevas / Poojas that one can Perform at Shree Kshetra Ganagapur :

• Panchopachar / Alankara and Maha Pooja to the Nirgun Padukas of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Dattatreya Maharaj.
• Keshar Lepan Puja to Nirguna Padukas of Shri Datta Guru : In this Seva devotees will get the Kesara Lepan (Saffron Paste) applied to Swamis Padukas as the Prasadam after Pooja. This Kesara Prasad is the Main Prasad of Shri Kshetra Ganagapur.
• Rudrabhisheka to the Shivalingam in the Temple Premises / Abhisheka hall.
• Shree Gurucharitra Parayan for Spiritual and Material Well Being of the Devotees. This Seva Can be done for 1week, 2weeks 7weeks.. etc
• Madhukari Seva : Offering Alms (Bhiksha) to the People as it is still believed that Datta Maharaj himself accepts Bhiksha at Gangapur in the Afternoon Time.
• Nandadeep seva (for Deepa's in the Garbha Gruha) for the Material and Spiritual well being. This Seva can be done for specified period of time like 1week, 2weeks, a month etc...
• Pallaki Seva (Palanquin of Lord Datta) : This Seva is done in the evening from 7.30-8.30pm and the devotees can have the Darshan of the Utsav Murti of Lord Datta and participate in the Pallakhi Seva.
• Sarva Seva (Includes all the Sevas from Morning to Night)
• Other Sevas like Naivedya to Lord Datta, Datta Homam, Laghu Rudra etc Can be done. For More details about the Concerned Seva please Contact at 9035479569

Dushera (Dasara) Celebrations at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur

The Celebration of Dushera Festival also takes place very Grandly at Ganagapur. The Tenth Day after Navartri Falling in the Month of October, this is also the Samadhi Day of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. The Celebration at Ganagapur takes place by the way of Pallakhi Procession in the Kshetra. The Utsav Murti of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati will be kept in the Pallakhi and is Carried to Kalleshwar Mandir at around 5pm. As the Token of Wishing Prosperity Devotees Mutually offer a Leaf called Semipathri. after the Poojan to the Shami Tree at Kalleshwar. On the way back to the Nirguna Math the Villagers and the People of Priest Community offer Aarti to the Lord in Pallakhi. The Palakhi reaches back at around 8pm.

Shri Gurudeva Datta !

Sri Datta Navaratra and Magha Utsavam (Celebration of Shrishailyagamana of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj) at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur

This Day is Famous as the Day of Ganagapur Yatra and the Festival (Jatra Utsav) too is Considered to be the Biggest of its Kind. The Jatra Mahotsavam takes place in a Large Scale as the Devotees from Various Parts of the Country rush to Ganagapur on this day. The Magha Utsav is the Same to Ganagapur as is Ashada Ekadashi to Pandharpur.

The Celebration of Datta Navratra begins on Magha Shuddha Pratipada and is celebrated till the Pournima and the Jatra Mahotsavam begins on the Day of Magha Pournima. The Utsav is celebrated for 5 days then.

On the Day of Pournima there will be No Poojan of the Padukas after the Morning Worship and at the evening there will be Special Aarti performed to the Lord Datta.

The Next Day , the Magha Vadya Pratipada is the Important Day of Celebration and there will be Yati Pooja in the Maha Mantap at around 3pm indicating the Pooja done by the Disciples to Shri Guru while he was leaving for Kardali Vanam on a Flower Seat. There will be Annadanam and Distribution of Prasadam at the Keshava Temple nearby.

On the Next Two Days also there will be Prasada Distribution at the Keshwava Temple.
On the Fourth Day is Celebrated the Gopal Kalwa marking end of the Jatra Mahotsav. On this Day at around 12pm, the Pallakhi of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati will be taken to the Rudra Pada Teerth where all the Pilgrims take a Holy Dip.The Palakhi returns back to the Temple till 4pm and there will also be Prasada Distribution at the Keshava Temple.

