| Temples & Legends Of
Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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GANAGAPUR -DATTATREYA |
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| Mahur in
central India is a very well known centre of this cult, but on this side of the Godavari
it is Ganagapur that enjoys pre-eminence, Audumbar and Narasoba Wedi are the secondary
sthans. Here pilgrims and those who seek particular favours from the deity flock by their
hundreds. It is commonly believed that Dattatreya in his incarnation as Shri Nrisimha
Sarasvati has endowed all the three places with his eternal presence. Out of these places
Ganagapur variously referred to as Gandharvapur Ganaga- bhavan etc. being the favourite
one of the Guru is dealt with in detail below. Ganagapur lies outside the political
boundaries of the present state of Maharashtra, but in the cultural traditions, especially
in relation to the Datta sampra- daya, of this land, that place plays an important role.
Fifty miles to the south east of Sholapur on the main line of theBombay Madras route of
the Central Railways is the station Ganagapur.The Ganagapur kshetra is some fourteen miles
to the south of this station. Regular buses run to the kshetra and back. The state buses
are so timed as to suit passengers arriving and going back by the important trains on the
route. Some important places like Gulburga are directly linked with Ganagapur by bus
service. When the bus service was not available, the distance between the station and the
town had to be travelled either on foot or by bullock carts. Some pious devotees of
Dattatreya had maintained in those days rest-houses and annachhatras at intervals along
the road. Now they are no longer necessary and seem to have fallen in disuse. |
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