Sri Kshetra Ganagapur

Sri Kshetra Ganagapur Temple :

Kshetra Ganagapur is a  (place of pilgrimage) associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. According to the book Shri GuruCharitra, he promised that he would abide forever at Ganagapura. In the morning, he would bathe at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers. At midday, he would go through the village asking for bhiksha (alms of food), and accept pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple. Devotees believe that by bathing at the confluence, by begging (Maadhukari or Annadana Seva) from at least five houses in Ganagapura, and by offering Paduka Pooja at the temple, they can experience the living presence (darśana) of Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, and be freed from sins and granted wishes.

Other Places to Visit in Sri Kshetra Gangapur:

The Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj stayed at Ganagapura for a period of 24 years. Sri Guru after his stay at Narsobawadi came to Ganagapur and started living at the Holy Confluence of Bhima and Amarja Rivers (Sangam). He used to come to the village only at Noon for Bhiksha. Once he came to a house of a Poor Brahmin who had a barren buffalo and asked the Brahmin lady to give him the Milk itself as Bhiksha. Though the lady said it was a barren one Guru Maharaj insisted her to get him the Milk. To the Surprise of all the villagers the Barren buffalo started giving litres of Milk. Then this news reached the head of the Village (Gramadhipati). The King then visited Shri Guru to come and stay at Ganagapur itself by establishing a Math there. This Math later came to be known as Nirgun Math due to the Presence of Guru Maharaj in Nirguna Roopa here forever.

  • Sangam Kshetra Ganagapur

Sangam Kshetra is a meeting point of Bhima and Amarja rivers. The water of these rivers, especially at their confluence, called Sangam, are considered extremely holy.  Those who bathe in Sangam will be freed from their sins, and their wishes will be fulfilled. There is a temple in Sangam in which the Shree Narasimha Saraswati Swamy performed the Anusthana. The Shella Padukas of Swamy are here.

  • Audumbar Tree in Sangam Kshetra

The Audumbar tree is situated near Sangam.  Many devotees do the ''Shree Gurucharitra parayana'' (reading of ''Shree Gurucharitra'') there.

  • Ash Hill on the way to Sangam

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 oodi is very powerful and it will protect those persons from drishti doshas. It will protect the children for Baalarishta and Graha dosha. If the ash is applied slightly every day on the stomach part of pregnant women, then they will deliver a healthy child with some "Tejarupa".

  • Sri Kalleshwar temple Ganagapur

The temple of Sri Kalleshwar (Shiva) is famous in Ganagapur.  It is said that the poet Narahari, who used to pray Kalleshwar, once started seeing Sri Narasimha Saraswati in Kalleshwara's place. He became a devotee of Sri Narasimha Saraswati. This temple is considered as equivalent to Gokarna. In this temple, the Swayambhu Shani and many temples are situated.

  • Ashta Teerthas
  • Narasimha theertha
  • Sreepaada theertha
  • Rudrapada theertha
  • Bagerathi theertha
  • Paapa Nashaka theertha
  • Koti theertha
  • Chakra theertha
  • Manmatha theertha

 

The importance of taking bath in these Ashta teerthas can be known from Shree Gurucharitra. Some devotees take a bath every day during their stay in Ganagapur and some bathe at least once during their yatra period. Bathing in Ashta teerthas on Naraka Chathurdashi (eve of Diwali) day is considered very powerful. Sins and doshas are believed to be removed by bathing in these Ashta teerthas.

Datta Ganagapur- Sri Ganagapur Datta Kshetra Darshana - Video

 

Additional information