Narsobawadi Datta Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Jaysingpur is the nearest station, about 17 km away. Sangli, 22 km away, is on the Mumbai-Bangalore main line.

• By road

  State transport buses run to the town from Jaysingpur and Kolhapur, and a bus depot is close to the temple premises.

Why devotees come here

Narsobawadi, in Kolhapur district, is home to the temple of Shri Nrusinha Saraswati, an avatar of Dattatreya. The temple has no idols; two padukas, or sacred slippers, stand for the avatar. The town sits where the Panchganga and Krishna rivers meet.

Narsobawadi is a small town in Shirol taluka, Kolhapur district. The town is famous for its temple of Shri Nrusinha Saraswati (1378 to 1458). The temple stands on the banks of the Krishna river. With much archaeological value, the town became a major pilgrim spot for devotees of Shri Dattatreya.

Legend says the town takes its name from Shri Nrusinha Saraswati, the purna avatar of Dattatreya. Dattatreya in this form is believed to have lived here for 12 years. There are no images or idols in the temple to show his presence. Instead, two padukas, or sacred slippers, honour the avatar.

Vasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj, also called Tembe Swami, is a saint of recent times and is regarded as an incarnation of Dattatreya. He stayed here for 12 years, near the Datta temple.

Festivals

• Pushya monthNarasimha Jayanti

  Celebrated in the Hindu calendar.

• Magha Poornima to Phalguna PanchamiGopal Kala Utsav

  Celebrated in the Hindu calendar.

• Badrapada monthSripada Srivallabha Jayanthi

  Celebrated on Ganesha Chaturthi day.

• Full moon of Margashirsha monthDatta Jayanti

  The birth festival of Dattatreya. Devotees gather to worship and seek blessings.

Tips for your visit

• The hosts also serve simple homemade Brahmin meals.
• Kurundawad is the nearest town, about 2 km away.
• Miraj is about 19 km from Narsobawadi.

Questions people ask