Ganagapura

Ganagapura ಗಾಣಗಾಪುರ
Village
Ganagapur
Nickname(s): Deval Ganagapura
Ganagapura Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Gulbarga
Government
• Body	Town Panchayat
Population
• Total	7,000
Demonym(s)	Ganagapurnivaru
Language
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	585212
Telephone code	08470
Vehicle registration	KA32
Nearest city	Afzalpura, Gulbarga
Lok Sabha constituency	Gulbarga
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Afzalpura
Civic agency	Town Panchayat
Website	http://www.srikshetraganagapur.com

File:ShriNarasimhaSaraswati.jpg

Narasimha Saraswati

Ganagapura (sometimes called Deval Ganagapur) is a Village in Karnataka, India. It is located in the Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka.

The village is noted for its temple to Lord Dattatreya, who is said to have attained realization on the confluence (Sangama) of the banks of the rivers Bhima-Amarja.

Demographics

In India's 2001 census, Ganagapura had a population of 6491, with 3250 males and 3241 females.

Religious significance

Ganagapura is a kshetra (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) 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.

Places of interest

Significant places include Nirgun Math, Kalleshewar. The Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. Sangam Kshetra – meeting point of Bhima and Amarja rivers, Audumbar Tree, Ash Hill etc.

Lord Dattatreya’s incarnations

Sripaad Shree Vallabh was born in a Brahmin family in a village named Pithapuram (East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, India) and disappeared in Kurvapur.

Narasimha Saraswati (1378−1458) is the Purna avatar of Dattatreya. (As per the Shreepad Shreevallabha Charitra he is second avatar of Dattatreya). He was born in Karanjapur which is modern Lad-Karanja or Karanja in Maharashtra Vidharbha region. He was initially named 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.

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot is an avatar of Dattatreya. His origins are obscure, yet a tale confirms him as Nrusimha Bhan, from Kardalivan near Srisailam. He attained samadhi in April–May of the year 1878.

Transportation

Ganagapur is well connected by road and rail. There are many state-run buses from Gulbarga to Ganagapur. The town is on the railway route. Travellers need to get down at the Ganagapur Road railway station, which is on Gulbarga-Mumbai route. From there to Ganagapur is 22 kilometres (14 mi) by bus or auto-rickshaw. The nearest airport is at Hyderabad located 245 kilometres from Ganagapur.The roads have been repaired and improved by the government of karnataka. Pilgrims also from maharashtra state can come via solapur and Akkalkot. Both this places are having good connectivity to Ganagapur.

Accommodation

Sai Datta Logde and Sri Anasuya Datta Lodge provide a decent accommodation.You can also avail economical accommodation at ashrams as well as some of the priests house.