Contents

Sri Kshetra Gangapur .................................................................................................................................... 2 Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj Darshan .......................................................................................... 6 Tuljapur Bhavani temple ............................................................................................................................... 7 Pandharpur ................................................................................................................................................... 8

Page 1 of 8

Sri Kshetra Gangapur

Is one of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas Associated with Sri Narasimha Sarasvati Swami, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Sri Narasimha Saraswati lived in Gangapur continuously for a period of 24 years (from Guru Charitra). Stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluka in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. This Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. The water of the rivers Bhima and Amaraja, especially at the spot of their confluence, are considered extremely holy. There are Koti Theerthas there. The Aswatha Tree at Gangapur is as powerful as tha KalpaVriksha. Near the Aswatha Tree is Narasimha Teertha, and northwards to it are the PapaVinasini Teertha, Varanasi Teertha, Rudrapada Teertha, Chakra Teertha, Koti Teertha, manmadha Teertha etc. There is the Kalleshwara temple there. It is holy as Gokarna.", Places of Interest: I. Sangam: Sangam is a meeting point of Bheema and Amaraja rivers. Sangam is like Prayaga. The importance of Sangam was explained by Shreeguru and it can be seen in Shreegurucharitra. Who ever takes a bath in Sangam, he will free from his sins and his wishes will be fulfilled.Bath in Sangam in Kartheeka maasa, Maagha maasa, Makara sankranthi, poornima and Amaavashya days. II. OUDUMBAR TREE: The Oudumbar tree is situated at the place nearer to Sangam. After having bath in Sangam a mug/pot/bottle of Sangam water has to be takne and it should be poured a the root of famous Oudumbar tree. Do the pradakshina with a minimum of 11/21/108 rounds to the tree by chanting Datta nama DIGAMBARA DIGAMBARA SHREE PAADA VALLABHA DIGAMBARA. So many Sadhus/devotees are continuously doing Shreegurucharitra payara int he presence of the tree. One who perform Gurucharitra parayan with sapthaha deeksha at the premises of this oudumbar tree, he will definitely have the darshan of Lord Dattatreya in any form and their desires will be fulfilled. It is really true and even for today also. One who performs Guru Charitra Parayan with "Sapthaha deeksha" at the premises of this Audumbar tree, will definitely have the darshan of Lord Dattatreya in any form and their desires will be fulfilled. III. Kalleshwar temple: Kalleshwaralaya is nearer to Manmadha theertha i.e., one of the Ashta theerthas and is nearly 1 km from Swamy mutt. Auto and Taanga conveyance is there for Kalleshwar temple. The importance of Kalleshwar temple was also explained in Shree gurucharitra. Shree Swamy Mutt (Nirguna Padukas) The Main Mutt in Ganagapur where Shree Guru used to Stay 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). Shree 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. Page 2 of 8

IV.

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. Shree Guru Nrusimha Saraswathy Swamy confirmed the same and it can be seen in Gurucharitra Adhyay (chapter) 21-22. Shree Guru's Words to All His Devotees : Vasathi Rani Sangamase Jate Nithya Bikshese Taya Gangapurase Madyana Kala Pareyasa. V. Sangameshwaraalayam at Sangam : After worshipping Audumbar at Sangam, worship Sangameshwara in the Sangameshwaralaya temple with devotion. This Shivalinga is like Mallikarjuna of Srisailam. Bow to Nandi and Chandi and have 3 rounds like round from Nandi to Chandi and Chandi to Nandi back and have darshan of Lord Shankara. Ash Hill Ash hill is nearer to Sangam and it is said that there was a hill from which Ash came from the days of Lord Parashurama. Lord Parashurama performed penance at this place. The ash is very powerful and now it is in the form of Mud only. The wearing of ash by mixing with udhi is very powerful and it will protect those persons from DRISHTI doshas. If the ash is applied slightly everyday on the stomach part of pregnant ladies, then they will deliver a healthy child with some "Tejarupa". VII. Ashta Teerthas Nrusimha Teerth, Sreepada Teerth, Rudrapada Teerth, Bhagirathi Teerth, Paapa Nashaka Teerth,. Koti Teerth, Chakra Teerth Manmadha Teerth are termed as Ashta theerthas. The importance of bath in these Ashta teerthas is given in Shreegurucharitra. Some devotees are take bath everyday during their stay at Ganagapur and some are take atleast one time bath during their yatra period. Bath in Ashtateerthas in Poornima, Amaavasya, Karthika, Makara Sankramana, Naraka Chathurdashi days is very powerful. VIII. IX. Shirdi Saibaba ke Mutt - nearby to Nirugun Mutt and on the way to Sangam Vishranthi Katta Vishranti Katta is the Place on the way to Sangam from Ganagapur. It is the place where Shree Guru used to Relax while going to Sangam and while returning. This 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. X. Chinthamani Ganapathi The idol of Chinthamani Ganapathy can be seen in the inner side of Swamy Mutt. Shree guru gave instructions to disciples to have darshan of this Ganapathi in Ganagapur. Shri Shri Shri Adi Shankaracharya Mutt Recently on 25/06/2011, there had been the Grand Page 3 of 8

VI.

