Sri Datta Kshetras in Karnataka
Shirdi Sai Baba is the poorna (complete) Sri Datta avatara. Hence, visiting these kshetras and doing sadhana there is an effective way to obtain Baba’s grace.
A holy place (kshetra) and the right time (kala) serve as powerful force multipliers in one’s sadhana — yielding significantly greater benefits than performing the same sadhana in an ordinary place.
A sincere study of the charitra (life history) of other Sri Datta avataras is, in itself, a powerful form of sadhana. Each of these can be seen as a distinct chapter in the grand charitra of Sri Datta.
If I have missed any Sri Datta kshetra in Karnataka that you would like to see included, please share the following details in the comments section:
District Name, place name, saint’s name, website URL if avialable, and a short description of the saint and the place.
Humnabad – Sri Manik Prabhu Maharaj – https://manikprabhu.org/
Sri Manik Prabhu Maharaj, regarded as the third datta avatara, was born on Datta jayanti, 22nd December 1817, in Ladwanti, near Basavakalyan in Bidar district. He later established an ashram at Maniknagar, near Humnabad. Swami attained jeeva samadhi on 29th November 1865 at Maniknagar. He also founded a mutt and initiated a lineage of Gurus, which continues to this day.
Devala Ganagapura – Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji – http://devalganagapur.in/
Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji, revered as the second Datta avatara, was born in 1378 at Lad-Karanja in Maharashtra. Swamiji arrived at Gangapur in 1435 and resided there for 23 years, until 1458. In 1459, Swami attained Nijanandagamana samadhi at Kardali Vana, near Srisailam in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
Kumasi – Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji vishwaroopa darshana kshetra – https://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/kumasi/
Kumasi is a sacred place where Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji revealed his vishwarupa to his devotee, Shri Trivikram Bharati, who resided there. A small Sri Datta temple stands at Kumasi today, housing the sacred Padukas and a Shivalinga.
Muragod – Sri Shiva Chidambada Swamiji – https://shrichidambar.com/
Sri Shiva Chidambara Swamiji was born on 20th November 1758 in Muragod, Savadatti taluk. He performed numerous divine leelas, conducted a Somayaga, and ultimately attained mahasamadhi in the year 1814 at Muragod.
Kuruvapur – Sripada Srivallabha Swamiji – https://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/kuruvapur/
Sri Sripada Vallabha Swamiji, revered as the first Sri Datta avatara of Kaliyuga, was born in 1320 at Pithapuram, in present-day Andhra Pradesh. He later travelled to Kuruvapuram, where he undertook intense tapasya (penance) and performed numerous divine leelas. In 1350, Swamiji attained mahasamadhi by immersing himself in the sacred Krishna river near Kuruvapuram (This day is known as ‘Guru Dwadashi’ as the day of Swamiji’s mahasamadhi is ‘Ashwija krishna dwadashi’).
Gokarna – Sri Sripada Srivallabha Swamiji and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokarna,_Karnataka
Both Sri Sripada Srivallabha Swamiji and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamiji performed tapasya at Gokarna, thereby sanctifying it as a holy Sri Datta kshetra.
Anandavana Agadi – Shri Sheshachala Swamiji – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandavana – https://www.sallapa.com/2021/09/blog-post_57.html
Sri Sheshachala Swamiji, revered as the second avatara of Sri Shivachidambara Swamiji of Muragod, was born in 1848 at Agadi near Haveri. Swamiji travelled extensively, performed numerous divine leelas, and established an ashrama at ‘Anandavana’ near Agadi. He attained mahasamadhi in 1918 at Anandavana, Agadi.
Varadapura – Sri Sridhara Swamiji – https://sridharashrama.org/
Sri Sridhara Swamiji was born on Sri Datta jayanti, December 7, 1908, at Lad Chincholi, Karnataka. He performed seva and tapasya at Sajjangad and received the blessings of Sri Samartha Ramadasa Swamiji. Following the guidance of Sri Samartha Ramadasa Swamiji, Sri Sridhara Swamiji travelled south, reached Varadapura in 1954, established an ashram, and transformed many lives. He attained mahasamadhi in 1973 at Varadapura.
Komaranahalli – Sri Shankaralinga Bhagavan – Kannada Wikipedia link – Komaranahalli Kshetra
Sri Shankaralinga Bhagavan, revered as the third avatara of Sri Shiva Chidamba Swamiji of Muragod, was born on 21st August 1880 at Malenahalli, Holalkere Taluka. He received the blessings of Sri Narayana Bhagavan and Sri Shankaraba Bhagavan, disciples of Agadi Sri Sheshachala Bhagavan. He was also graced by Sri Datta Yogirajendra of Banavasi and became known as Sadguru Shankaralinga Bhagavan. Swamiji performed many divine leelas, guided numerous devotees, and attained mahasamadhi on 16th July 1953 at Komaranahalli, Harihara Taluk.
