Ashta Teerthas at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur (8 Holy Ghats in Bhima River)
In the 49th Adhyay / Chapter of Shri Guru Charitra, Namadharaka asks Shri Siddha Muni "Why did Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati choose to stay in Sri Kshetra Ganagapur even though there were many other Punya Kshetras on the earth ?"
In reply Sri Siddha Muni starts narrating the Importance of Ganagapur Kshetra. When Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati was staying In Ganagapur, once during the festival of Deepavali on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, Shri Guru said to all the villagers "Let us go and bath at Trishali (3 Distant Holy Pilgrimage places i. e. Prayaga, Kashi and Gaya ) with all our kith and kins." The wonderstruck disciples said ' it's quite a long journey, we require some time for preparations’. Shri Guru says ‘These Teerthas are all nearby. So there is no need of any preparations.’ Shri Guru takes them to Sangam and asks everyone of them to take bath there.
In reply Sri Siddha Muni starts narrating the Importance of Ganagapur Kshetra. When Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati was staying In Ganagapur, once during the festival of Deepavali on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, Shri Guru said to all the villagers "Let us go and bath at Trishali (3 Distant Holy Pilgrimage places i. e. Prayaga, Kashi and Gaya ) with all our kith and kins." The wonderstruck disciples said ' it's quite a long journey, we require some time for preparations’. Shri Guru says ‘These Teerthas are all nearby. So there is no need of any preparations.’ Shri Guru takes them to Sangam and asks everyone of them to take bath there.
Shatakula Teerth ( Bhima-Amarja Sangam)
He says this Teerth is as holy as Triveni Sangam of Prayag Kshetra. He narrates the Story of how River Amarja emerged from the Amruta that fell down on earth from Indras Hands. And further it's confluence with River Bhima makes the Spot much more holier. A dip in this Teertham prevents any kind of Diseases and Untimely Death. On the Banks of this Teertham stands the holy Audumbara tree.
Shri Guru further takes them to the following Teerthas and explains the Importance of bath at each of the Teerths.
Shri Guru further takes them to the following Teerthas and explains the Importance of bath at each of the Teerths.
Nrusimha Teerth
Worshipping Sri Sangameshwara Lingam after taking bath here amounts to Worship of Jyotirlinga Shrishailya Mallikarjuna. Any kind of wishes (Manorath) are fulfilled by taking bath here. This Teerth is located beside Shatakula Teerth and just opposite to the Sangam Mandir.
Bhagirathi (Varanasi) Teerth
A Dip here is considered as Holy as Bath at Manikarnika Kund at Kashi Kshetra. A story is narrated regarding this in Shri Guru Charitra. Once there was a great Shiva Bhakta Brahmin of Bharadwaj Gotra who Pleased Lord Shiva with his Pure Bhakti and when Lord Shiva appeared before him to offer a boon the brahmin said he wants to take bath in Manikarnika Kund and have Darshan of Lord Vishwanath daily. Lord Shiva granted his wish and lo a Kund emerged there and flowing further it joined the Bhima River. So this place is considered as holy as Varanasi Kshetra.
Papavinashi Teerth
As the name suggests, a Bath in this Teertham nullifies all the accumulated Sins. Here Shri Guru called his Purvashrama Bhagini (Sister) Ratnai and Said, ‘You had killed a Cat with a Stick and therefore you are having Leprosy. You should take bath here daily and your disease will disappear'. She stayed there and after bathing for three days, her disease disappeared.
Koti Teerth
Bathing in this Teerth is equivalent to taking bath in all the Teerthas of Jambu Dweepa. One should bathe here on Makara Sankramana, Gruhana day, Purnima and Amavasya and give a cow with a calf as Danam (Go-daan). A Charity done here gives Ananta Phalam (a crore times more reward).
Rudrapada Teerth
This Teerth is considered equivalent to Gaya and so Shraddha Karma for departed souls, etc are performed by devotees here for Pitru Shanti. During the 5 Days Festival of Magha Utsav, on the last day Gopal Kalwa is celebrated by way of taking Shri Datta Palakhi to this Rudra Pada Teertha where thousands of devotees do Avabhruta Snan (Ritualistic Holy Bath) along with Sri Datta Padukas.
Chakra Teerth
Bathing in this Teerth is considered much More Holier than the Bath in all the Teerthas of Dwaraka put together. Ancient Kesava Dev Temple and Chakreshwara Shiva Mandir are located beside this Teerth. This Teertha is very near to the Temple and can be reached by just 2 minutes walk.
Manmatha Teerth
Located just in front of the Kalleshwara Mandir, a Bath in this Teerth and then worshipping Kalleshwara is like taking bath in Gokarna and worshipping Lord Mahabaleshwara. It is said a Holy bath here ensures Financial Wellbeing and Continuation of Family Lineage.
Devotees Visiting Sri Kshetra Ganagapur do the Ashta Teerth Snan at Large Number. The Bath in Ashta Teertha’s on Naraka Chathurdashi (during Deepawali) day is very powerful. On that particular day a Silver Dindi representing Shri Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj is carried by Temple Priests and is taken to all 8 Teerthas for Holy Bath . Thousands of devotees accompany the Dindi and Complete Ashta Teertha Snan. All accumulated sins and doshas will be negated by taking bath in these 8 Teerthas.
Devotees Visiting Sri Kshetra Ganagapur do the Ashta Teerth Snan at Large Number. The Bath in Ashta Teertha’s on Naraka Chathurdashi (during Deepawali) day is very powerful. On that particular day a Silver Dindi representing Shri Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj is carried by Temple Priests and is taken to all 8 Teerthas for Holy Bath . Thousands of devotees accompany the Dindi and Complete Ashta Teertha Snan. All accumulated sins and doshas will be negated by taking bath in these 8 Teerthas.
Note :- Ashta Teerth Snan can be done anytime if u have got sufficient time during your Ganagapur Visit. The 8 Teerthas are spread over a distance of 4 to 5 kms and also it's a Kaccha Road that passes through the middle of farms. So one may even hire an auto as it will be taking more than 4 hours by walk.