1) Importance of the Destination
Jagadguru Sri Dattatreya Maha Samsthana Peetham
Jagadguru Sri Dattatreya Maha Samsthana Peetham
A place which was famous for Datta cult, which is connected with Lord Dattatreya, 700 years ago, the same place is named as Srikshetra Sri Vallabhapuram by his holiness Sri Sri Sri Swamy Vittalananda Saraswati Maharaj. He has constructed a new DattaTemple in this holy place.
The Pilgrimage of Sripada Srivallabha: Sri Pada left the house, taking the permission of his mother, visited many Kshetras on foot, took a dip in many Thirthas. He toured throughout the North India and purified those places. He blessed many great souls and seekers of salvation. With spiritual wisdom (Gnana), he turned many unrightful persons into rightful persons making them understand their defects. In his tour, on the way he reached Gokarna Kshetra and stayed there for few years performing penance. There also he set right many sadhakas correcting their defects and the practice of Yoga. Then he proceeded to Srisailam and performed penance for some time. Srisaila Kshetra became more pious and powerful on account of his penance. Afterwards he came to Kuruvapuram Agraharam, which is existing in the riverbed of Krishna. He selected that place for his abode and for his penance. During his stay there he removed serious difficulties for the devotees, who visited him, he blessed the devotees with money and their desired objects. Even today with his divine blessings the devotees are fulfilling their desires, who visit that place.
Many devotees have recognised and served Sri Pada Sri Vallabha as the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Even then he did not exhibit his devine power extensively but he rescued many people who approached him with different difficulties and ailments. Sri Vallabha used to go to the other bank of the river Krishna daily from Karuvapuram and was sitting on a huge stone and performing Surya Namaskaras during the dawn. Even today the devotees are clearly seen and prostrating to the impressions of his feet and hands. If one wants to reach that place he has to cross the river Krishna from Karuvapuram and reach the North bank of KrishnaRiver. This particular place is called Sri Kshetra Sri Vallabhapuram today. The Pada Sri Vallabha Swamy showed some wonderful leelas from this place.
The Birth an History of Sri Pada Sri Vallabha:
Bhagawan Sri Krishna promised his devotees that he will descend from Vaikuntha into this world whenever there is a decay of Dharma and increase of adharma. Accordingly, Lord Dattatreya has come into this world once again during the 14th century. He incarnated in a village known as Pithapuram, situated in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Sri Vallabha took his birth from the mother Sumathi and the father Appalaraju Sarma. They were the blessed parents, who were the devotees of Lord Dattatreya. One day Sri Dattatreya went to their home taking the form of holy person (Sadhu) for receiving Bhiksha. On the particular day, Sri Appala Raju Sharma had to worship his Pitru devas (ceremony) and made all the arrangements. On that day unless the invited priests who represent the Pitrudevas, take t heir food no other person should be fed. But, it is the belief of the devotees of Lord Dattatreya that they would be insulting the Lord if they do not feed the Sadhu who is standing at their gate. Considering the situation the house wife Srimathi Sumathi Devi thought for some time and offered food to the Sadhu with a full faith that the Sadhu himself is the Bhoktha (priest) representing Lord Dattatreya. The Sadhu received the food offered by her and appeared as Lord Dattatreya which is his real form in accordance with her view. She is the most fortunate lady. She knew no bounds to her job at this most beautiful and unexpected darshan of the Lord. She forgot every thing for a while. Then the Lord spoke to her “Oh my Mother! You believed me as the Bhoktha and gave me food. I am pleased with your belief, hence you may ask me a boon, tell me what do you want”. Then that chaste lady prayed the Lord “Oh Lord, you addressed me as your Mother just now. Therefore, you bless me that I become your Mother. I don’t want any other boon or fortune”. The Lord was very much pleased with her pious idea and meritorious deeds. He blessed her “Oh Mother, you desire will be fulfilled certainly”. After some time Sumathi Devi became pregnant, gave birth to Sri Dattatreya at a holy time and made her life a successful one. Prior to that she had two sons. One of them was lame and the other was blind. As this third child was having all the holy signs on his hands and foot they named that boy as “Sri Pada Sri Vallabha”.
