Madhukari Seva in Ganagapur
There is an assurance from Sri guru 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.
At 12.30 every day after main pooja there will be distribution of food from nearby houses. This is called MADHUKARI.
These are different types of leaves available in the temple premises. Per leaflet is cost Rs.5/-. The Temple authorities first distribute prasad to devotees. After which the devotees will have to take Madhukari in at least 5 houses. The devotees need not search for any hotel to have noon food, since one gets stomach full of food from Madhukari itself.
Sri Kshetra Ganagapur - Dattatreya
Shri Kshetra Ganagapur is a place where second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, Shri Narasimha Saraswathi (1378-1458) resided for about 24 years blessing innumerable number of His devotees. The second incarnation was in Peethapur, Andhra Pradesh as
SRI SRIPADAVALLABHA.
Sri Kshetra Ganagapur is one of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas. It stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluk in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. This Nirguna Mutt is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas of Shri Narasimha Saraswathi.The place where the Nirguna Mutt is there is known by the names DEVAGANAGAPURA/ DEVALGANAGAPUR.
Shree Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy is the Purna avatar of Lord Dattatreya. He was born in Karanjapur which is modern Lad-Karanja or karanja in Maharashtra Vidharbha region.
Shree Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy (Shreeguru) was initially named as Narahari or Shaligramadeva. His father's name was Madhav and mother's name was Amba-Bhavani. His surname was Kale. He was born in a Deshastha Brahmin family Shulka-yajurvedi Brahman Kanva Shaka at Karanja.
Shreeguru assured that he would forever abide at Ganagapur and go round the village for ‘Biksha’ at 12:00 noon. Offering “Madhukari” to the people at Ganagapur and taking Biksha from atleast 5 houses is having very importance at this holy place.
Even today Lord Dattatreya takes biksha everyday at Ganagapur. ShreeGuru "Shri Narasimha Saraswathi" confirmed the same and it can be seen in Gurucharitra Adhyay (chapter 21-22).At the time of Antardhan, Shreeguru said to the disciples and citizens of Ganagapur as follows:
"Vasathi Rani Sangamase Jate Nithya Bikshese Taya Vare Ganagapurase Madhyana Kaala Pareyasa"
"You need not worry. I shall stay at this Ganagapur kshetra secretly. I shall have bath at the Bheema-Amaraja Sangam river in the morning. In the mid day, I shall come to Ganagapur mutt and accept Biksha in this village and accept your pooja and devotional services.
From the view point of the public, I am going away from this place. My living presence will be experienced by any one who bathes in the Bheema-Amaraja Sangam and takes darshan of my Padukas here. I will receive poojas at this Kshetra in the form of Padukas”. The Padukas of shreeguru Shri Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy at this place are “Nirguna Padukas"
Shreeguru has been blessing his devotees with his divine acts on countless occassions. 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.
Sri Kshetra Ganagapur
Sri Kshetra Ganagapur is a holy place of Lord Dattatreya, The place is connected to Sri Narasimha Saraswathy swamy who is the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. The importance of datta kshetra was explained by Shreeguru and one can be seen in 'Shree Gurucharitra' . There is an assurance from Shreeguru that he would forever abide at Ganagapur and go round the village for 'Biksha' at noon is literally true even today. Offering 'madhukari seva' to the people at Ganagapur and taking biksha from atleast 5 houses is having very improtance at this holy place. Even today also, the process is continuing and the devotees are having faith the Lord Dattatreya is taking biksha everyday at Ganagapur kshetra. Shri guru Sri Narasimha saraswathy swamy confirmed the same and it can be seen in Gurucharitra. At the time of Antardhan, Shreeguru said to the disciples and citizens of Ganagapur as follows.
Nirgun Paduka - Ganagapur
Datta is the One who has been endowed with the anubhuti (spiritual experience) of the unmanifest (nirgun). The anubhuti of nirgun essentially means realization that He is the soul (atma) or He has attained God-Realization.
Lord Dattatreya had this anubhuti since He was born on Earth, whereas a seeker has to perform sadhana(spiritual practice) for many births to obtain such anubhuti. This signifies the importance of lord Dattatreya.
At many Holy places where Lord Dattatreya is worshiped, His Paduka are worshiped instead of His idol.
Generally, only Lord Dattatreya’s Paduka are worshiped in temples or homes. The nirgun principle emanating from the Padukas benefits the seeker. Due to this nirgun principle purification of seeker’s mind, intellect and ego happens. As a result, a devotee of Deity Datta rapidly merges with His sagun (manifest) form as well as with the nirgun (unmanifest) form.
--
Oudumbar tree attracts maximum Lord Dattatreya principle; hence, it is also worshipped instead of Deity Datta’s idol.
It is said that the flowers of Oudumbar tree signify the anubhuti of nirgun principle or Parameshwar (The Supreme God). It means that which cannot be seen with the eyes but it can be only experienced.
Even though one cannot see the flowers of Oudumbar tree, it is possible to derive bliss by looking at the fruits shaped like modak.