Deepavali Celebrations at Shri Datta Kshetra Ganagapur

Naraka Chaturdasi which falls on Ashwija Bahula Chaturdasi (Month of October) during Deepavali festival marks the jubilant celebrations in Gangapur Dattatreya temple in Karnataka. On this day, thousands of devotees take holy bath in ‘Ashta Tirthams’ around Ganagapur Sri Kshetra temple. Ashta Tirthams are eight holy spots along the Bheema River that are sanctified by Sri Narasimha Saraswathi Swami Maharaj.

‘Dandi’ representing Swami Nrisimha Saraswathy leads the way of devotees for Punya Snan in Ashta Tirthams of Gangapur. Devotees perform holy bath in Ashta tirthams in order. The Devotees start having their Holy Dip at Shatakula Teerth at Sanagam and then Narasimha Teerth, Bhagirathi Teerth, Papa Vinashini Teerth, Koti Teerth, Rudrapada Teerth, Chakra Teerth and finally at the Manmatha Teerth near Kalleshwara Temple.

Shri Gurudeva Datta !

Sri Datta Jayanti Celebrations at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple (Nirgun Math)

The Most Celebrated Festival of the Datta Sampradaya “Shri Datta Jayanti” is celebrated with Great Devotion and Enthusiasm at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur. This Occasion particularly attracts a large number of Devotees from all over the Country as Ganagapur is considered to be the headquarter of the Datta Sampradaya. Lord Dattatreya is the 1^st Incarnation of the Trinity God viz., Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Story of Datta Avatar can be seen in the 4^th Adhyay of Shri Guru Charitra.

The Datta Jayanti Celebrations takes place at Ganagapur for  Two Days.

On the First Day (Margashirsha Shuddha Chaturdasi), the Cradle Ceremony will be Celebrated in the Nirgun Math (Datta Mandir) Premises at around 12pm. Crowds of Devotees gather in the Temple Premises since Morning to have a Holy Glimpse of Lord Dattatreya. After the Celebrations the Routine Activities are carried on.

The Second Day (Margashirsha Pournima) is the Day of Rathotsava and the Utsav Murti of Lord Dattatreya mounted on the Rath (chariot) will be taken out in a Procession till the Hanuman Temple at the East of the Nirgun Math and after Performing Mangala Aarti to Lord Hanuman the Rath is taken back to the Nirgun Math.

There will be Annadan and Distribution of Prasadam on both the Days.

As this is the Most Important Festival of the Datta Sampradaya , there will be a huge crowd of Devotees at Ganagapur. Devotees visiting must therefore ensure that they book the Accommodation and Pooja well in advance.

The Grand Celebration of Gouri Hunvi or Kartika Pournima at Sri Datta Kshetra Ganagapur

The Kartika Pournima is Celebrated because it was on this Day that the Demon Tripura who conquered all the 3 Worlds was Killed by Lord Shiva. And it is Known as Deva-Diwali also.

The Celebration at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur also has an Additional Reason and which can be Seen in the 47^th Adhyay of Shri Guru Charitra and is as below :

While Shri Guru was at Ganagapur once during Deepavali Devotees from Nearby Villages came to Math and requested Shri Guru to Visit their Village.But Shri Guru asked them to Mutually decide as to whose place should he Visit, the Disciples started to argue within themselves and thus the Kind Shri Guru decided to Satisfy all and called each of them separately and said that he would Visit him only and that not to say this to anyone. The Day of Dhanatrayodhashi arrived and the Great Compassionate Shri Guru assumed 8 Forms and Visited each of them and also stayed at Ganagapur.
Later during the Kartika Pournima all the Disciples again gathered at the Math for the Occasion of Deeparadhana and each of them Started Saying that Shri Guru Visited  them during Deepavali and started showing the Things they gave to Shri Guru. Thus everyone Realised that Shri Guru assumed 8 Forms to Bless all of them.

