Ganigapuram or Gangapuram Road – Dattatreya Temple.Departure from Mantralayam Road towards Ganigapuram by 11:30PM in Lokamanya Tilak Express, which reached Ganigapur Road by 4:15 AM, early in the morning.
Although the entrance to Ganigapur was not so rosy a picture with bad roads and stinking water clogged places around. Next surprise was with the slang of kannada language used here with marati words inbetween, like “ auto fare - do sou dus rupiya agtada sir or about Train – Dhoova Bithkondu Hoothadha”
We got a good accommodation near to Ganigapur bus stand (Trimurthy Lodge). Had the early morning bath and immediately followed by breakfast near the temple, were happy to get the breakfast matching with Karnataka, as this place has more of Maharashtrian culture..
Visit to the Ganigapur Temple, although you find lot of people begging in different ways, once you enter the temple road which is properly cemented and fair like environment by the shops around, gives you a soothing experience. The main Dattatreya swami here is having the significance of having Datta Paduka (Footwear) – installed here by
Sri Naramsima Saraswathi who is considered as the incarnation of Datta himself. Also the idol here is basically three heads signifying Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, which is to be seen from the hole in front of the wall of these deities. Also there is a big Audhumbhara Tree just at the exit directly in front of Dattatreya Temple.Visit to Kalleshwara Temple –which is just 5 mins walk from the Datta Temple. Here the environment is very calm and the temple complex is well maintained with stone slabs on the floors and trees around the temple, particularly the neem trees with a lot of parrots chirrping on the trees.
Visit to Sangama - We took an auto from here towards Sangama, which is a place where the two rivers Amraja & Bhima meet, the banks of the Sangama has a Datta Audhumbhara Tree where people chant the Datta Charita Stotrams and perform poojas.
Also as you come down near to the waters, just on the banks people make Lingams from the sand and offer pooja and also perform pooja to the sangama waters. Also there is a Diesel Boat ride which will take your around the sangama places for 5 mins. Taking bath in this Sangama was a beautiful experience, with very mild under currents in the water.
Back from Sangama towards the Ganigapur you have the Bhasma Gudda, where people say Sage Parashurama had performed the sacred Yagna and the Bhasma of the same available all around this mount. Also you find the Sai Mandir on the way just near to the Datta Temple. Also 5 mins walk from here just behind the Datta Temple, free meals (prasadam) are served.Left towards Bangalore from Ganigapur at 4:00PM and reached station at about 5:15 PM, Udhyan arrived at around 6:30PM at the station.
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