Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple Sri Kshetra Ganagapur: The temple of Shri Kshetra Ganagura Dattatreya holds profound religious significance for devotees seeking inner peace and healing. It houses the revered charan paduka of Shri Nrusimha, attracting pilgrims from far and wide. The persistent faith of devotees has led to numerous tales of miraculous recoveries from mental illnesses and life-threatening diseases after visiting this sacred site and offering prayers to the gurus.
According to the sacred text, Shri GuruCharitra, Dattatreya promised to remain eternally in Ganagapura. Each day, he engaged in spiritual practices, bathing at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers in the morning, seeking alms at midday, and accepting pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple.
Temple Timings
Opening Hours: 3:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Rituals & Pujas
02:30 AM to 03:00 AM: Kakad Aarti
03:00 AM to 05:00 AM: Various pujas and Laghu Rudrabhishek
05:00 AM to 06:00 AM: Mahapuja and Paduka Pujan
06:00 AM to 06:30 AM: Guru Aarti (Paduka Aarti)
06:30 AM to 07:00 AM: Panchamrut Distribution
07:00 AM to 11:30 AM: Rudrabhishekam – Laghu Rudra Abhishekam
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Maha Mangala Aarti, Maha Naivedyam
12:30 PM to 02:00 PM: Devotee’s Puja
02:00 PM to 02:30 PM: Paduka Puja and Chintamani Ganpati Puja
07:30 PM to 08:15 PM: Maha Mangal Aarti
08:15 PM to 08:45 PM: Palkhi Seva
09:00 PM to 09:30 PM: Shejaarti and temple closing
(Note: Timings may vary slightly on festivals and holidays)
History
The Shri Kshetra in Ganagura, Karnataka, is a sanctuary for devout Hindus seeking peace and spiritual enlightenment. Dattatreya, the universal Guru avatar, once roamed these lands as a humble alms seeker, bestowing blessings upon those he deemed worthy. With three faces representing the amalgamation of the three lords, Dattatreya eventually disappeared into the woods, only to be believed to reincarnate later in the form of Shri Nrusimha Swamy. The Ganagura region houses several small temples, with the Sangameshwar Mandir and Kalleshwar Mandir being prominent among them.
How to Reach Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple Sri Kshetra
Ganagapur is located 40 km from Gulbarga, Karnataka, and is well-connected by both road and rail to major cities.
By Train:
The Ganagapur Railway Station, known as Ganagapur Road, is a convenient stop for travelers. From the railway station, it takes around 20 minutes by road to reach Ganagapur town, where the Viswaroopa Datta Kshetram is located.
By Bus:
Ganagapur enjoys excellent road connectivity to major cities. To reach Ganagapur, travelers can first reach Gulbarga, Karnataka, and then use Karnataka State Buses to reach Ganagapur. Both KSRTC and APSRTC buses provide transportation services to Hyderabad, Bangalore, and other major cities.
Where to Stay
Sri Kshetra Ganagapura offers a range of accommodation facilities to suit different preferences and budgets. Options include dharamshalas (chatram) near the Dattatreya Temple with basic facilities and nominal charges, as well as lodges with A/c or non-A/c deluxe rooms, executive rooms, or suite rooms. These accommodations provide various amenities, such as comfortable beds, television, hot water, and different types of toilets. Additionally, ample parking space is available. Many ashramas on the Sangam Road also offer basic accommodation facilities.