Shri Dattawadi Institute Telhara, Telhara, Akola

The Dattatreya Temple and the Samadhi Temple of Sadguru Vishnudas Maharaj, a prominent figure of the Datta Sampradaya who showed the righteous path to thousands of people by firmly asserting that “all-round development and spiritual liberation are impossible without pure conduct, thoughts, and worship,” are located in Telhara. Vishnudas Maharaj, who harmonized spirituality with worldly life, initiated the tradition of festivals and worship at this Dattawadi Sansthan. This Sansthan, which testifies that “there is no place for miracles here, this itself is the true miracle,” hosts a grand week-long fair on the occasion of Datta Jayanti.

Vishnudas Maharaj was born on 16 February 1901 (Magh Vadya Dwadashi/Trayodashi, Shake 1822) in the village of Sakhali near Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg district. His father’s name was Dattatreya Patwardhan and his mother’s name was Laxmibai. Vishnudas Maharaj’s original name was Gurunath. The birthplace of Paramhansa Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe) Swami Maharaj, who gave the great mantra ‘Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara’ to the Datta Sampradaya, is near the village of Akeri, close to Mangaon. Therefore, Tembe Maharaj used to visit the Patwardhan household. He was also present at the thread ceremony (Maujibandhan) of Vishnudas Maharaj. After completing his education at the village school, Gurunath went to Ichalkaranji to study the Upanishads and Vedic knowledge. Upon completing this study, he received the title of ‘Kavyatirtha’.

This was the period of British rule. At that time, a movement to bring back Hindus who had converted to other religions into their own faith was gaining momentum. He participated in that movement. Later, he also participated in the freedom struggle led by Lokmanya Tilak. It is said that he successfully carried out the responsibility of transporting revolutionaries to safe locations many times. During this period, he traveled from Wardha, Paunar, and Amravati to Lahore. Around this time, he also had the company of Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Bal Kanitkar. Once, while staying in Kashi, he met Shri Pragyanand Saraswati (Mogheswami), a disciple of Tembe Swami. Mogheswami initiated Gurunath. Mogheswami ordered him to live in society in white attire, in the form of an Avadhuta, and to propagate Datta Bhakti; he also renamed him Vishnudas for spiritual purposes. At that time, he was only 22 years old. Mogheswami taught him that “everything is in nature, and knowledge will be attained from it.” After a few days, Vishnudas Maharaj felt the urge to take Sannyasa. However, Mogheswami ordered him to live among the people and increase worship. Accordingly, Vishnudas Maharaj set out on a pilgrimage. During his travels, he visited all the holy places from Rameshwar to the Himalayas. He also performed rigorous penance and rituals in all Datta Kshetras. He stayed at Shri Kshetra Gangapur for about one Tapa (twelve years).

While staying at a Dharamshala in Mathura, he noticed that a person had robbed and fled with the money of a blind man named Sampat Patode. Patode was a native of Khaparpede village in Telhara. Vishnudas Maharaj took the responsibility of getting him home and fulfilled it after enduring many hardships. However, while returning from Telhara, he developed a fever. He had to stay in the village of Bhamberi. He stayed in the Hanuman temple there for many days. His radiant personality, clarity of thought, and strict conduct attracted many people to him. Seeing Vishnudas Maharaj’s daily routine, bhajans, worship, kirtans, and Haripath, many devotees came for his darshan. Vishnudas Maharaj implemented many social activities in Bhamberi. He stayed in Bhamberi until 1956. After that, he stayed for two years at the Narayan Swami Math in Gadegaon. Here, he built a Datta-Bhuyar (underground shrine) and started the Datta Jayanti festival.

Later, he bought land from Kisanrao Wadatkar on the Shegaon-Telhara road and built a Datta-Bhuyar there as well. In this underground shrine, on the day of Datta Jayanti, 2 December 1960, he personally installed the idols of Ganesha, Dattatreya, Saraswati, Nrisimha Saraswati, and Gajanan Maharaj. He also named the ashram ‘Dattawadi’. Here, he brought all the villagers together by following a path of worship useful to all. Here, he started festivals and worship sequences like Datta Jayanti, Nrisimha Saraswati Jayanti, Ram Navami, Ganeshotsav, continuous recitation of Gurucharitra and Gajanan Vijay Granth, continuous circumambulation programs, and Palkhi. Through discussions, bhajans, kirtans, and discourses, he led thousands of people to the path of devotion. He breathed his last on 8 June 1990 (Jyeshtha Vadya Pratipada).

The premises of the Dattawadi Sansthan are quiet and pleasant. One enters the temple courtyard through the gate located along the road. In the center of this paved courtyard is the Samadhi Temple of Vishnudas Maharaj. The structure of this Samadhi Temple consists of a semi-open assembly hall (Sabhamandap) and the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) beyond the circumambulation path. In the sanctum sanctorum, there is the Samadhi of Vishnudas Maharaj and in front of it, a white marble seated idol on a Vajrapitha. On the Vajrapitha where the idol is placed, there are metal idols of Dattatreya, Gajanan Maharaj, and some other deities.

To the right of the Samadhi Temple is the Datta-Bhuyar. To enter the sanctum of this solidly constructed underground shrine, one has to descend a few steps. In the sanctum, there is a beautiful idol of Dattatreya on a Vajrapitha. Below the Vajrapitha are the idols of Gajanan Maharaj and Nrisimha Saraswati. Here are the idols of Vitthal-Rakhumai as well as Shriram, Sita, and Lakshman. On the pedestal below them are the idols of Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati. The Dev-Pat (altar) here contains the deities from Vishnudas Maharaj’s daily worship. Beside the idol of Nrisimha Saraswati is the seat of the Nirguna Padukas that Vishnudas Maharaj received as Prasad at Gangapur.

In the area under the Audumbar tree to the left of the Datta-Bhuyar, there are small temple-like shrines of Mahadev and Hanuman. There are also Datta Padukas here. In the vicinity, there is Vishnudas Maharaj’s hut, which contains his portrait and Padukas. Nearby is the Parayan (recitation) hall.

Datta Jayanti is the biggest festival of the Sansthan. During this seven-day celebration, a large fair is held in the area. The premises are filled with devotees coming for this festival. During this festival, programs like bhajans, kirtans, Gurucharitra recitation, and Sundarkand chanting are organized. Similarly, many activities are carried out in the temple every year on the occasion of Ram Navami and the Punyatithi of Vishnudas Maharaj.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery