Akkalkot – Vatavriksha Swami Samarth Temple

Vatavrikhsha Swami Samarth temple in Akkalkot is dedicated to Swami Samarth. Swami Samarth is also known as ‘Akkalkot Swami’. He was a great spiritual master and belongs to the Dattatreya sect. Swami Samarth is believed to be an avatar of Lord Dattatreya and has a huge following of devotees. He spent over 20 years in Akkalkot at the residence of his disciple – Cholappa. He preached his message from under a banyan tree. Now a temple has been built around that tree. That is why this is known as Vatvriksha Mandir. Akkalkot was a princely state ruled by the Bhonsale dynasty during British rule. The Bhosales had supported the temple and endowed it to facilitate worship.