What is the significance of Dattatreya Jayanti, and how is it celebrated?

Dattatreya Jayanti, also known as Datta Jayanti, is a famous festival celebrated annually in the Margasirsa month (Hindu calendar).

Avatar of Trimurti

Bhagwan Dattatreya is the incarnation of the Trimurti, i.e., Bhagwan Bramha, Bhagwan Vishnu and Bhagwan Shiv.

This Sanyasi Avatar of the Trimurti inspired the monastic movement in Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. Most of his followers are from the Deccan region, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Himalayas. Also, his followers in the state of Bengal call him Trinath.

Hindu devotees in most regions believe that he is an incarnation of Bhagwan Shiv due to his aesthetic nature. Others believe that Bhagwan Dattatreya is the Avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu and Rishi Durvasa the Avatar of Bhagwan Shiv.

In Garuda Purana, Bramha Purana and Sattvata Samhita, he is mentioned as an Avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu.

Reference in the ancient Hindu text

One can find several Upanishads and Vedanta-Yoga texts dedicated to Bhagwan Dattatreya. In addition, Avaadhuta Gita is attributed to him.

The story behind his birth

According to the Vedas, he is the son of Rishi Atri and his wife, Devi Anasuya. It is said that Devi Anasuya performed severe penance to obtain a son with the qualities of the Trimurti. Her determination made Maa Laxmi, Maa Parvati and Maa Saraswati jealous. They compelled the Trimurti to test the virtuosity of Devi Anasuya.

The Trimurti reluctantly agreed to their demand and appeared before Devi Anasuya as Sanyasis. When Devi Anasuya was about to give them Bhiksha (alms), the three Sanyasis laid a condition. They asked her to offer alms without wearing any clothes.

Devi Anasuya understood that the three Sanyasis are none other than the Trimurti. she uttered a Mantra and turned the Sanyaisi into babies.

On his return, Devi Anusuya narrated the story to Rishi Atri. The elated Rishi blessed the three babies and transformed them into one baby.

When the three gods did not return to their abodes, their worried wives approached Devi Anusuya and begged forgiveness.

Devi Anusuya requested their request and turned the Trimurti into their natural form. Before leaving, the Trimurti blessed Rishi Atri and Devi Anusuya with a son.

Rituals on Dattatreya Jayanti

On this auspicious day, devotees bathe in holy rivers and streams. They observe fast, entire, perform the puja of Bhagwan Dattatreya and sing Bhajans.

Some devotees meditate, and a few take a vow to follow Bhagwan’s teachings for a lifetime.

In some homes, devotees read Avadhuta Gita, Jivanmukta Gita and Datta Prabodh in reverence to Bhagwan Dattatreya.

A few devotees read Guru Charite, a book based on the life of Narasimha Saraswati, who was considered an Avatar of Bhagwan Dattatreya.

The Celebration

During Dattatreya Jayanti, temples dedicated to Bhagwan Dattatreya are entirely decorated with flowers and lights. People queue up outside the temple for Darshan.

Devotees offer coconuts, flowers, bananas and yellow-coloured sweets.

Temples of Bhagwan Dattatreya

Bhagwan Dattatreya’s temples can be found across India. But the most significant ones are in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Some of these temples are located in -

Girnar — Saurashtra

Gangapur — Karnataka

Pithapuram — Andhra Pradesh

Narasimha Wadi — Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Audumbar — Sangli, Maharashtra

Ruibhar — Osmanabad, Maharashtra

Grand Celebration

The Manik Prabhu Temple (in Manik Nagar) holds a 7-day festival. The celebration begins from Ekadasi and ends on Poornima (full moon).

Sant Manik Prabhu, another Avatar of Bhagwan Dattatreya, was born on Dattatreya Jayanti.

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