Mahur Datta Temple — Birthplace of Dattatreya, Trimukhi Darshan
Mahur in Nanded district is believed to be the birthplace of Dattatreya, son of Atri and Anasuya. The temple enshrines a rare Trimukhi (three-faced) idol of Dattatreya. Located on the same hill as the Renuka Devi temple, it is steeped in ancient mythology.
Mahur Datta Temple — The Mythological Birthplace of Dattatreya
Located in Nanded district of Maharashtra, Mahur is an ancient and mythologically profound religious site. According to the Puranas, this is the very place where Dattatreya was born, earning Mahur the title of 'Datta Janmabhoomi' (birthplace of Dattatreya). The presence of both the Renuka Devi temple and the Datta temple on the same hill makes this site a remarkable confluence of two great devotional traditions, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across India throughout the year.
The Mythological Story — Birth of Dattatreya from Atri and Anasuya
According to Hindu Puranas, when the great sage Atri and his pious wife Anasuya performed intense tapas (austerities), the Trimurtis — Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh — were so pleased that they decided to be born as their sons. Before this, the divine trinity visited Anasuya in the guise of wandering monks and made an unusual demand to test her chastity and devotion. The spiritually powerful Anasuya, through the strength of her absolute fidelity, transformed them into infant forms. Ultimately, the three gods were pleased by her power and virtue and blessed her by being reborn as her son. The combined essence of the three divine forms united to manifest as Dattatreya. It is at Mahur that this divine birth is believed to have taken place, making it one of the most significant mythological sites in the Datta tradition.
The Trimukhi Dattatreya Idol
The idol of Dattatreya at the Mahur temple is extraordinarily rare and significant. This is a Trimukhi (three-faced) form — a single divine body with three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. This form powerfully symbolizes the trinity aspect of Dattatreya's nature. Accompanying the main idol are four dogs (representing the four Vedas) and a cow (representing Kamadhenu, the divine wish-fulfilling cow), which are the traditional iconographic symbols of Datta worship. Receiving darshan of this unique Trimukhi form is considered immensely meritorious and is said to bestow blessings of the entire trinity simultaneously.
Connection with Renuka Devi Temple
Mahur is also one of the important Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra, housing the temple of Renuka Devi, which is part of the Sade Teen Shakti Peethas (three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas) of Maharashtra. Since the Renuka Devi and Datta temples are situated on the same hill, devotees can have darshan of both deities in a single pilgrimage. This unique convergence of Shakti (divine feminine power) and Datta traditions on one sacred hill represents a rare spiritual treasure. Major festivals at both temples draw enormous crowds, creating a vibrant and spiritually charged atmosphere.
The Temple Atmosphere
Situated atop a hill, the Mahur Datta temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The mountain air, dense forest cover, and profoundly peaceful environment make this an ideal place for spiritual practice and meditation. The Kakad Aarti performed in the pre-dawn hours here is a divinely moving experience that stays with visitors long after they leave. The isolation of the hilltop location creates a sense of being removed from worldly concerns and closer to the divine.
Religious Significance and Worship
For Datta devotees, Mahur is a must-visit pilgrimage site. Coming to the birthplace of Dattatreya and receiving darshan here is considered an act of exceptional spiritual merit. Visiting Mahur after completing a Gurucharitra parayana is particularly auspicious and is believed to multiply the fruit of the scriptural study manifold. Devotees report experiencing profound peace, spontaneous tears of devotion, and a deep sense of being blessed upon visiting this sacred site. The Padukas of Dattatreya enshrined here are objects of intense reverence.
Festivals and Celebrations
Datta Jayanti on Margashirsha Pournima is celebrated as a grand festival at Mahur, with thousands of devotees making the pilgrimage. The Navratri period sees the grand Renuka Devi festival celebrated with enormous fanfare. Every Thursday features special Datta worship with extended ritual programs. Shravan and Margashirsha months see particularly heavy footfall from devotees seeking the combined blessings of both Renuka Devi and Dattatreya. Special cultural programs including kirtan and pravachan are organized throughout the year.
How to Reach
Mahur is approximately 150 kilometers from Nanded city. Bus services are available from Nanded and Hingoli. The nearest railway station is Nanded Junction, which is well connected to major cities. Private vehicles offer the most convenient mode of transport, especially since the last stretch involves a hill climb. The temple administration provides some facilities for devotees during major festivals.