Sri Dattatreya Swamy
About the deity
About Sri Dattatreya Swamy
Sri Dattatreya Swamy, the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, embodies creation, preservation and dissolution.
Sri Dattatreya Swamy is the great avatar of the Trimurti — Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). His sanctum stands just before the temple entrance, giving darshan to all devotees.
According to our sacred scriptures, Sri Dattatreya was born to Sage Atri and Mata Anasuya. Our texts say that the Trimurti themselves incarnated as Dattatreya to bring divine knowledge to the world and to show the spiritual path.
Dattatreya is depicted with three heads symbolising the three aspects of the divine — creation, preservation and dissolution. Four dogs accompany him, representing the four Vedas, and a cow by his side represents Mother Earth.
Sri Guru Dattatreya is known as the Adi Guru — the first teacher. His teachings speak of the unity underlying all spiritual paths, the need to seek a true guru, the wisdom one can learn from every aspect of nature and creation, and transcending ego and worldly bonds.
Devotees worship Sri Dattatreya for spiritual guidance and enlightenment, for help in discovering their true path, for protection from negative influences, and for all-round well-being.
Devotees celebrate Dattatreya Jayanti with special pujas and recitations of the Dattatreya Stotra. Thursday is considered especially sacred for the worship of Dattatreya Swamy.
Spiritual significance
Reflects the unity of the Trimurti and offers guidance on the spiritual path.
- Guru
- Spiritual guidance
- Trimurti
- Protection
Visit information
Thursday is the most sacred day for Dattatreya puja and guru traditions.
Related pujas
- Dattatreya Abhishekam
- Guru Paduka Puja
Key festivals
- Dattatreya Jayanti
- Guru Purnima