XI.

XII.

Inauguration of Shri Adi Shankaracharya Mutt 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. 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 Shree Guru. The Story can be seen in the Adhyay 30 of Shri Guru Charitra. Tantukeshwara Mandir This is the Temple where Tantuk, a Weaver to whom Shree Guru took to Srisailam 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.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

Lord Maruti Mandir and Grama Devata Mandir You have Temple of Lord Hanuman at the Agasi (Starting Pt Of the Village) of the Village and besides this temple you have Grama Devata. There are also Temples of Maha Laxmi nearby Nirgun Math and Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir on way to Sangam. How to reach Shree Kshetra Ganagapur Ganagapur Datta Mutt is situated at 22 kms from 'Ganagapur Road' (Railway Station Name) in Karnataka. Nearest City is Gulbarga at 40 kms (approx) Gangapur to Sholapur (Solapur) distance is around 95 kms (approx) Hyderabad to Ganagapur is 250 kms (approx) Mumbai to Ganagapur railway distance is 526 kms (approx) Mumbai to 'Ganagapur Road' direct and most convenient Train is 1013 Dn L.T.T. Kurla Terminus Coimbatore Express, which departs from Kurla Terminus at 10.10 PM & departs from Kalyan 11.15 in the night. It reaches Ganagapur at 8.08 AM on the next day morning. Hyderabad to 'Ganagapur Road' by car via Humnabad, Gulbarga, Ganagapur. Hyderabad to 'Ganagapur Road' by Bus Take bus to Gulbarga. There are many trains to Gulbarga. One can reach Gulbarga and take a bus to Ganagapur. It takes around 3 hours maximum to perform Pooja / Abhishek at Ganagapur by a family. If required Dinakar Bhatt Pujari (0 9060709999) can arrange for accommodation, food and stay. Nearest City is GULBARGA : 40 Kms. Gangapur to Sholapur Distance: 94 km (approx.) Gangapur to Sholapur bus travel time - 3 hours For performing Guru Paduka Pooja/Rudrabhishekam/Annadanam, kindly contact the Archak Mr.Govindbhat Gurubhat Pujari @ Near Chidanand Dharm Shala Temple Ganagapur-585 212. Gulbarga District Phone: 08470-274315 You may also contact Shrimaan Vilas Pujari / Sadashiv Pujari for performing Gurupaduka Pooja/Rudrabhishekam/Annadanam. About Accommodation: 1. Lot of private lodges in Ganagapur but do not expect 5 star hotels. Page 4 of 8

XVI.

2. Can stay @ Avadhoota Dattapeethams Sachidananda Ganapati Aashram, with prior permissions 3. Shri Dinakar Prabhakar Bhatt Pujari Mobile : 0 90607 09999 0 98800 23751 L andline - 08470-274346 Address: Samrudhi Nilayam Near Nirgun Mutt, Deval Ganagapur Taluka Afzal pur, Dist Gulbarga Pincode 585212 4. A lodge run by the Archak family of Devala Ganagapur,: Sri Gurudatta Lodge Ganagapur-585 212. Gulbarga District. Phone: 08470-274338

