The best way to experience peace and tranquillity of this holy place is to sit on the steps of the ghat in the evening by the river and chant ‘digambara, digambara, Shripad vallabh digambara’. I’m confident you will carry these memories back with you only to come back again.
Narsobachi Wadi (नरसोबाची वाडी) or Narsoba Wadi (नरसोबा वाडी) or Narsimha Wadi (नृसिंह वाडी) or Wadi (as is lovingly called by locals) is situated 51 kilometres from Kolhapur. This place is famous as the abode of Shree Dattatreya. This holy place is at the confluence of Krishna and Panchganga rivers.
History:
This village is a major pilgrimage hub for many who love to see the confluence of the two rivers Panchganga and Krishna. With a lot of archaeological value this became a major pilgrim spot when Shri Dattatreya in his Narsinh Saraswati incarnation is believed to have lived here for as long as 12 years. There are no images or idols here which show his presence. But there are two padukas or slippers which immortalize this great saint.
It is said that this whole area was actually a thick forest earlier. Those days Narsinh Saraswati Swami was here in penance. The temple in fact dates back to around 500 to 700 years. There is lot of offering in the temple everyday from dawn. There is a great mahapuja with leaves and the golden crown here is worth a look. The palanquin here is taken out with a lot of hymns that are sung. There is a story that goes behind the temple here.
It is said that Sripad Swami had told a lady who belonged to the Brahmin community that she had to devote her entire life to Lord Shiva. She did this and she was born in a place which was near Akola. The family where she was born was of pious nature and they called here Amba. She married Madhava Sharma who was another pious man. She became a very dedicated devotee of Lord Shiva. She had a son who did not cry at birth. Instead the baby said Aum. Everyone was amazed that the baby said the eternal sound. So everyone believed that this was the incarnation of the Lord himself. They called the child Narahari meaning the person who dispelled miseries. This Narahari could not speak and one day he signaled with signs that he wanted to have the sacred thread ceremony. He learnt the Gayatri mantra, and became a Brahmacharaya. Narahari under the advice of his mother went to beg alms and then took sanyas and renounced all the worldly pleasures.
In this way he showed that life is very short and we have to have the attitude of self realization. And with such thoughts Narahari became enlightened and blessed his mother with the sight of his actual divinity.
His mother when she saw this form was reminded of her previous birth and recognized him as Sripad who had saved her from committing suicide. She was happy that she had become his mother in this birth and asked him to stay till they got more kids. Soon everyone started coming to worship him and they all leant the art of self realization. After his mother had more kids, he put on his sandals and went to renounce the world. He went to Badrinath via Kashi and then after accepting His Holiness Swami Krishna Saraswati as his guru he took the vow of Sanyas. Thus he came to be known as Narsinh Saraswati.
Narsobachi Wadi is one such place where he stayed and it is today a place of a pilgrimage. People normally come here when they are very troubled and upset and they get a great sense of spiritual and religious rebirth. There are many more places like Gangapur, Audumbar, Girnar (in Gujarat), Kurwar (in Karnataka) which are believed to be great pilgrim spots where this holy man has lived.
The absolutely sublime ambience and the peaceful surroundings of Narsobachi Wadi make this place a great pilgrim spot. The messages that are given here are that we should attempt to come closer to God through devotion and that the mind should be used to purify our thoughts. We should never hurt anyone in this world by action or deed and always we should consider ourselves blessed if we have the blessings of a guru. It is important that we understand the true value of life and realize that there is God residing in our own heart.
My personal experience:
My wife, once depressed with my misappropriate behavior (due to very heavy financial losses), went to Narsobachi Wadi along with my kids to find answers to her questions. She took a bus from Swarget S. T. Stand at Pune and landed in Wadi (as it is very commonly called by the localities) in the late evening. It was raining cats-n-dogs when she reached but as she moved into the S. T. Stand at Wadi the rain stopped. She then tried to find accommodation for her and came to know all the hotels/bhaktnivas were full. The Bhaktnivas run by the temple made one small room available to her. With not much money with her, she was economizing on everything. Next day early in the morning she took ‘darshan’ of the deity along with my kids and was desperately thinking how feed my kids as they were very hungry. My wife and my son demanded a simple meal at the feet of Narsinh Saraswati Swami and to their surprise this wish was heard by the wife of the pujari at the temple. She invited my wife, my daughter and my son to her house and after preliminary introduction offered a full blown meal. A meal which contained rice, dal, bread (chapattis), 3 types of vegetables, salad, chutneys, curd, sweet dish and the most important thing ‘love’.