This Occasion was Grandly Celebrated by them and this continues to be Celebrated till this Very Day and is One of the Major Festival at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur.

Celebration :  On the First Day the Palakhi of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj leaves Nirgun Math at around 12pm and is taken to the Bhima-Amarja Sangam with a Single Stop at Vishranti Katta. Devotees are allowed to take the Darshan till 10pm. At around 9pm the Aarti starts and continues for an Hour after which at 10pm the Palakhi leaves Sangam and reaches  Nirgun Math at around 12.30. On the way Bhajans are done in front of the Palakhi. The Palakhi stops at 2 Places for a while i.e Vishranti Katta (The Place where Shri Guru used to Relax) and the Sati Katta (where the Young Lady Savitri from Mahur found her Husband Dead). All through the way after Sati Katta the Womens of the Village offer Aarti to Shri Guru.

On the Second Day, the Pournima Day, the Palakhi leaves Nirgun Math at around 1.30 and is taken to Sangam with a Single Stop at Vishranti Katta. Devotees  are allowed to have Darshan of Shri Guru all the Day.The Day is Marked with its Celebration by the way of Vana Bhojana. The Villagers and Visitors carry their Food Items to Sangam, exchange and partake the food and thus its called "Vana-bhojan". After this at around 8pm the Aarti Starts which continues for 2 Hours and at around 10pm the Palakhi heads back towards Nirgun Math. After the Usual stop at Vishranti Katta, the Palakhi reaches Sati Katta where the Villagers and Visitors take Darshan of the Lord for 2 Hours. The Thrilled Villagers starts Performing Dances and Dandiya (which continues till Morning) and the Palakhi then Slowly heads towards Math. The Villagers Come out in the Mid Night to Offer Aarti to the Lord and then Finally Palakhi reaches Nirgun Math at around 5.30am after which the Daily Routine starts with the Morning Pooja after a break of half an hour.

Celebration of Guru Pournima at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur

What is Guru Purnima?

The Full Moon Day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. The credit of composing the authentic treatise of Brahma-sootras to explain the background of Vedas goes to him Bhagwan Vyasa was not only believed to be been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami and ends on this day, hence their recitations as a dedication to him, are organised on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa Pournima will be celebrated Grandly in Basar ( the Place of Goddess Saraswati) where Bhagwan Vyasa lived in the Gufa after Mahabharat War.

Celebration at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur

Datta Parampara has Great Importance in the Guru Parampara as Lord Dattatreya is the Guru of Gurus. As the Kshetradhipati of Sri Kshetra Ganagapur Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati was a Sanyasi belonging to the Sringeri Shankara Parampara, the Celebration of Guru Pournima has its own Importance at Ganagapur. Vyasa Pournima is celebrated in Shri Kshetra Ganagapur by all the Priests by the way of  Performing Vyasa Pooja at 11am in the Maha Mantapam of the Temple. Devotees have the Divine Darshanam of Nirguna Paduka and also bow to Bhagwan Veda Vyasa.

Significance of Guru Purnima

The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness.Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Only he who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on to the path of God-realization is the true Guru (Gukaaro Andhakaarasya, Rukarasthannirodhakaha). On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'. The Period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

Celebration of Shravana Masa and Shiva Poojan at Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Temple

Shravana Masa is Celebrated Very Grandly every year at Shri Datta Kshetra Ganagapur. Every Morning at 8am the Kshetra Pujaris gather at the Maha Mantapa of the Temple and Panchamruta Poorvaka Rudrabhisheka will be Performed. Then 3 Pradakshinas of the Temple will be done along with the Chanting of the Holy Life History of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati in the Form of the Marathi Song “Madhava Patni Amba Udaradi Janmuni Karanja Nagari Re”.
After this Maha Mangalarati will be offered to the Lord with the Chanting of the Kannada Songs “Mangaladaruti Guruvigadu Shubha Mangaladaruti Swamigadu”, “Swami Narasimha Saraswatige Mangala” and other Songs.
The Program takes around 2 hours and then Devotees will be then given Panchamruta and Prasadam at the Temple. On Mondays the Program takes Place at around 3.30pm. Everyday at Night after the Daily Routines at around 10pm Bhajanas will be conducted by singing the Devotional Songs. Visiting Shri Kshetra Ganagapur during Shravana Masa and Performing Shiva Poojan and Datta Upasana is Considered to be of Great Importance. For any Further Guidance for the Poojas/Sevas Kindly Contact Us.