When Sri Pada became seven years old, his parents wanted to educate him and performed Upanayanam (Thread marriage). The moment he was initiated, he started teaching Vedas to his disciples. Looking at this act of the boy this parents believed that the boon given by Lord Dattatreya was fructified and that this boy was the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya himself. Sri Pada attained his sixteenth year. His father was intending to perform his marriage. Knowing this fact the boy spoke to his father that he descended for the cause of welfare of the whole world. He will receive the hand of Yogashree (the lady who is known as Yoga) and he asked for the permission of his parents to tour throughout the country. Hearing that his parents replied “My dear Son, look at these two your elder brothers. They are physically handicapped. We are more worried about their future life. We forgot that worry after you were born to us. If you leave us in these conditions, our life will be full of misery from now onwards. Hearing the most pathetic words of his parents Sri Pada approached his two elder brothers, touched them with his holy hand. Immediately the defective bodies were set right by Sri Pada. Then Sri Pada requested his elder brothers to serve their parents and showed his real Dattatreya from to his mother. Then her delusion was wiped out. She was afraid because she could not recognise her son as the Lord of the whole world who descended to protect the universe. Then she permitted the boy to tour over the world. This is how Sri Pada Sri Vallabha came out of his house and set for the pilgrimage.
2) National Importance
The destination has good national importance. Pilgrims/ Tourists are visiting this destination from Maharashtra (all places), Karnataka, Goa, and other States of India. Datta devotees are more in Maharashtra and are visiting the destination from Shiridi. The devotees of Akukot Swamy Samartha Maharaj, and Narasimha Saraswathi’s devotees are Dathatreya devotees and all are visiting this place very frequently. Those who visit Pithapuram also visit this place very frequently.
3) Location and Reach
Road: Visitors can reach the destination from Raichur Railway Station, which is on Bombay-Madras Route. Then travel in a bus, which goes from Raichur to Hyderabad and step down at Makthal. From there, one can proceed to Panchadeva Pahad in bus and get down there and reach Sri Kshetra Sri Vallabhapuram. There is also another route from Hyderabad to Raichur via Mahabubnagar and step down at Makthal. Pilgrims coming from Kurnool have to reach via Gadwal, Amarachinta and Makthal. The distance from Makthal is about 18 km and Mahabubnagar is about 80 km.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Krishna (about 45 km) to travel from Maharashtra; Raichur (about 65 km) to travel from Karnataka and Mahabubnagar (about 80 km) to travel from AP.
Air: The nearest Airport is InternationalAirport at Shamshabad (Hyderabad), which is about 180 km.
4) Jurisdiction of the Destination
The Temple is under the jurisdiction and control of Sri Sri Sri Swamy Vithalananda Saraswati Maharaj, Founder-President of Sri Kshetra Sri Vallabhapuram at Pasupala Village, Panchadeva Pahad.
5) Road Condition
From Mahabubnagar to Raichur via Makthal, BT double road is available. From Makthal to Pasupala Gate, 12′ BT Road with average condition available. 12′ Metal Road is available from Pasupala Gate to the destination with average condition.
6) Present Status of Tourist Attractions around the Destination
The following are the main nearest tourist places/attractions available around the proposed destination.
Ø Krishna River
Ø Cluster of temples located in the premises viz., Lord Trisula, Sri Kalabairava, Sri Chakra, Anagha Matha, Sri Dattatreya Swamy, Sri Siva, Srirama, Saibaba, Renuka Matha, Sahaja Ganapathi.
Ø All the temples proposed for heritage circuit in Mahabubnagar district
7) Visitors Flow at the Destination
The flow of visitors to the destination has been increasing every year. As per the local people and officials of destinations, the visitors’ flow during the three years is as below:
Year
Approximate No. of Visitors
2006-07
2,44,680
2007-08
3,26,240
2008-09
4,07,800
It found that more than 200 people per day on an average are visiting the temple and the number goes up to 500 persons on Thursday. The visitors flow on Sundays and Public Holidays is around 300 persons per day.