Shri Govind Kulkarni Guruji, Shri Uday Kulkarni Guruji & Shri Mahesh Pujari Guruji were the people who brought this change in our lives, perticularly Shri Mahesh Pujari Guruji.
Yes this can happen only in Wadi. If your demands are ‘satvik’ they will be immediately fulfilled. From that day this place has become my second home. Today things have changed and our lives have changed for good. Our financial position has changed drastically and all this has happened because of the blessings of Narsinh Saraswati Swami (we lovingly call him ‘dutta maharaj’).
Yes this is a truly blessed place. No doubt about it and I’m sure many of my fellow travelers must have realized this from time to time. They will keep coming here every now and then. They know ‘dutta maharaj’ will solve their problems. That’s the belief and has been realized by them from time to time.
I strongly urge my friends to make a visit to this place at least once in their life time. I’m sure your goal to find peace with yourself will end here. I refer this place as an Epitome of Spiritual Destiny.
How to Get Here:
This place is accessible by MSRTC buses from Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Jaysingpur, Nipanni and Hubli. I request you to check the departure timings from Mumbai, Pune Kolhapur Nipanni and Hubli but you will find regular MSRTC buses from Miraj, Sangli and Jaysingpur.
This place is also accessible by railway from Kolhapur, Pune and Mumbai. The nearest railway station is Jaysingpur and is just 12 kms away. Only passenger trains stop here and so the next best place to alight are from Miraj or Sangli. There are 10-12 trains stopping here throughout the day and you will find one suitable to your need. I recommend you to use this railway option only if you are low on cash as these trains will take most part of your day travelling. MSRTC buses are the best option as they save a lot of time. [Time taken by a direct MSRTC bus from Swarget to Wadi – 5hrs while railway will take at least 6-8 hrs.]
There are private bus operators plying regular bus services from Nigdi Pradhikaran to Jaysingpur. You have a choice of A/c & Non A/c sleeper & seater buses. From Jaysingpur you will have to take MSRTC bus to Wadi (1st bus is at 6.25 in the morning)
Distances in a nut shell:
Pune – Narsoba Wadi (254 Kms), Sangli – Narsoba Wadi (22 Kms), Miraj – Narsoba Wadi (19 Kms), Jaysingpur – Narsoba Wadi (16.7 Kms), Kolhapur – Narsoba Wadi (52 Kms), Audumbar – Narsoba Wadi (53 Kms), Nipanni – Narsoba Wadi (45 Kms), Mumbai – Narsoba Wadi (405 Kms via Mumbai Bangalore Express Highway).
Where to Stay and Eat:
This is at the entrance of the temple
There are numerous hotels and lodges to stay at Narsoba Wadi each with their own room fare, amenities, etc. You will find rooms from Rs. 150.00 per day to ones costing Rs. 2,500.00 per day. As you normally come to Narsoba Wadi on a pilgrim mood, I advise you to opt for the accommodation offered by Temples Bhakta Niwas. This is right next to the temple and you could walk right into the temple bare foot.
Temples Bhakta Niwas also houses ‘Mahaprasad’ hall where Mahaprasad is offered to all the devotees in the afternoon from 12:00 to 14:00 (free of cost) and from 20:00 to 22:00 (free of cost).
You will find a lot of eateries here offering a variety of menu items from idly/dosa to Wada-paws, from full fledged vegetarian meals to Chinese dishes. Yes, only vegetarian foods are available here so if you are interested in some non-vegetarian delicacies Wadi is definitely not the place and don’t ask for one either.
