AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Way back in 1987, Sri Swamiji first visited Nagareshvara Swamy Shiva temple in the Manginapudi beach village, 11 kilometers from Machilipatnam. This is the only Shiva temple situated in the extreme east coast of Bay Of Bengal Sea.

As the management of the temple was difficult, it was handed over to Sri Swamiji in 1987 by Sri Nagareshvara Trust headed by Ketavarapu Radha Krishna Murthy (now deceased) after the demise of original founder Sri Late Chinta Soma Sundara Josyulu. Thereupon Sri Swamiji took up a number of improvement activities by constructing a vast Mukha Mantapa in front of Nagareshvara Shiva Temple and provided 12 Holy Teerthas (water wells) so that the people who do not afford a trip to Rameshvara (in Tamil Nadu) can take holy bath in all the Teerthas. Sri Swamiji then proclaimed that the dip here had the same effect as in Rameshvara. This was inaugurated in 1993 January. Earlier in 1991, a Dattatreya temple with Datta and Anagha Devi was inaugurated (21st January 1991). A beautiful Guru Nilaya was constructed and inaugurated on 9 January 1997. After providing the 12 wells, the visitors and pilgrims spurted and the place became well known. Presently the visitors are very high in the months of Kaartika (around November) and Magha (around February).

 

Today the Ashrama measures about 4.5 acres.

 

Apart from the daily Pujas, special festivals are observed. A school of Vaikhaanasa Aagama is being run. Every Full moon Datta Homa and Shivaratri of every month, Rudra Homa is performed. Ashrama maintains a cow protection house, which houses several destitute, and old age cows. A specially designed Navagraha temple was inaugurated on 9th January 1999. This sprawling temple houses the nine planetary Devathas spaciously and each Graha can be worshipped and Pradakshina performed individually or collectively.

 

In this visit of Sri Swamiji from 15th to 17th February, a hall was constructed in front of Dattatreya temple and the same was named as Parama Pujya Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji Shashtyabdi Purti Jnapika Samaavesha Mantapa. A cement road laid from the main beach road to Datta temple was inaugurated. On Magha Purnima, 16th February 2003, Sri Swamiji performed the Kumbhabhishekam of the Datta Temple as 12 years had elapsed after consecration. As it was Purnima day tens of thousands of people had come for sea bath and many of those who came to Ashrama were fed.

 

Adding to this, the trust is also maintaining an old age home in Machilipatnam. 23 old people are residing in the home. They are provided food and given care. Added to it 25 beggars are fed daily since 9th January 1999. Future plans include a children playground.