Mekedatu - The place of Jaya Lakshmi Mata. The land where her sacred feet walked. The sacred place where she met Kara Paatra Yati and Fakeer Baba. The spiritual land chosen for the birth of our Sadguru Deva. Named as Datta Kashi by His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, it was the dwelling place of Jaya Lakshmi Mata for more than two decades.

Mekedatu is in Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagara District and is about 90 kilometres from Bangalore. In this divine place, Kaveri, Arkavati and Gupta Gamini rivers join as one mighty river as a Sangama Kshetra. It is customary in many such holy places to consecrate a Shiva Temple, for the benefit of people bathing at the confluence. While, several Sages had consecrated such Shiva Temples in many places, Sage Agastya is said to have consecrated Sangameshwara at this sacred place. (Hence, this area is called as Agastya Kshetra).

The Sangameshwara temple here on the banks of river Kaveri is very popular among Datta Devotees, for its serenity, sanctity and widely known as a spiritual retreat. Lord Shiva in this temple in the form of Sangameshwara, was worshipped by our Parama Guru Mata Jaya Lakshmi during Her stay in Mekedatu.

As part of the Dharmik Activities to protect the heritage and culture, Avadhoota Datta Peetham, had undertaken the renovation of the Ancient temple (under the management of Endowments Department of Karnataka State Government) in the year 2007. In the first phase of the the project, the temple tower was renovated, granite stone slabs were clad on the walls. The area was secured with barbed wire fencing and constructing a compound wall in the front.

Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamy (Sri Bala Swamy) was deputed by Pujya Swamiji to lead the Consecration Ceremonies, conducted by the Team of Scholars including VLSK Chandra Sekhara Sarma, C Vishwaksena and others pundits of Datta Peetham. The rituals commenced on 10th June 2009 and concluded on 12th June 2009 with Maha Kumbhabhishekam. The Yantra Pratishtha and Shiva Linga Pratishtha were performed during Mithuna Lagna Punya Kaalam, on Jyeshtha Bahula Panchami, Dhanishtha Nakshatram. Speaking of the consecration, Sri Bala Swamy aptly pointed out that, this Sangama is not just the confluence of Rivers, but the communion between humanity and divinity.

In Ashrama, Sri Bala Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja, followed by Purnahuti of the Pratishtha Homas. Later, a enthusiastic procession consisting of Datta Devotees from various places, local villagers and Ritwiks carrying Kalashas chanting Shiva Panchakshari Mantra started from Ashrama to cover the 600 metre route to the Sangameshwara Temple. Sri Bala Swamy led the procession and offered Purnahuti for Rudra Homa in the temple complex and climbed up the temple towers.

As devotees ecstatically chanted Om Namah Shivaya, Sri Swamiji poured the sacred waters on the Kalashas fixed atop the tower of Lord Sangameshwara. In His message from the temple top, Sri Bala Swamiji beseeched Lord Sangameshwara to protect the universe as long as sun and moon exist, as long as mountains, seas and rivers are visible, as long as stars shine! May all the devotees get the blessings of Mata Jaya Lakshmi and Pujya Appaji. Slogans of Victory to Dharma and Victory to Truth reverberated the region.

Later, Brahma Kalasha Abhishekam and Ksheera Abhishekam was conducted in the sanctum sanctorum followed by Kaveri Jala Abhishekam by hundreds of devotees. In continuation of the ancient tradition of facilitating devotees to offer Abhishekam to Shiva (after River bath), all the devotees were allowed to offer Abhishekam. As this custom would continue at this temple, devotees should make use of the opportunity to offer Abhishekam to Sri Sangameshwara Temple, during their next visit to Mekedatu.

Bengaluru devotees and local members, especially Sri C Satyanarayana Raju and Sri Mohan Raj rendered exemplary service in the successful conduct of the program. Hundreds of people were fed on this occasion.

Jaya Guru Datta

Report by Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi with inputs from Bala

Sri Bala Swamiji walks from the Ashrama to Sangameshwara temple to perform Kumbhabhishekam along with devotees holding
Parama Pujya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji's photograph

Sri Bala Swamiji offers Purnahuti for Rudra Homa

Sri Bala Swamiji carries the Kalasha containing the sacred water for Kumbhabhishekam

Kumbhabhishekam for Sri Sangameshwara Swamy

Sri Bala Swamiji speaks after Kumbhabhishekam from the temple top

Abhishekam for Sri Sangameshwara Shiva Linga

Milk Abhishekam for Sri Sangameshwara Shiva Linga

Earlier, Sri Bala Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at the Ashrama Temple. Lord Dattatreya is adorned with Devi Alankara.
Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Shiva Linga is also seen.

*********