Sacred Datta Girnari Math Kanhale, Bhusawal, Jalgaon

In Maharashtra, the Datta Sampradaya, which carries forward a unique tradition of Datta devotion, has been flourishing for about six hundred years. There is deep devotion towards Lord Dattatreya among other Hindu sects as well, such as the Mahanubhav, Nath, Warkari, and Samarth Sampradayas. In the Puranas and five modern Upanishads, Dattatreya is described as the upholder of Varnashrama Dharma, the supreme ideal of the Guru principle (Guru Tattva), and the teacher of Yoga. At the Datta Girnari Math-Temple in Bhusawal city, the idol of Lord Dattatreya with one face (Ekamukhi) and six arms (Shatbhuja) is worshipped. It is said that the sacred Vigraha (the Abhishek idol) here bears self-manifested (Swayambhu) divine markings of the Lord. Along with the Datta devotees of Bhusawal, pilgrims from various sects visit here in large numbers for Darshan.

Although the worship of Dattatreya in Maharashtra has been prevalent since ancient Puranic times, the Datta Sampradaya was widely propagated and spread here due to Sri Narasimha Saraswati, an incarnation of Lord Datta. The period of Narasimha Saraswati was from 1378 CE to 1458 CE. According to the research book ‘Datta Sampradayacha Itihas’ (History of Datta Sampradaya) by R. C. Dhere, in the ‘Guru Charitra’ written by Saraswati Gangadhar around 1548 CE (Shake 1470), Lord Datta is considered in a three-faced (Trimukhi) form. Even in the Aarati ‘Trigunatmaka Traimurti’ composed by Sant Eknath (1523 CE to 1599 CE), Lord Datta is depicted in the three-faced form. Generally, although Datta is worshipped in this form, at many places Lord Datta is worshipped in the Ekamukhi (single-faced) form.

The revered deity of Changdev Raul (1150 CE to 1220 CE), the first historical Datta devotee, was also Ekamukhi Dattatreya. However, the deity of the great Datta devotee Dasopant (1551 CE to 1615 CE) was Ekamukhi and Shatbhuja (six-armed) Dattatreya. Narayan Maharaj Jalwankar of Jhansi (1793 CE to 1868 CE), a disciple of Niranjan Raghunath—the author of the texts ‘Swatmaprachiti’ and ‘Sakshatkar’—had a divine realization (Sakshatkar) of Lord Datta on Mount Girnar. The self-manifested (Swayambhu) Datta idol there is likewise Ekamukhi and Shatbhuja. The idol in this Math at Bhusawal is also Ekamukhi and Shatbhuja. The sacred Prasadik Datta idol in the Math was brought from Mount Girnar.

Swami Brahmanand was born on 12th September 1991. On this day, the auspicious alignments of Ganesh Chaturthi, Rishi Panchami, and Vallabh Jayanti had coincided. From childhood, Swami Brahmanand had an inclination towards spirituality. Brahmanand Maharaj was molded under the guidance of the renowned Ramayana storyteller and spiritual Sadguru, Rajeshwaranand Maharaj. There are two Datta idols in this temple: the idol for daily worship and the Prasadik idol. Muktanandgiri Bapu, the Mahant of Mount Girnar, had advised that the Prasadik Datta idol brought by Brahmanand Maharaj from Mount Girnar on Narasimha Jayanti should not be kept in the Math-temple for regular public Darshan. Accordingly, this idol is placed for public Darshan only on four auspicious days: Akshay Tritiya, Guru Purnima, Narasimha Jayanti, and Datta Jayanti, while it is worshipped daily in a hidden form (Gupta Rupa). The Datta idol consecrated for daily worship and regular Darshan in the Math was sculpted and brought from Jaipur. The Prana Pratishtha (consecration) of this idol was performed during Brahmamuhurta on Shripad Vallabh Jayanti, 13th September 2018.

This Datta Girnari Math is situated in a peaceful location in Samarth Vasahat, on the Shivpur-Kanhala Road near Bhusawal. A small temple of Lord Shiva is located in front of the Math. In front of this temple stands a grand stone Nandi idol anointed with vermillion. In the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), a Shivlinga rests upon a square marble Shalunka. The construction of the Math is modern and two-storeyed. On the front central portion of this building, which resembles a two-storeyed Mukhamandapa (entrance porch), there is a roof consisting of three sloping tiers stacked one above the other. Surmounting it is a four-tiered Kalash (pinnacle). On both sides of this section—which features two grand paintings of temple attendants standing in lotus flowers—as well as on the main building, large paintings of Lord Hanuman and Garuda are painted.

In the Mukhamandapa of the temple, there are small shrines dedicated to Vijayi Hanuman and Ashtasiddha Mahabhairav. The architecture of this Math-temple comprises a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On the walls of the spacious Sabhamandapa, black-and-white paintings of Lord Datta in various Mudras and forms are displayed. Similarly, there are portraits of Kameshwari, Mahatripurasundari Amba, Durga Amba, Dattatreyanand Nath, along with various Nath Gurus, revered saints, and divine incarnations of the Datta Sampradaya. In the marble-tiled sanctum sanctorum of the temple, wood has been extensively used. Inside, within a beautifully carved wooden Makhar (shrine), resides a captivating marble idol of Dattaguru with one face (Ekamukhi) and six arms (Shatbhuja). In the hands of the idol are a Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), and Kamandalu (water pot). In front of the idol rest a crystal Shivlinga and a Shaligram. Every day, the idol is beautifully adorned in unique ways according to the specific festivals and sacred significance of the day. To the left of Dattaguru, an idol of Lord Ganesha resides in a wooden shrine, while to the right, Karvir Nivasini Ambabai is consecrated on a pedestal.

In this Math-temple, Kakad Aarati is performed every day at early dawn. This is followed by Mahapuja in ritual purity (Sowalya) and Naivedya Aarati. The four festivals of Guru Purnima, Narasimha Jayanti, Akshay Tritiya, and Datta Jayanti are celebrated here on a grand scale. During Navratri as well, a grand festival and night-long Jagaran take place. At that time, Datta Maharaja is adorned in various divine forms. Here, devotees can have Darshan of Lord Dattatreya from early morning till night, except between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

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.

Devotee Guide & Travel Information

• About 7 km from Bhusawal Railway Station
• ST bus or auto-rickshaw facilities from Bhusawal
• Private vehicles can reach directly up to the temple
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available on the premises.

Sacred Darshan Gallery