Dattatreya Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Hindu Deity Lord Dattatreya who is also known as Lord Datta. Lord Dattatreya is a unified form of the sacred trinity Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. Lord Dattatreya directs individuals for leading an honourable and appropriate life. Dattatreya Jayanti is widely celebrated in parts of Maharashtra with great devotion and faith.

When is Dattatreya Jayanti actually celebrated?

Dattatreya Jayanti 2020 falls on the 29th of December according to the Gregorian Calendar. As per the Hindu Calendar, Hindus celebrate Dattatreya Jayanti every year on a full moon day of Marghshish month to lead a prosperous life.

Dattatreya Jayanti Significance

Once Anusuya who was a wife of sage Atri performed strict austerity to create a son equal to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva who is considered as the strongest trinity in Hindu religion. The consorts of Trinity; Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Saraswati became anxious and instructed their husbands to conform her dignity. One day all three Gods appeared in front of Anusuya in the form of monks and asked naked alms from her as their wish. Anusuya got confused for some time, but later she recaptured her calmness. She turned the monks into babies by chanting mantras and sprinkling holy water on them. Then she fed them milk with her naked breast as they wished to.

Anusuya narrated the entire story to sage Atri when he returned home. He held those three babies near to his heart and converted them into a single baby by his holy powers. The consorts of Trimurti were worried as their husband did not return home. They visited Anusuya’s home and requested to return their husbands. Anusuya accepted their request and Trimurtis returned to their original forms. By seeing the devotion and intelligence of Anusuya, Trimurtis blessed her with a son called Dattatreya.

What to do on Dattatreya Jayanti

A devotee should wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath to perform the rituals of Dattatreya Jayanti. Observe the fast on the occasion of Dattatreya Jayanti to gain beneficial results in the future. Apply turmeric powder, vermillion, sandalwood paste on the idols of Lord Dattatreya, and worship him by offering flowers, Dhup, lamps, and Bhog. A devotee should chant holy Dattatreya Beej Mantra and sing devotional songs to please Lord Dattatreya. Recite the Jivanmukta Gita and Avadhuta Gita on this auspicious day to seek divine blessings from Lord Dattatreya.

Benefits of Dattatreya Jayanti

Dattatreya Upanishad says that an individual who observes the holy Dattatreya Jayanti with true devotion will be blessed with the following benefits:

• Absolute wisdom to achieve success in life.
• All types of negativity, worries, and fears will be removed from the devotee’s life.
• You will be relieved from the negative planetary effects and ancestral problems.
• A devotee will be able to live an honourable life.