During the festival days, the tourists flow is very high at the destination. On Sivaratri Festival day, the pilgrims flow is more than 10,000 per day on an average. The authority performs Sriramanavami Festival and Kalyanam at the destination and the pilgrims flow is more than 10,000 per day. The Gurupournami Festival is celebrated at the destination very grandly for a period of 5 days and pilgrims flow during these days is more than 20,000 per day on an average. Another important festival celebrated at this temple is Dasara Navaratrulu and the flow of pilgrims during these 9 days will be more than 5,000 per day. The temple authority celebrates Datta Jayanthi for a period of 3 days and about 10,000 pilgrims per day attend for the same. The devotees celebrate Swamiji Birthday on 11th September every year and more than 10,000 devotees of Swamiji attend for the same. Marriages have been performing by the temple authority.
8) Estimated Future Visitors Flow
The visitors’ flow to the destination has been increasing year by year and the estimated future flow of visitors/tourists is as follows.
Year
Estimated Visitors
2009-10
6,11,700
2010-11
7,74,820
2011-12
8,97,160
Justification for Tourist Flow
The logic behind the estimation of future visitors’ flow is that there is huge potential to attract the visitors. The rationale is as follows.
Ø Due to the importance of temple, place and trust, the flow of pilgrims/devotees increasing day-by-day
Ø Water body is available beside the temple, which provides good beauty to this temple
Ø Awareness is increasing day-by-day about this temple and the flow of pilgrims to this destination has been increasing every year.
Ø On festivals, Fridays, Tuesdays, Sundays and Public holidays, the pilgrims flow to the destination is very high
Ø The destination has historical importance and pilgrims trust the Swamiji well.
Ø Increasing number of tourists from all the States of India especially Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and also other places of AP
Ø The average growth of visitors flow is increasing on an average of 20% – 25%. Apart from this, if the Tourism Department provides infrastructure and promotional facilitates for tourists, that can add another tourist flow of 20% – 25%.
9) Special Days of Attraction and Visitors Flow
It revealed from the field survey that the visitors prefer the following days in general.
Thursdays – Tourist flow is very high
Festival Days viz., Sivaratri, Sriramanavami, Gurupournimi, Dasara Navaratrulu, Datta Jayanthi, Swamiji Birthday – Very huge tourist flow
Sundays and Public Holidays increase the flow to some extent
Special occasions like marriages, family tours, etc
Vacations (like Summer Vacation and Winter Vacation)
10) Income Profile of Visitors
The approximate income profile of visitors to the destination is as below:
Lower Income People : 20%
Middle Income People : 50%
Higher Income People : 30%
The place has good importance and the destination is developed under the guidance of Kanchi Peethadhipathis & other Peethadhipathis. Many dignitaries like IAS, IPS Officers, Ministers, High Court Judges and other rank people visit this destination. The middle-income group people visit this temple very frequently as their belief on the importance of this place and Swamiji is more.
11) Purpose of Visit
Most of pilgrims visit the destination primarily for devotional purpose. They conduct pujas with large groups.
12) Origin of Tourists
The approximate percentage of tourists and places from where the tourists have been visiting the destination are as follows.
Ø 70% from all the villages and mandals of Mahabubnagar district
Ø 10% from other places of AP
Ø 10% from Karnataka
Ø 10% from other places of other States
13) Mode of Transport
Most of the middle and lower income groups of pilgrims, who come from long distances and residing in & surrounded villages/mandals visit destination through APSRTC buses, sharing autos, etc as a group. The pilgrims from Maharashtra and Karnataka visit this destination through by 4-wheelers.
14) Frequency of Visits
It found that 20% of the visitors are new persons and visited the destination first time after knowing the importance of the destination. About 80% of the pilgrims have been repeating the visit to the destination at least once in a year along with their friends and relatives with large groups.
