Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 41 km from Solapur, Akkalkot Temple, or Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated in Akkalkot. It is one of the important places for pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit as part of the Solapur tour.

Swami Samarth Temple is the final abode of Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj, a 19th-century saint who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya by his devotees. He is also believed to be a reincarnation of Narasimha Saraswati, another earlier spiritual master of the Dattatreya sect. Swami Samarth is also known by different names, such as 'Akkalkot Swami, Akalkot Maharaj, Maharaj of Akalkot, and Akalkot Niwasi Maharaj.

According to Swami Samarth himself, he had originally appeared in the Kardali forests near Srisailam, a holy town in Andhra Pradesh. Later, he migrated to different places. Sri Swami Samarth probably arrived at Akkalkot in 1856 on receiving an invitation from Chintopant Tol and then stayed there for about 22 years. Sri Swami Samartha Maharaj left his mortal body in 1878, but his legacy continues to inspire and guide people around the world. The holy Samadhi of Swamiji is located in the house of his disciple Cholappa, in the place already reserved for it before his bodily demise.

This temple is also called Vatavruksha Swami Mandir because of the presence of the huge banyan tree (Vatavruksha). This is the same banyan tree under which Swami Samarth used to meditate and preach. The temple consists of the main temple, sabha mandap, and accommodation. The Death Anniversary is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi every year and is attended by many devotees from Maharashtra and other parts of India.

Timings: 5 AM - 10 PM

Entry: Free