Temple’s Daily Schedule:
05.00 काकडा आरती & Paduka Puja 08.00 to 12.00 Rudrabhishek 12.30 to 13.30 Maha Puja, Aarti 15.00 to 16.00 Pavamana Sookta Parayan 19.30 Dhoop Aarti 20.00 Palkhi 22.00 Shej Aarti (after the Shej Aarti the temple is closed for devotees)
०५.०० काकडा आरती व पादुका पूजा
०८.०० ते १२.०० रुद्राभिषेक
१२.३० ते १३.०० माहापूज व आरती
१३.०० ते १५.००
१९.३० धूप आरती
२०.०० पालखी
२२.०० शेज आरती
(शेज आरती नंतर मंदिर भाविकां साठी बंद होते)
Major Temple Festivals:
Datta Jayanti, Narsimha Jayanti, Gokul Ashtami, Shripad Shrivallabh Jayanti
Contact Numbers Narsoba Wadi Temple:
02322-270006 / 270064
Places of Interest at Narsoba Wadi:
The temple and the ghat at the temple offer the best place for washing off your sins. You may also visit the ‘Samgam’ just ahead of the temple. This is the place where the holy rivers Panchganga and Krishna meet.
Boat ride on the river is also a good experience here as it gives you a view of the temple from the front. Boat ride can cost anything from Rs. 30.00 to Rs. 50.00 per person.
The best way to experience peace and tranquillity of this holy place is to sit on the steps of the ghat in the evening by the river. I’m confident you will carry these memories back with you only to come back again.
Rituals performed at Narsoba Wadi and I recommend:
There are numerous rituals that are regularly performed at Wadi and the prominent ones are: Narayan Nag Bali, Tripindi Shardh, Kalsarpa Yog Shanti, Navagraha Nakshatra Shanti, Dutta Yag, Maha Rudrabhishek, Maha Abhishek, Ganesh Yag, Gurucharitra Parayan, etc.
नृसींहवडीत हे विधी करता येतात: नारायण बाळी, नाग बळी, त्रिपीडी श्राद्ध, काल सर्प योग शांती, गणेश याग, श्री दत्त याग, नवग्रह नक्षत्र शांती, महारूद्राभीषेक, माहाभीषेक, गुरू चरीत्र पारायण, ई. I have performed some of these rituals here under the guidance of and Shri Govind Kulkarni (+919673638441) and I recommend them to those who wish to perform these rituals here in Wadi. These ‘guruji’s’ have a nice voice and recite the shlokas in a clear aesthetic way.
You may get in touch with Shri Govind Kulkarni (Guruji) for your accommodation at Narsobachi Wadi.
Travel Time 
Thank you very much for the information. I am following your guide lines during my first visit to narsobachi wadi on 6 nov 13.
Hi, I want to perform Narayan nagbali puja. Can you tell me which puja you performed at wadi and how was your experience. Also can you give me contact of guruji….
This is really a great collective information for those who are new and first time visitor. Even for those who have visited once or twice may not have such detailed information about this holy place. This is really a good blog,
Swati L
This is such a important information useful for new visitors those who wants to visit this holy place of Maharaj SHREE GURU DEV DATT
K. P. Wadekar
very good information about this Holy place of Datta Guru Maharaj
The information is really good, the compilation is good as well. Only small blot that could be found is the tangential reference of birthplace of Shri Nrusimha Saraswati,. His birthplace is ” Karanja” in Vidarbh (now in Washim District). This place is clearly mentioned in Gurucharitra. The Gurumandir there in karanja is as good as Narsobachi wadi. His home is still there with the room where he was born.
very informative. thank you
good work thank you.
Thanks for the information… It was really helpful:)
digambara diagambara shripad vallabh digambara
After reading about this holy place i would defintely visit this place.
Thanks for the information. it helps every one. Thanks again.
First of all thanks for such complete information. Very well composed and articulated. We are planning to visit the place hence the information would really be useful.
good effort , and good information is collected
your experiences also very inspirable
thankyou for providing all the information.
jai guru datta
Find more information about narsobachi wadi kolhapur at http://www.touristsafari.com/temples/narsobachi-wadi-kolhapur
I have done 3 days Shri Gurucharitra Parayan in Mandir premises during Shree Datta Jayanti Saptah. I did not get room in Bhaktanivas and also in Upasana dham, as I was alone. So I stayed in a lodge near Bus stand. Joshi Bhojanalay is best for your lunch and dinner. We get Mahaprasad everyday during 12 to 2.30 in afternoon in Mandir which consist of bhat, aamti and shira. On Upavaas day we get bhagar and aamti and shrira.
