In ancient times, there was a thick forest here. Narasinha Saraswati Swami is one of the 16 descents of Lord Datta. Kurundwad was his spot of penance. Wadi has during 1034-1982 tradition of Ramchandra Yogi, Narayan Swami, Mouni Maharaj, Tembe Swami & Mhadaba Patil whose tombs are seen. The original Mandir on the confluence of the Krishna Panchganga has a tradition of 500-600 years.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati
Sripaad Swami told a Brahmin lady to devote her life to the worship of Lord Siva. She did accordingly and, as a result of it, she was born in Karanja a town near Akola (Central India) in a pious family and was named Amba.She grew and she was married to a pious man Madhava Sharma. She was devoted, heart and soul, to the service of of her husband. His noble company added to the holy tendencies she developed as a result of her spiritual discipline in her previous life. She now became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
In course of time, she gave birth to a son.The child did not cry, as usual, at birth.On the other hand, the only sound he uttered was 'AUM' (the eternal sound - 'AUM' is the manifestation of the spirit) and everyone was amazed at it. Astrologers assured Madhava Sharma that their child was indeed an avatar of the Lord. They also prophesied that he would renounce all worldly ties and that he would uplit the fallen souls. The child was named Narahari.
The name signified that he was the dispeller of the sins and miseries of human beings.
The child Narahari grew up to be a handsome boy of five, but he could not speak and the parents were very much worried about it.
One day, the boy conveyed to them through gestures that he wished to be invested with the sacred thread. Young Narahari learned the 'Gayatri Mantra', adopted the vows of a young celebate (Brahmacharya), accepted the first offering of food from his mother's hands and at once recited the Vedas (external repositories of Spiritual Wisdom) . The parents were overjoyed but their joy did not last. According to tradition after the sacred thread ceremony, the initiate is a sannyasi and has to beg alms from his mother and leave for pilgrimage. Thus, the mother asked him to beg alms and young Narahari, taking it as her adesha (command) sought permission totake sannyasa, renounce worldly life and leave for pilgrimage.
The mother bewailed her plight and pleaded with him to give up such an idea. Narhari said "I do not want to enjoy the objects of the senses which can only lead to misery. So, I shall pass on from the state of celebacy directly to the life of a sannyasi. Wealth, family ties and responsibilities are as unreal as a dream. Youth is transient as a flower which soon withers. Thus life is very short when viewed in the light of the only purposed of it, i.e., Self-realization. To be emotionally attached to anything in this phenomenal world amounts to mere self-betrayal and is self-defeating too. This body, with the skin as its surface layer, flesh, bones and the blood within, is as frail a structure as a water bubble. Excessive fondness for one's spouse and children is the root of all other evil tendencies. In itself, this body of ours is made of inanimate matter and is ever changing and perishable. Only the 'Self' within is eternal and is our only true being. Joys and sorrows of worldly life are merely relative, subjective and are therefore illusory experiences to the realized. Man can break the fetters of this illusion only through the grace of the Guru. Therefore, Oh mother, do not hinder me in my resolve.
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The message of Shri Nrisimha Saraswati is summarized as under:
In our short fleeting span of human life, we should attempt to realize God through devotion
Use Buddhi (intellect) and Viveka (discrimination) to purify the minds.
Never think of hurting others in thought, word or deed.
Consider yourself blessed, if you secure the blessings of a Guru.
Strive to realize God who is inherent in...
ย ย ย Read moreComplete Spiritual & Travel Experience โ Shri Narsobawadi Datt Mandir
My recent visit to Shri Narsobawadi Datt Mandir in Kolhapur district was a deeply fulfilling experience โ both spiritually and as a traveler. The presence of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj can be truly felt here. The temple is peaceful and well-managed, and the afternoon Mahaprasad is served with love and devotion โ a must-experience for every devotee.
Throughout the day, various vidhis and pujas are continuously performed in and around the temple area โ such as abhishek, pradakshina, datta mala jaap, and sankalp pujas โ creating a strong spiritual atmosphere that makes you feel deeply connected and at peace.
The cold, holy water of the Krishna river nearby offers calmness and purity. I also enjoyed the boat rides (boat vihar) which provide a beautiful view of the temple and riverbank โ very relaxing especially during early morning or sunset.
For families and travelers, the place is very convenient:
There's a dedicated play area and stalls selling a variety of toys, which children enjoy.
The area has many restaurants and hotels, offering everything from local snacks to full meals and stay options for all budgets.
A big plus is the huge parking space that makes arriving and leaving easy, even on crowded days.
Around the temple, there are many small shops and stalls selling souvenirs โ like Devotional Books, photos and idols of Lord Dattatreya, prayer beads (malas), religious books, keychains, sweets like pedha,Basundi, Khawa, other prasad items and decorative items โ perfect for taking home as memories or gifts. The area is well-developed with many restaurants and hotels offering everything from local Maharashtrian meals to basic lodging and even AC rooms for longer stays are easily available, and local food is tasty and budget-friendly.
Whether you're a devotee seeking spiritual upliftment or a traveler looking for a serene and culturally rich destination, Shri Narsobawadi is a must-visit. It truly offers a complete experience of devotion, natural beauty, tradition, and comfort. Highly recommended for all age groups and especially for devotees of...
ย ย ย Read moreNarsobawadi or Narsinhwadi is a small village can be found at the confluence of Krishna and Panchganga rivers about 50 kilometers from Kolhapur. Also known for its archaeological significance, every year this place attracts tourists and devotees in large number.The Nrusinhawadi village is spread over an area of about one square mile, and is blessed with natural beauty and beautiful sceneries due to a confluence of Krishna river and Panchganga river and a thick forest of Audumber trees. Unlike other small towns in Maharashtra, Narsobawadi is sparsely populated.
The reason for the place to be considered highly sacred is because Shri Nrusinha Saraswati stayed here for 12 years. Shri Nrusinha Saraswati is the third incarnation od Shri is Dattaguru.Narsobawadi is well connected by road to cities like Kolhapur(50 km), Sangli(22 km), Jaisinghpur(14 km) and Miraj(19 km). MSRTC buses i.e the State transport buses regularly ply between these places.Private vehicles are also available from Kolhapur, Sangli and other nearby cities.The nearest train station is Jai Singhpur which is 5 km from Sangli railway station.There are numerous hotels, rest houses and lodges at Narsoba Wadi which you can choose from depending on your budget and duration of your stay. You will find rooms ranging from Rs 150 to Rs. 2,500 per day.
Since most devotees come here on a pilgrimage, they can choose the dharamshalas (visitors guest house) offered by the temple authorities. These places are right next to the Narsobawadi temple and is convenient for older pilgrims and also you could walk right away into the...
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