Sri Swamiji inaugurated Datta Temple in Peethapuram at 12.15 PM on 22nd February 2002. More than 25,000 people witnessed the historic occasion as Sri Swamiji poured sacred water over the temple tower. Speaking from the platform on the tall tower, Sri Swamiji chanted victory to righteousness and said that the dream of the villagers of Peethapuram had come true with the Datta Temple coming in the town where the Dattatreya incarnate Sri Pada Vallabha lived and preached centuries ago. Along with the Datta idol, Anagha Devi also was installed in the same temple. There is also a Ganapati Shrine, Puruhutika Devi (the presiding deity of Peethapuram village) and a Navagraha shrine were inaugurated. Sri Swamiji named the Ashrama as "SRI DATTA ANAGHA KSHETRA"
The beautiful temple has a front hall which is little larger than the Datta Venkata hall in Mysore. The interiors of the temple has been tastefully decorated. The Datta Anagha Shrine is in the centre and Ganapati Shrine on the left and Puruhutika shrine on the right. Navagraha shrine is in outside the temple. In front of the main entrance if the temple is a tall stone pillar called Datta Stupa.
A huge hall had been erected outside the temple for Pujas and Bhajans which could house more than ten thousand people.
The front of the Datta Anagha Kshetra (as named by Sri Swamiji) in Peethapuram Ashrama
The Gopuram atop awaiting the Kumbhabhishekam by Sri Swamiji
Sri
Swamiji carrying the Kalasham from Yaga Shala (the area where Homas of the consecration
deities were performed) for
Kumbhabhishekam on the Gopuram (tower)
At
12.05 PM, Sri Swamiji performs Kumbhabhishekam
- the ritual pouring of sacred water on the copper pinnacle atop the temple
tower.
This symbolises the inauguration of the temple. You can also see the thousands
of people below watching this historic event
Arati to the Gopuram
Sri Swamiji offers prayers to Lord Datta, the presiding deity of the temple
Sri Swamiji addresses the mammoth crowds exhorting them to lead a spiritual life of values and morals
Sri Swamiji in the Datta temple with the newly installed Datta and Anagha idols
Arati to Datta and Anagha
Sri Swamiji sprinkles sacred water on newly installed Ganapati idol
Sri Swamiji pours water on the idol of Puruhutika Devi, the presiding deity of Peethapuram town
Navagrahas temple being inaugurated