Margashirsha Purnima
Also called: Dattatreya Jayanti, Battisi Purnima
Commemorates the appearance of Lord Dattatreya, the unified incarnation of the Hindu Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Born to Sage Atri and his devoted wife Anasuya, Dattatreya is revered as the Adi Guru of sannyasis, yogis, and seekers of truth.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Lunar month
- Margashirsha
- Deities
- Lord Dattatreya, Lord Satyanarayana, Chandra Dev
The story
The Bhagavata Purana tells that the sage Atri performed long austerities, praying for a son like the Lord, and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva appeared to him together. Their portions were born to Atri and his wife Anasuya as three sons, Soma, Dattatreya and Durvasa, Dattatreya being born of Vishnu. A popular tradition adds that the three gods once came to test Anasuya's purity and were turned into infants by her spiritual power.
Practices
- Recitation of the Guru Charitra and Dattatreya Stotram
- Observing a peaceful fast and engaging in meditation
- Pilgrimage to prominent Datta Peethas such as Gangapur, Kuravpur, and Girnar
Regional variations
- Celebrated with week-long spiritual gatherings and processions across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh
Common questions
- Who were the 24 gurus of Lord Dattatreya?
- In the Bhagavata Purana, Dattatreya explains that he learned lessons of detachment, patience, and truth from 24 natural teachers, including the earth, wind, water, fire, and animals.