Sri Kshetra Dodderi – Sadguru Srisatupasi – https://srisatupasi.co.in/
Sadguru Srisatupasi Swamiji was born on 25th June 1953 in the village of Upparahatti, Challakere Taluk. Swamiji was initiated by Sri Hanumantajja of Dodderi and received the name Srisatupasi. He currently resides in Dodderi, Challakere Taluk, where he continues to guide and bless devotees.
Sakharayapatna – Sri Venkatachala Avadhutaru – An article on Sri Venkatachala Avadhootaru
Sri Venkatachala Avadhootaru was born in 1940 at Sakharayapatna in Kaduru taluk. Swamiji was influenced by Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Swamiji and was blessed by Komarnahalli Shakaralinga Bhagavan at the age of 11. Swamiji brought to light the Brindavana of Sri Krishnayogendra Saraswati Swamiji at Banavara and performed His sadhana there. Swamiji performed many divine leelas, guided numerous devotees, and attained mahasamadhi in 2010 at Sakharayapatna.
Gubbi – Sri Chidambara Swamiji – https://chidambara.org/ – https://raocollections.blogspot.com/2018/02/chidambara-swami-gubbi.html – https://auraofshirdisai.org/great-karma-yogi-gubbi-chidambara-swamiji/
Sri Chidambara Swamiji was born in 1889 at Settikere village near Tumkur. Swamiji worked as a postmaster while also pursuing spiritual sadhana. He met Sri Narayana Bhagavan, a disciple of Agadi Sheshachala Bhagavan, and received upadesha from Him. Swamiji was a social reformer who guided many disciples. In 1940, he established Chidambarashrama in Gubbi and founded a school that imparted both vedic and secular education. Sri Datta Anjaneya is the presiding deity of the ashrama. Swamiji attained mahasamadhi in 1966 at Chidambarashrama.
1. Thyagaraja Nagara Sri Dattateya Temple – Sri Sankannarya Swamiji – https://dattatreyatemple.org/
Sri Sankannarya Swamiji was born on 6th August 1855 at Kengeri, near Bangalore. He was named ‘Putta Sankanna’ and affectionately called ‘Puttanna’. Swamiji worked in the court and was married to Shankaramma. During his government service, he was posted in several places. Since he lived for a long time in a town called Kunigal, he became known as ‘Kunigal Puttanna’.
Swamiji had a spiritual inclination and was in search of a Guru. He met Sri Yogananda, who initiated him into yoga and gave him mantropadesha, renaming him ‘Chidananda’. Sri Yogananda advised him to continue his sadhana and assured him that at the right time, he would be guided to another Guru for the final phase of his spiritual journey.
As Swamiji progressed in his sadhana, he met Sri Shankarananda in Bangalore. Later, while Swamiji was in deep meditation, Sri Yogananda instructed him to accept Sri Shankarananda as his Guru for the final stage of his sadhana. Sri Shankarananda accepted him as a disciple and initiated him into Sri Datta mantropadesha. Swamiji diligently practiced the mantra diksha and ultimately attained the supreme state.
Swamiji guided numerous devotees in the worship of Sri Datta and played a key role in introducing the practice of Sri Gurucharitra parayana to the Old Mysore region. In 1944, Swamiji established the Sri Dattatreya temple at Tyagarajanagar, Bangalore. Many devotees have experienced the divine presence of Sri Dattatreya in this sacred temple.
Swamiji attained mahasamadhi on Vijayadashami, 5th October 1946. His samadhi is situated within the temple premises.
Sri Bet Narayana Maharaj was born on 20th May 1885 at Nargund in Karnataka. Swamiji left home at an early age, and a sage guided him to proceed to Gangapur. Swamiji stayed in Gangapur for 10 months, serving Sri Dattatreya. Through his service and devotion, Swamiji obtained the blessings of Sri Dattatreya and became a siddha purusha.
As he journeyed from place to place, Swamiji arrived at Bet in Maharashtra, where he overheard the conversation of a pair of pingla birds: “This place was sanctified by the brief stay of Lord Ram. This is a holy land where thousands will receive food and true satisfaction.” Inspired by this divine message, Swamiji established an ashram at Bet, which is now known as Narayana Nagari.
Swamiji guided numerous sadhakas in Sri Datta upasana and is revered as one of the five Perfect Masters recognized by Sri Meher Baba.
