Datta Jayanti 2024: Dattatreya Jayanti or Datta Jayanti marks the birth anniversary or appearance day of Lord Dattatreya, known to be the manifestation of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This year, Datta Jayanti is being observed by devotees on 14th December 2024.
Dattatreya Jayanti is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Dattatreya. As the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, he embodies the Hindu holy trinity. This special day falls on the Full Moon day of the Margashirsha month, bringing devotees together to worship and seek blessings from Lord Dattatreya. The appearance day of Lord Dattatreya offers a unique chance for spiritual growth, self-reflection and connecting with the divine.
Lord Dattatreya embodies the unity of the three fundamental aspects of the universe, symbolising the fusion of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Lord Shiva). As the creator, nurturer, and destroyer, Lord Dattatreya represents the complete cycle of life. Sometimes, he is also revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees worship Lord Dattatreya as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and renunciation. Seeking his blessings on Datta Jayanti is believed to bring peace, remove obstacles, and grant success in all endeavours. By honouring Lord Dattatreya, devotees aim to cultivate wisdom, gain spiritual insight, and attain a deeper understanding of the universe.
On Datta Jayanti, devotees begin their day with early morning prayers and rituals. They perform puja at home or visit temples dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, which are beautifully decorated with flowers. Devotees chant devotional songs and offer special pujas and abhishekams to the Lord.
To prepare for the rituals, devotees purify themselves by taking a bath with Ganga jal. They then gather all necessary items, such as diyas, incense sticks, flowers, and fruits. Some devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, performing puja and jaap 1000 times. The idol of Guru Datta is adorned with turmeric and sandalwood paste, and sometimes sindoor is applied.
Lord Dattatreya is considered to be the divine incarnation of a deity and Guru because his followers also recognize him as Shri Gurudevdut. Guru Dattatreya was supposed to be a divinity for both Nathpanth and Sufi sects, and they revered him with utmost reverence.
In the Vaishnava-Shaiva sect, he was also called Guruswami, Gururaj, and Gurudevji. He was also worshipped as the guru of the gurus. Shri Dattatreya started the basis of the idea of societal equality and fraternity. As per the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, Dattatreya achieved wisdom and insight from 24 gurus, and the Datta sect emerged in the name of Lord Dutt.
Dattatreya Jayanti 2024 is a joyous festival that brings devotees together to celebrate the divinity of the Lord. By pleasing the god, devotees seek his wisdom and guidance and strive for a life filled with peace, focus, knowledge, and spiritual growth.