Ganagapura

{{Infobox settlement | name = Ganagapura | official_name = Ganagapur | native_name = ಗಾಣಗಾಪುರ | native_name_lang = kan | nickname = Deval Ganagapura | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = Shri Kshetra Ganagapur | pushpin_map = India Karnataka | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India | latd = 17.1817700 | latm = | lats = | latNS = N | longd = 76.534286 | longm = | longs = | longEW = E | coordinates_display = inline,title | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Karnataka | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Gulbarga | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = Town Panchayat | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_total = 7000 | population_as_of = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = Ganagapurnivaru | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Language | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Kannada | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 585212 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 08470 | registration_plate = KA32 | blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city | blank1_info_sec1 = Afzalpura, Gulbarga | blank2_name_sec1 = Lok Sabha constituency | blank2_info_sec1 = Gulbarga | blank3_name_sec1 = Vidhan Sabha constituency | blank3_info_sec1 = Afzalpura | blank4_name_sec1 = Civic agency | blank4_info_sec1 = Town Panchayat | blank5_name_sec1 = Website | blank5_info_sec1 = http//:Www.Ganagapur.in aswati.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Narasimha Saraswati]]

Ganagapura (sometimes called Deval Ganagapur) is a Village in Karnataka, India. It is located in the Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka.

The village is noted for its temple to Lord Dattatreya, who is said to have attained realization on the confluence (Sangama) of the banks of the rivers Bhima-Amarja.

Demographics

In India's 2001 census, Ganagapura had a population of 6491, with 3250 males and 3241 females.

Religious significance

Ganagapura is a kshetra (place of pilgrimage) associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. According to the book Shri GuruCharitra, he promised that he would abide forever at Ganagapura. In the morning, he would bathe at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers. At midday, he would go through the village asking for bhiksha (alms of food), and accept pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple. Devotees believe that by bathing at the confluence, by begging (Maadhukari) from at least five houses in Ganagapura, and by offering Paduka Pooja at the temple, they can experience the living presence (darśana) of Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, and be freed from sins and granted wishes.

Places of interest

Significant places include Nirgun Math, Kalleshewar. The Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. Sangam Kshetra – meeting point of Bhima and Amarja rivers, Audumbar Tree, Ash Hill etc.

Lord Dattatreya’s incarnations

Sripaad Shree Vallabh was born in a Brahmin family in a village named Pithapuram (East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, India) and disappeared in Kurvapur.

Narasimha Saraswati (1378−1458) is the Purna avatar of Dattatreya. (As per the Shreepad Shreevallabha Charitra he is second avatar of Dattatreya). He was born in Karanjapur which is modern Lad-Karanja or Karanja in Maharashtra Vidharbha region. He was initially named Narahari or Shaligramadeva. His father's name was Madhav and mother's name was Amba-Bhavani. His surname was Kale. He was born in a Deshastha Brahmin family, Shulka-Yajurvedi Brahman Kanva Shaka, at Karanja.

Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot is an avatar of Dattatreya. His origins are obscure, yet a tale confirms him as Nrusimha Bhan, from Kardalivan near Srisailam. He attained samadhi in April–May of the year 1878.

Transportation

Ganagapur is well connected by road and rail. There are many state-run buses from Gulbarga to Ganagapur. The town is on the railway route. Travellers need to get down at the Ganagapur Road railway station, which is on Gulbarga-Mumbai route. From there to Ganagapur is 22 kilometres (14 mi) by bus or auto-rickshaw. The nearest airport is at Hyderabad located 245 kilometres from Ganagapur. State of roads is pathetic showing years of neglect. Road works appear to be in progress, and is estimated to take a few years from time of this writing (Jun 2015). Pilgrims also from maharashtra state can come via solapur and Akkalkot. Both this places are having good connectivity to Ganagapur.