In 1945, when Bangalore was facing a severe drought, the then Mysore Maharaja requested Swamiji to organize an ‘Ati Rudra Swahakar’ homa to Lord Shiva. Swami performed the homa, and upon its successful completion, attained mahasamadhi in Bangalore itself on 3rd September 1945.
Though the Mysore state had arranged an aircraft to carry the body to Bet, honoring the request of Bangalore devotees, Swamiji’s samadhi was constructed on 2 acres of land near Kempambudi Lake.
The address of Swami’s samadhi mandir in Bangalore is as follows:
No 19, gavi gangadeswara circle, Gavipura, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560019.
4. Vasantapura Sri Saibaba temple – Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji – https://srisaispiritualcentre.org/
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was born as Radhakrishnan on 15th April 1906 in Poyyamani village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur district, Tamil Nadu. He was the fifth child of Sri Pudukkudi D. Venkataramana Iyer and Smt. Lakshmi Ammal.
Swamiji was spiritually inclined from a young age and had a deep love for nature. He was drawn to temples and holy men early in life. A voracious reader, Swamiji was especially fond of reading the life stories of saints such as Sri Sadashiva Brahmendra, Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, and others. The Kanchi Mutt and Kanchi Swamiji (Maha Periyava) had a profound influence on the young Sri Radhakrishnan. Swamiji undertook tapasya in a cave near Pune for 48 days. On the 46th day, he had the darshan of Sri Dattatreya, who instructed Him to remain in the world and guide humanity.
Swamiji met Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Shashadri Swamigal in Tiruvannamalai. In 1927, he was initiated into the “Sri Datta Mantra” by Sri Bet Narayana Maharaj.
In 1942, Sri Radhakrishnan met his Guru, Sri Narasimha Swamiji, in Ooty and soon moved to Chennai to live with him. Through dedicated seva and sadhana, Sri Radhakrishnan came to be known as Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji.
In 1952, Sri Narasimha Swamiji deputed Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to Bangalore for Sai prachar work. In 1953, Sri Narasimha Swamiji conferred upon Swamiji the title “Saipadananda.”
Swamiji established the Saibaba temple at Thyagaraja Nagar on June 17, 1965.
Swamiji was a staunch proponent of “Nama Japa” — the recitation of Sri Vishnusahasranama — considering it a universal remedy for all problems. He encouraged his devotees to read a chapter from the Bhagavad Gita daily. Swamiji cherished bhajans and kirtans and was truly an apostle of love.
Swamiji led a vibrant and active life, traveling widely to spread the message of Sai. Always in deep communion with Baba, he guided countless devotees towards Him. Even today, Swamiji’s devotees continue to experience his grace.
Swamiji merged with Baba during Uttarayana, on January 14, 1980, at 10:40 p.m., at the Sai Spiritual Center in Thyagaraja Nagar.
Mysuru – Sri Ganapati Sachidananda Swamiji – https://www.dattapeetham.org
Sri Ganapati Sachidananda Swamiji was born as Satyanarayana on May 26, 1942, in Mekedatu, Karnataka. His mother, who was his first Guru, initiated him into spiritual sadhana. From a young age, Swamiji guided those around him and displayed a keen interest and talent in music.
In 1966, Swamiji moved to the Mysore ashram, which began as a simple thatched hut in an open field. It was here that Sri Swamiji came to be known as Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Over time, the ashram has evolved into a vast spiritual center, home to a temple dedicated to Sri Dattatreya, a Vedapatashala, Shukavana, and a Bonsai garden.
Swamiji has established Avadhoota Datta Peetam at Mysore and annointed Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji as his successor.
Swamiji has established 16 ashramas across India dedicated to 16 avataras of Sri Dattatreya. Datta Kasi; Datta Rameshwaram; 9 Kshetras dedicated to Navanathas; Sripadavallabha Anagha Datta Kshetram in Pithapuram (AP) dedicated to Sripadavallabha Swamy, the first incarnation of Datta in Kaliyuga and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Guru Paduka Kshetram dedicated to Swamy Narasimha Saraswati in Ganagapura (KA).
Swamiji has travelled widely and established 15 spiritual centers across the globe, including in the UK, USA, Malaysia, various parts of Europe, Trinidad, Canada, and Australia.
Sri Swamiji is a great composer of Bhajans. Sri Swamiji has written more than 2000 songs in Samskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi in praise of various deities. Sri Swamiji is endowed with a gifted voice. Sri Swamiji’s bhajan session enthralls a layman and a scholar alike.
Swamiji continues to guide numerous devotees world over.