Page 5 of 8

Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj Darshan

Akkalkot is a Holy place of Shri.Swami Samarth Maharaj. It is located at a distance of 38 kms. by road from Solapur District headquarters. This Saint is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Dattatraya. The Samadhi of this Saint is worshipped by the devotees. The Death Anniversary is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi every year. Large number of devotees visit the place. The present temple is built around famous banyan tree. This is the same banyan tree sitting under which Shri.Swami Maharaj used to meditate and preach the followers. The temple consists of main temple, sabha mandap and accommodation. Annacchatra (free meals to devotees) is organized daily (two times in day) by temple authorities. There is Bhakta Niwas, recently built, for people who like to be comfortable, even during a pilgrimage. Here, the rooms all have attached bathrooms, and there are also large rooms for groups. The charges here start from Rs. 250. Both the complexes have a vegetarian restaurant on the premises. The food is both cheap as well as tasty. The Swami Samarth Samadhi Devasthan, the temple housing the Samadhi is a small and neat place, calm and tranquil, transporting one back to the days of yore when the swami was alive. If one reaches the temple before 11:30 AM, one can perform Abhishek and puja of the Padukas of the Swami for as little as Rs. 25 per person. It is worth it, as one is allowed into the sanctum sanctorum, and can see the Samadhi and the Padukas up close. After 11:30, the Padukas are decorated and kept for viewing only. In and around Akkalkot, there are other minor places of interest like the ashrams and samadhis of various disciples of Swami Samarth. These places are not as popular as the main temple, but are worth a visit simply because the places have been maintained quite well, and are exactly as they used to be, and one can still feel the atmosphere that comes from years of meditation and penance. The best way to visit all these places is to hire a local auto driver as a guide. The chaps are only too happy to take one around the village for 50 Rupees. Around 2 Km from Akkalkot is another place worth a visit for a traveler on a spiritual quest. The Shivpuri Ashram is a legacy of one of Swami Samarth's disciples, Shree Gajanan Maharaj (not the Gajanan maharaj of Shegaon), and his father, Shree Yogindra Maharaj. They were responsible for the revival of the ancient system of Agnihotra, or the maintenance of the sacred fire. The ashram is a serene place, with the Samadhi of the swamiji and his descendants and disciples. It is amazing how they have managed to popularize the age old concept of Agnihotra. The holy Samadhi of Shri. Swamiji is loacated in the house of shri. Cholappa in the place already reserved for it before his bodily demise. This is known as Samadhimath. The spiritual fearless slogan in marathi BHIU NAKOS MI TUJHYA PATHISHI AAHE (Dont fear, I am with you) is given by Shri. Samarth Swami Maharaj himself. The name of Akkalkot Maharaj Swami Samarth comes in Shirdi Saibaba's Sai Satcharitha. Hence, All the sai devotees must and should visit this holy place of Akkalkot without fail atleast once during their lifetime and get the blessings of the great Datta Avatar Shri. Swami Samarth.

Page 6 of 8

Tuljapur Bhavani temple

Tuljapur is very famous pilgrimage centre for its Tuljabhavani temple. It is situated in Osmanabad district in the state of Maharashtra. By air: The nearest airport is at Aurangabad, 257 kms away. By rail: The nearest railhead is Solapur on South Central Railway. By road: Bombay-Tuljapur 452 kms via Solapur. Aurangabad-Tuljapur 257 kms.Solapur-Tuljapur 40 kms. Osmanabad-Tuljapur 19 kms.Pune-Tuljapur 280 kms via Solapur The idol of the deity is the original idol (Swaymbhu Murti) which is made of Shaligram (black non perishable stone). The installation of the idol of deity is of 'Devipanchayatana' type. The idol is having eight hands. One hand is holding the hairs of a monster or Daitya and other hand contains Trishula or trident which is piercing the chest of the monster or Daitya. Below the leg of the idol lies Daitya or monster Mahishasura in whose chest the Trishula or trident appears to be inserted. This shows that the deity is killing the monster Mahishasura. On the right hand of the idol a lion is there which is 'Wahana' (vehicle of the deity on which the deity usually rides). Near the idol one can see the sage or Rishi Markendeya who is reciting Puranas or Hindu mythology. There is image of moon near the idol. One can see the image of sun on the right hand of the idol. In each hand of the idol one can see weapons or Ayudhas like Chakra, Gada, Trishula, Ankush, Dhanu, Pash. On the right side of the idol one can observe lady Anubhuti worshiping the deity. The lady Anubhati was the wife of Brahmin Kardama. Above the head of the idol there is small idol or 'Pindi' of lord Mahadeva. Also there is Swayanbhu Muguta or self immerged crown on the head of the deity.

Page 7 of 8

Pandharpur
Pandharpur is a holy place of Shri.Vitthal and Shri.Rukmini. It is also known as the Southern Kashi of India and Kuldaivat of Maharashtra State.

It is located at a distance of 72 kms by road. from Solapur District headquarters. The Pandharpur Railway Station falls on the Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur railway track. Pandharpur does not have railway station. Solapur Jn(SUR) is a nearby train station connected to Bangalore. Accommodation There is Bhakta Niwas for people who like to be comfortable. The charges here min Rs.300 approx. Book on Phone 8:00am 9:00pm (IST) Monday to Saturday Toll Free 18001027979, +919958891364 Places of Interest 1. Sant Kaikadi Maharaj Math - It is on the north side of the town. It is a modern innovation depicting the methoes of the epic Gods and Saints. It may It may take minimum two hours to see the entire Math. 2. Sant Tanapure Maharaj Math 3. Gujarathi Devsthan - It is on the other side of the river Bhima. The pilgrims have to cross the river and visit the Shrinathji Temple. Mookh Darshan For the devotees who cannot spare long hours in queues for Padsparshadarshana one can have the Mookhdarshan. Bhakta or devotee can take darshan of Vitthal from the distance of about 25 metres and of Rukmini, from the distance of about 15 metres. It requires only 15 to 20 minutes for darshan. Darshan in Pandharpur has a distinctive meaning valued sentimentally by all devotees which does not obtain in any other temples in India.

Page 8 of 8