Shri Gurumandir Sansthan
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Gurumaharaj Janmasthan
Karanja, Distt. Washim, Maharashtra, INDIA 444105
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj is the second incarnation of Lord Shri
Dattatreya. Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj was born in Karanja, in the late 14th century. His name was Narahari. Madhava and Amba Kale were his parents. The janmasthan is located just behind the Gurumandir Temple.
The Childhood and Formative Years
Narahari surprised everyone by uttering the word, ‘om’ imediately after birth. Besides the word ‘om’, he did not develop the ability to speak during the normal formative years. His parents were very worried that the boy might be dumb. Narahari realised the worries of his parents and conveyed to them by sign language that he would have the speaking power after the ‘Upanayan (thread Ceremony)’ and they need not worry but plan his ‘upanayan’ at the right age. The parents felt reassured and at the appropriate age, performed the ‘upanayan sanskar’. To the surprise of all, when as a part of the ‘sanskar’, Narhari came to his mother for ‘bhiksha’ and the mother gave the first fistful of ‘bhiksha’, Narhari recited ‘Rigveda’ in clear tone. At the second fistful from his mother, Narhari recited ‘yajurveda’ and then the remaining two vedas. All elders and the ‘purohits’ who were present were convinced that Narahari had divine qualities. They bowed before him with reverence.
A year after the ‘upanayan sanskar’, young Narahari left for ‘Uttar Yatra (pilgrimage)’ and enroute, he took ‘Sanyas-Diksha’ at Kashi (Varanasi) . He was thereafter named ‘Nrusimha Saraswati’.
The Sainthood Years
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati spent most of his life in the Krishna-Bhima basin, which today comprises the tri-state region of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He had divine powers and the common people from all walks of life experienced his divine abilities over a long period. He had many disciples and his work in vitalising the ‘Sanatan Vedic Dharma’ was remarkable. He rigorously practised the ‘vedic’ rituals in his daily life.
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj is truly regarded as one of the great pioneers of ‘Guru-Parampara’. He preached and convinced the total devotion and unflinching faith in one’s `Guru’ as the surest path to attaining ‘moksha’.
Karanja, Narsobachiwadi, Ganagapur, Oudumber, are some of the prominent places where Shri Nrusimha Saraswati stayed and preached his disciples. He ended his ‘avatar-karya’ at Shri Shailyam in Andhra Pradesh by wading into the great Krishna River. He told his disciples that some flowers would come back from the river at the place where he entered the river. Exactly as he told, the flowers came and the disciples took them back as ‘Prasad-pushpa’.
His life spanned over the late 14th century and greater part of 15th century AD. The ‘Guru-Parampara’ continues ever after.
3. Karanja
Karanja is famous for its Nrusimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj temple. Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Gurumaharaj is the second avatar (incarnation) of Lord Dattatreya. Born in Karanja in 1378, he traveled far and wide in what is now known as the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He achieved Sainthood and performed several miracles. He imparted spiritual knowledge to his disciples, many of whom themselves attained Sainthood. The Gurumandir Temple conducts several major events to celebrate the various avatars of Lord Dattatreya. Over the past 100 years, Gurumandir has become a nucleus for religious and social welfare activities in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.
Other old temples are Vitthal mandir, Chote Ram mandir and as well as famous “Kannao Ram mandir”. Each year Ramnavami and other Hindu religious activities are performed in these temples.
https://youtu.be/jhaJTzJppg8
The birthplace of Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati. It is known as Lad – Karanje. Brahmanand Sarasvati of Kashi first built a temple of Deity Datta here.