15) Group Size
The visitors have been coming to the destination along with their family members and relatives & friends as a group. The approximate group size consists of 5 -15 persons by 4-wheeler (jeep, car); 30 – 60 persons by tourist buses; 20 – 30 persons by tractors; 50-100 persons by lorry. The minimum group size is 5 – 6 persons.
16) Accommodation Facilities, Booking and Duration of Stay
Accommodation facilities are available at the destination to some extent. The temple authority is maintaining 16 rooms and providing accommodation at free of cost. The temple authority allows to stay in Gyana Mandhi, where many people can stay/sleep. The devotees can either book rooms by contacting phone or they can avail the facility after reaching the destination by contacting the TempleManager. The management allows pilgrims/devotees to stay for one day only and if the rooms have no demand, then they will permit to stay further.
17) Food & Beverages Facilities
The temple authority provides food to the devotees/pilgrims, who stay in the rooms. The other pilgrims have to inform the management for food, then only the management provides/cooks food to them. The temple authority is not charging for food and not collecting room rents from the pilgrims. There are no hotels/bunks available at the temple place.
18) Illumination Facilities
Illumination facilities are available only inside the temple and temple premises. The authority is maintaining well. Electricity facility is available to the rooms/cottages. Illumination facilities are not available outside the temple and surrounded places of the destination.
19) Sewerage and Public Toilets
There are no public toilet facilities available for public. The authority told that underground drainage system is required but not essential.
20) Water Facilities
Drinking water facility is available at the destination. Satya Sai Trust is providing drinking water facility to this destination.
21) Banking/ATM Facilities
SBH, SBI, Andhra Bank and Cooperative Bank are available at Makthal. SBH is providing ATM facility at Makthal.
22) Emergency Health Facility
There is no medical aid facility available at the destination but at Chityal, 5 km away from the destination, RMP doctors are available. PHC (Primary Health Centre), medical shops, etc are available at Makthal.
23) Cleanness
The authority is maintaining cleanness inside of the temple very well. The temple is not maintaining the cleanness outside the temple premises.
24) Landscaping and Park Maintenance
There is no landscaping/park available at the destination.
25) Safety/Security of Tourists
There are Priests, Manager and other personnel of temple authority available at the destination and they can take care of safety and security of the devotees/pilgrims. There are no threats or robberies occurred at the destination.
26) Guide Services
There are no tourist guides available at the temple premises. The priests and temple personnel explain about the history and importance of the temple.
27) Wayside Amenities
There are no facilities available at the destination and is located on the shore of River Krishna, away from the village. Availability of support services like minor repairs, air filling stations, petrol, information, etc are not available at the destination but available at Makthal.
28) Communication Facilities
It noticed that Idea mobile phones receive signals from the telephone towers at the destination. BSNL landline also works at destination place. The mobile phones of Karnataka Region receive signals well at the destination. Coin operated PCO boxes not available at the destination premises for public on pay and use basis.
29) Marketing Facilities (Arches, Information Centre, Destination Boards, Direction Boards, etc)
There are some copies of published material (brochures, etc) about the temple available at the destination while visiting the destination. The temple authority publishes pamphlets/booklets during festival occasions once in a year and distributes the same to the pilgrims.
30) Shopping Facilities
Three are no shops available at the destination.
31) Local Transport
Private autos and 4-wheelers are available at Makthal. Pilgrims have to travel from Makthal to the destination place at mutually agreed price.
32) Parking Facilities
There is plenty of vacant space available inside and outside of the temple. At present, there is no systematic parking provision is made by the authority at the destination. Visitors are parking their vehicles inside the temple premises as convenient to pilgrims.
33) Other Facilities
On Every Thursday, the authority have been performing and organizing bajans regularly. The management also conducts meditation, yoga classes occasionally. The management is planning to construct/arrange Yagnasala, Daily puja programme, construction of Datta Peeta Temple, introduction of Daily Food Distribution System, Daily Yagna Programme, construction of Old Age Home, and wants to conduct summer classes for children and elders separately.
shri gurudev dutt