Shri Kshetra Gangapur Dattatreya temple is near Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), Karnataka. It is dedicated to Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Dattatreya. The temple is a Guru Sthan, and people flock to it in large numbers to observe the rich culture and tradition associated with it.
Gangapur Dattatreya Temple History
Narasimha Saraswati Swami, Lord Dattatreya’s reincarnation, was born in Lad Karanja in Maharashtra in the fourteenth century. The saint spent his last twenty years in Gangapur. At the time of his leaving or Antardhan he promised his devotees and the people of Gangapur at large that “Vasathi Rani Sangamase Jate Nithya Bikshese Taya Vare Ganagapurase Madhyana Kaala Pareyasa.” “You need not worry. I shall abide at this Ganagapur kshetra secretly. I shall bathe in the Bheema-Amaraja Sangam river in the morning. In the mid-day, I shall visit the Ganagapur mutt, receive Biksha in this village, and accept your worship. From the viewpoint of the public, I am leaving this place. My living presence will be experienced by anyone who bathes in the Bheema-Amaraja Sangam and takes the darshan of my Padukas here. I will receive pooja at this Kshetra in the form of Padukas”. To this day, people believe in the efficacy of the words of the saint.
About the Temple
Shri Kshetra, or the Gangapur Dattatreya Temple, is a Darshaneeya Kshetra (must-visit temple). The temple is a powerful abode on the banks of the Bheema River in Afzalpur taluka in the Gulbarga district of Karnataka. People pray to Dattatreya here with faith and devotion to cure mental illness and chronic diseases. Also, devotees are also freed from the clutches of black magic and evil spirits.
Religious practices in the temple
Holy dip in the Sangam
Taking a holy dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the Bheema and Amaraja rivers is very auspicious. Hence, it will free one from sins and grant boons. People worship the Nirguna Padukas of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami in this temple, where he performed religious rites and rituals.
The Sacred Audumbar (Fig) Tree
There is also a sacred Adumbur tree where the saint Narasimha Swami meditated for years. Pilgrims take a dip in the Sangam, offer prayers, and also prostrate to this tree.
Bhasma, or the sacred ash
According to popular belief, Lord Vishnu is said to have performed penance and Yagna here. Hence, there is a mound of ashes (Bhasma) associated with the belief. After offering prayers before the Fig tree, people apply the sacred ash from the mound on themselves. The holy ash, or Bhasma, is believed to ward off dark energies. Furthermore, people also carry some of the ashes to their homes.
Nirguna Padukas
The Nirguna Padukas are kept in the Niruguna Matha (the Dattatreya temple). After applying the Bhasma, or the sacred ash, devotees offer prayers to the Nirguna Padukas. The Nirguna Padukas have healing powers. Devotees then read Guru Charita for three to seven days to get their desires fulfilled.
Madhyanha aarti
A special mention has to be made of the Madhyanha aarti just before noon, during which devotees are freed of evil spirits.
People attribute numerous accounts of miraculous experiences associated with this place of worship. Guru Poornima and many other festivals are celebrated in this temple.
Gangapur Dattatreya Temple Timings
The Gangapur Dattatreya temple is open from 3 AM to 9 PM daily.
Gangapur Dattatreya Temple Accommodation
Accommodation in Gangapur includes private hotels and lodges for devotees to stay. Since Gangapur is a small village, there are no three-star or five-star accommodations. Prior bookings ought to be made during the festival seasons, Poornima, Amavasya, and on Thursdays.
How to reach the Gangapur Dattatreya temple
By Air
The nearest Airport is the Kalaburagi Airport at Gulbarga or Kalaburagi, about 38 KM from the Dattatreya temple. From here, people can hire cabs to reach the temple.
By Train
The nearest railway station to the Gangapur Dattatreya temple is the Gangapur Road Railway Station, which is 21 KM. There are many trains from the railway station at Gulbarga, which is about 40 KM from the temple. People can take buses or rickshaws from the station to reach the temple.
By Road
Karnataka state transport buses run every two hours between 6 AM and 6 PM from Gulbarga to the Dattatreya temple.
Gangapur Dattatreya temple address
Deval Ganagapur,
Afzalpur Taluk,
Ganagapura,
Karnataka 585212
To conclude, the Dattatreya temple at Gangapur is a must visit for pilgrims for the fulfillment of wishes.