Historic Datta Amareshwar Temple Aurwad, Shirol, Kolhapur

Narsobachi Wadi is a sacred pilgrimage site cherished by devotees, situated on the banks of the Krishna and Panchganga rivers. A constant stream of devotees visits this holy place. Param Pujya Sri Narasimha Saraswati, revered as an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, resided in this region. He stayed near the confluence of the Krishna and Panchganga rivers for twelve years. On the opposite bank of Narsobachi Wadi lies Aurwad, also known as Amarapur, where the Datta Amareshwar Temple stands along the riverbank. This temple enshrines an idol of Ekmukhi Datta (one-faced Dattatreya) and the sacred Amareshwar Shiva Linga. Right behind it is the sacred abode of the 64 Yoginis. Devotees hold a deep belief that taking darshan of Lord Amareshwar here is equivalent to taking darshan of Lord Kashi Vishveshwar.

In the ‘Sri Narasimha Saraswati Stotra’ composed by Swami Vasudevananda Saraswati Tembe Swami, it is mentioned: *”Amarakhyapure cha yoginivarado yo’khiladosti yoginih | Sa Nrisimhasaraswati yatirbhagavan me’sti paravara gatih ||”* The ‘Amarapur’ referenced in this verse is present-day Aurwad. Historical records state that Swami Narasimha Saraswati arrived in Amarapur in 1421 CE. In the 18th chapter of Sri Guru Charitra, there is an episode where Swami Narasimha Saraswati visited the house of a poor Brahmin in Amarapur for alms, and by uprooting a hyacinth bean vine in his yard, he removed the Brahmin’s poverty. Similarly, the 19th chapter states: *”Amareshvarsannidhani | Vasai chausashta yogini | Puja karavaya madhyanhini | Sri Gurujavali yeti nitya ||”* meaning that the 64 Yoginis residing at Amareshwar would come daily at midday to worship Sri Guru Narasimha Saraswati. 

After his stay at Narsobawadi, Swami Narasimha Saraswati departed for Ganagapur in 1435 CE. According to the narrative in Sri Guru Charitra, the 64 Yoginis requested him not to leave this holy place. He then reassured them, stating: *”Tumhansahita Audumbari | Amuchya paduka manohari | Puja kariti je tatpari | Manakamana purti jana ||”* meaning that his enchanting Padukas (sacred footprints) would reside here beneath the Audumbar tree alongside them, and whoever worships them with devotion will have their heart’s desires fulfilled. These Padukas are enshrined inside the temple of the 64 Yoginis. It is said that these Yoginis had accompanied Swami Narasimha Saraswati from Kashi to this divine site. 

The Datta Amareshwar Temple here is spacious and grand. This newly constructed temple stands in place of the older structure. Inside the temple, on the left side, various episodes from Sri Guru Charitra are beautifully depicted in pictorial form. The sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) is located at the central Brahmasthan of the temple. The priests here share that the Ekmukhi Datta idol inside the sanctum represents the divine Trinity embodying the three gunas (Trigunatmaka Trayamurti). This idol has six hands. The lowest right and left hands hold a Kamandalu (water pot) and a Rudraksha mala (rosary). The middle hands hold a Trishula (trident) and a Damaru (drum), while the upper two hands hold the Shankha (conch) and Sudarshana Chakra (discus). To the right of this idol is the sacred Amareshwar Linga. Amareshwar here is revered as the manifestation of Lord Kashi Vishveshwar Himself. It is believed to encompass the divine presence of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Kartikeya, and Lord Ganesha. On the left side is the Linga of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar. Beneath it are holy footprints believed to belong to Sri Sripada Srivallabha and Swami Narasimha Saraswati. Furthermore, sacred symbols such as the Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma, Paduka, Rudraksha mala, and Kamandalu are also carved there. In the northeastern corner of the sanctum lies the original (Mool) Linga of Datta Amareshwar, which is considered to be ancient. 

According to legend, during the Treta Yuga, when battles took place between the Devas (gods) and the Danavas (demons), the demons would always emerge victorious. This was because their Guru, Shukracharya, possessed the Sanjeevani Vidya, by which he revived slain demons back to life. Distressed by this, the Devas prayed to Lord Brahma, pleading for the boon of immortality. Lord Brahma advised them to visit this sacred spot, consecrate a Shiva Linga, and perform a holy Yajna. Accordingly, the Devas consecrated Lord Shiva here in the form of a Linga and conducted the Yajna, after which they were blessed with the boon of immortality (Amartva). Thus, this sacred place earned the name Amareshwar. 

Behind the main temple stands the temple dedicated to the sixty-four Yoginis. However, this shrine houses idols of only eight Yoginis. Since eight times eight equals sixty-four, these eight idols are revered as representing all sixty-four Yoginis. In the center of these eight Yogini idols rest the sacred Padukas of Swami Narasimha Saraswati. It is believed that a pilgrimage to Narsobachi Wadi remains incomplete unless the devotee visits Amareshwar and takes darshan of these Yoginis. This temple was later built in the very precinct where the famous incident from Sri Guru Charitra took place—where Swami Narasimha Saraswati uprooted a hyacinth bean vine in a poor Brahmin’s courtyard, revealing a hidden pot of gold coins beneath it and eradicating his poverty. 

At the Datta Amareshwar Temple, Kakad Aarti is performed at 5:00 AM, and Shej Aarti is performed at 10:00 PM. Several festivals are celebrated at the temple. A grand festival takes place here on Guru Pratipada. Additionally, festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Gopalkala are also celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.

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