Thank you very much for the information.
Thank you very much for the information.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. This will really help to locate the place easily.
Request if you can help me, how to travel from Kolhapur Mahalaxmi to Narsobachi wadi?? I mean is there any frequent buses or taxi, if yes, then please share from where should we take bus / taxi and what is the fare. Thank you in advance
You can find number of State Transport Buses from Kolhapur Bus Stand. Another way is to go to Sangli or Miraj from Kolhapur and from Sangli / Miraj there are buses to Kurundwad every hour or so. Narsinh Wadi is 5 kms prior to Kurundwad. All these buses to Kurundwad stop at Narsinh Wadi (Infact 95% of the passengers are for Narsinh Wadi in that bus to Kurundwad.
जय श्री गुदेव दत्त.
is this temple also in 51 shakto peeth
I’m not sure. Will enquire about it and let you know.
no this is not 51 shaktipeeth this is temple of lord Dattatraya
Narsobachi wadi is an amazing place to visit. It gives a sense of fulfillment and inner peace. After a stressful and hectic work schedule in multi national company, my friend n me escaped to visit Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple as we had been to Tirupati Balaji 2 months before. My friends mom asked us to visit wadi. I had been earlier to wadi when i didnt know its importance as i had come with family while visiting Ganpati pule and other places as a tourist from Mumbai.
This time we took Mahalakshmi darshan a day earlier and left for wadi by booking private cab. We left early morning. The sky was clear,surrounded by green fields with fog over and morning sunshine.The journey and experience still savours my mind. We reached wadi arround 9 with very supportive and cab driver who accompanied us.As soon as we took darshan,we felt a sigh of relief. As we sat and bend to our head a dog came with brightness in his eyes and sat in front of us keeping his legs towards as if blessing us as we bending our heads. He didnt move till we left.Then while going another followed us when we were buying prasad. He continued looked into our eyes with innocence as if literally asking us to give something. We then asked shopkeeper what they eat,he told only peda. He ate with satisfaction. Still we both cant forget expression in dogs eyes as general ly dogs get violet if you see them. It was a strange experience. Once we left wadi it was only peace and joy we could feel.
As I mentioned in my blog, you have to experience the presence of Shri Gurudev Dutta. I’m glad you went back blessed and I’m sure you will come back to this epitome of peace Nrusinha Wadi again.
May God Bless You.
Thank you
SHRI GURU DEO DATTA !!!!!
Mr. Gautam Sohoni,
You have done very good work.
Only thing ,pl do not reccomend above both gurujis. Both are inbetween agents,
I had been to Narsobachi wadi on last week end. I met both the abouve gurujis. They are very good as persons but they can not any pooja in temple, since they are not recognised in temple. They get the work done through recognissed poojary . They asked the poojari to collect certain amout from the recognised poojari and collect their commission
My pooja was done by Mr. Raju Dhobale ( cell no 09421283792 ) I found him good but you must approache him directly.
Dr. B.S.Kerkar
Andheri( west)
9820213695
उदय कुलकर्णी व गोविंद कुलकर्णी हे गुरुजी आहेत. Agents नाहीत. नृसिंह वाडीत कोणीही agents नाहीत. हे जागृत स्थान आहे. हे commercial ठिकाण नाही. कृपा करून कुठच्याही गुरुजींना agents म्हणणे थांबवा.
तुम्हाला अमुक गुरुजींचे पठण पटले नसेल काबुल आहे पण म्हणून तो agent होत नाही.
मी उदाहरण म्हणून दोघांचे-तिघांचे नावे घेतले जे उपयुक्त ठरू शकतात, नृसिंह वाडीत असे भरपूर गुरुजी आहेत आपण कोनाहीकडे पूजा घालू शकतात. Its your choice.