Darshanam and Pooja (Abhishekam) Timings at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

The Darshan of the Deity at Ganagapur Temple starts early at 3am only after the Kakada Aarti has been performed. The Temple is open to devotees for the whole day till 9pm. Devotees can have the Darshan of Nirguna Padukas till 7am after which the Padukas will be kept for the Pooja by Pilgrims. The Pooja by the Pilgrims start at 7am and almost continues till 2pm except for an hour in between during which the Maha Naivedya will be offered to the Lord (Around 12pm-1pm). The Pallakhi Utsav starts at around 8pm after the completion of which the temple will be Closed.

The Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri “Sri Sri Bharati Teerth Mahaswami Visits Sri Kshetra Ganagapur”

The Jagadgurus Shobha Yatra till Nirgun Math

The Jagadguru of Sringeri Maha Samsthanam Sri Sri Bharati Teerth Mahasami Visited Ganagapur during his Vijay Yatra in South on 18^th March 2014.  The Jagadguru was accorded a Grand Welcome by the Villagers and specially by the Temple Priests with the Poorna Kumbha Swagata at the Entrance near Hanuman Temple. Then there was the Grand Shobha Yatra till the Nirgun Math where the Jagadguru had the Darshanam of Lord Dattatreya. 

The Jagadguru Performing Chandramoulishwara Pooja at Ganagapur Shankara Math

The Jagadguru then moved to the Adi Shankaracharya Math on the Sangam Road where he received the Pada Puja. The Jagadguru then Spoke about the Importance of Sri Kshetra Ganagapur among all the Datta Kshetras and emphasized that one should not see any difference between Sri Dattatreya and Adi Shankara Bhagwatpada. The Jagadguru recalled about his earlier visits to Ganagapur on 3 Occassions and highlited the Sanctity of the Datta Kshetra Ganagapur. He also appreciated the work of the Priests who had built a Shankara Math here and had the shrines built for Sri Sharadamba , Sri Adi Shankara Bhagwatpada and Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati. The Jagadguru then Performed the Famous Chandramoulishwara Pooja at the Shankara Math.

The Jagadguru at Nirgun Math Ganagapur after delivering Anugraha Bhashanam

On 19^th Morning, the Jagadguru performed Special Pooja to the Nirguna Padukas of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati. This was followed by the Padapuja to His Holiness performed by the Archakas of the Temple. The Jagadguru then delivered an Anugraha Bhashanam at the Temple in which he explained how the Same God has Manifested himself at Several Kshetras like Lord Shiva at Varanasi,  Lord Rama at Rameshwaram and so on. He said the Same Lord has manifested at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur as Lord Dattatreya , Sripada Sri Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati.The Jagadguru then explianed the Importance of Maintaining Purity and Spirituality at Teertha Kshetras. He explained as Shri Narasimha Saraswati belongs to the Parampara of Sringeri which flows from Sri Vidyaranya, he said all the followers of Datta Sampradaya are originally the Followers of Sri Sringeri Shankara Math also. He then blessed the Temple Priests who he said are the Ardent devotees of Sringeri Jagadgurus and the devotion of whom made him Visit Sri Kshetra Ganagapur again.

The Jagadguru then Proceeded to Sangam where he had Darshan of  Lord Dattatreya, the Audumbara Tree and Lord Sangameshwara. He then moved to Afzalpur in the Evening after blessing all the People of Ganagaapur.

Shri Gurudeva Datt !