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Akkalkote Maharaja Jayanti

Swami Samarth, also known as Swami of Akkalkot was an Indian spiritual master of the Dattatreya Tradition. He is a widely known spiritual figure in various Indian states including Maharashtra. He lived during the nineteenth century.

Swami Samarth traveled all across the Indian subcontinent and eventually set his abode at Akkalkot, a village in present-day Maharashtra. He is thought to have initially arrived at Akkalkot on a Wednesday, during either September or October in 1856. He resided at Akkalkot for close to 22 years.  His parentage and origins remain obscure.

Life

A painting depicting a meeting between Swami Samarth and Manik Prabhu's under the holy cluster fig (Audumbar in Marathi) tree at Maniknagar.

According to Swami Samarth himself, he had originally appeared in the Kardali forests near Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. He might have moved through China, Tibet and Nepal during his travels across the Himalayas and its adjacent regions. He is also believed to have visited various Indian regions such as Puri, Varanasi (also Kashi), Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawar and Rameswaram. He might have also briefly lived at Mangalvedha, a town near Pandharpur in present-day Solapur district, Maharashtra. He finally settled at Akkalkot.

Swami Samarth is also believed to have visited Maniknagar to meet Manik Prabhu, an Indian saint and mystic considered to be another incarnation of Dattatreya.

Swami Samarth probably arrived at Akkalkot in 1856 on receiving an invitation from Chintopant Tol and then stayed on the outskirts of the town for about 22 years. He usually lived at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his shrine is presently located.

A common mantra commemorating Swami Samarth is read as “Aum Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha”. His biography known as Shree Guruleelamrut was authored by Sant Wamanbhau Maharaj.