Sri Kshetra Ganagapur – Sacred Abode of Shri Nrusimha Saraswathi & the Astha Theerthas

 

Sri Kshetra Ganagapur, located in Karnataka, is a revered spiritual center where Shri Nrusimha Saraswathi, the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, resided for over 24 years. This holy site is renowned for its Astha Theerthas—eight sacred bathing spots revealed by Shri Guru himself, each carrying immense spiritual potency and healing power.

Importance of Astha Theerthas

Shri Nrusimha Saraswathi instructed his disciples to bathe in these eight theerthas to attain purification, protection, and liberation. Each theertha is associated with divine legends and is spiritually equivalent to bathing in other major pilgrimage sites across India.

The Eight Sacred Theerthas

1.     Shatkula Theerth (Bhima–Amarja Sangama)

o    Equivalent to Triveni Sangam of Prayag

o    Amarja River emerged from nectar spilled by Indra

o    Bathing here prevents diseases and untimely death

o    Shri Guru strongly recommends bathing here

2.     Nrusimha Theerth

o    Worshipping Sangameshwara here equals darshan of Mallikarjuna Swamy in Srisailam

o    Fulfills heartfelt wishes

o    Located just meters from Shatkula Theerth

3.     Bhagirathi Theerth

o    As sacred as Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi

o    Lord Shiva manifested a kund here for daily darshan

o    Located 2 km from Nrusimha Theerth

4.     Papavinashini Theerth

o    Destroys all sins

o    Ideal for those unable to visit all Astha Theerthas

o    Located 500 meters from Bhagirathi Theerth

5.     Koti Theerth

o    Equivalent to bathing in Jambu Dweepa

o    Highly auspicious on Sankranti, Grahan, and Amavasya

o    Charity here yields maximum spiritual merit

6.     Rudrapada Theerth

o    Equal to a bath in Gaya

o    Preferred site for Shraddha and Kriya Karma

o    Located near Koti Theerth

7.     Chakreshwar Theerth

o    Holier than bathing in Dwaraka

o    Adjacent to Lord Keshava and Chakreshwara Mandir

8.     Manmatha Theerth

o    Final theerth in the sequence

o    Bathing and worshipping Kalleshwara here equals darshan at Gokarna Mahabaleshwara

o    Located in front of Kalleshwara Mandir

Spiritual Benefits

  • Bathing in all Astha Theerthas removes sins, doshas, and karmic burdens
  • Enhances health, longevity, and spiritual progress
  • Ideal time to visit: Naraka Chaturdashi and Deepavali, when thousands of devotees gather for holy dips and darshan

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