Shri Gurudev Datta….Very nice article, I have been to Narsobawadi last Dec. with my wife and daughter. Me and my wife were going through very tough time and saw a program on Marathi channel about Narsobawadi. After seeing that program we decided to visit this place asap. We stayed there for 2 days and we were amazed by the peace and holy nature of this place. We could actually feel the presence of Lord Datta in invisible form during our stay. It was a life changing experience for us and it can’t be described in just words. You have to visit this place to know what I am talking about. I am sure you will also have some sacred story to share after visiting this place. Also do visit the Amareshwar temple which is right opposite to Datta temple and a small home where Nrusinha-saraswati took food from a very poor farmer. It is one of the Adhay in Gurucharitra.
“Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara”
दिगंबरा दिगंबरा श्रीपाद वल्लभ दिगंबर. हरी ओम श्री गुरुदेव दत्ता.
Very informative. Thanks dear Gautam. I am planning to visit in the end of June. As I heard that usually some of the portion of temple submerged in rivers during monsoon season. So please advice me is it good to visit in the end of June.
Yes, you may visit this shrine any time of the year. God bless.
nice info. thanks.
Good information for first time visitors
Thank you so much sir for your valuable information. Digambara Digambara shripad vallabh Digambara
i like narsinhwadi very much
I want to take darshan of palakhi at Nrusinhwadi. Is it daily or on Thursday evening?
Ever day past 8.00 pm.
amarapur is same as NArsobachi vadi. which nearby holy places connect with datta guru as refered in Guru charitra.
Can u give some information about bhakta niwas like condition of rooms or fare or contact number?
Please contact Shri Govind guruji on +919673638441. He will make your arrangements for accommodation.
Narsobachi wadi is on Kolhapur Pune road ?
or inside please Advise…
No. It’s within Kolhapur. You will have to a bus to Sangli or Kurundwad from Swarget. Nrusinhwadi is just before Kurundwad.
Very nice place wish to visit again 🙂
heartiest thanks for the information shree Swami samarth
Hello Gautamji,
Your article is very nice and gives ample information to the person who is planning to visit the holy places. Main questions arises as to stay and travel. You have well answered both. Thanks for such nice info.
Regards
Suraj
Hi Sir,
Great Information! Helps a lot to understand this place.
I’m planning to visit there in Gurupournima of this year, my main concern is accommodation. I found some good info. here about Upasana Dham but didn’t found any contact info. for the room booking. I would be very thankful to you if you could provide me their contact number for the accommodation booking.
Thanks & Regards,
Mayur
Shri Govind Kulkarni Guruji can find a proper accommodation for you once here in Wadi.
His contact information is given above in the post.
Hello Gautam Kaka,
Shri Gurudev Datta, Nice information…We are planning nearly 25 people to visit to Kolhapur and Nrusinhwadi. How can we get booking at Bhakt Niwas at Nrusinhwadi? Could you share contact nos. if possible.
This is a place you have to make your mind happy .what is life you can understand.forget all thigs and head down thats all.dont ask any thing.
rajan pujari
Thanks for the information. We follow the information you given.Shri GuruDavDatta
आम्ही सर्व कुटुंब बरेचदा नरसोबाच्या वाडीला आलो तेथील पवित्र भक्तिमय वातावरण राहून राहून तेथे बोलावते.यावेळी आमच्या शाळेची सहलच तेथे नेण्यासाठी आम्ही उत्सुक आहोत. पल्ला लांब चा आहे पण श्री दत्त क्रुपेने आमची इच्छा पूर्ण होईल असे वाटते. या माहिती पटावरुन असे वाटते की तेथील बरीच ठिकाणे आम्ही पाहिली नाहीत. यथासांग माहिती देण्याबद्दल मनापासून धन्यवाद.
Really Nice information!.Thanks!
pl. add some information about kurundwad also…. esp. dhopeshwar mandir.. it is worth visiting
Please go through my post on Kopeshwar in this site.
You may find some useful information about the same.
Very good Information Thank you
श्री गुरुदेव च्या कृपे ने हे शक्य होते.
Shree Gurudev Datta
Very good information
Dear Shri Sohoniji .
Sir
Good evening. It is understood that thread ceremony can be performed at N. Wadi. To whom we should contact. Any name u will like to suggest with contact details. Thanks & Regards
V.V.Kurdukar
Dombivli( E)
9869035498
You may contact Shri Govind Kulkarni Guruji for thread ceremony. His number is given above.
।। श्री गुरुदेव दत्त ।।