For countless seekers, Sripada Sri Vallabha is not a historical figure alone, but an ever-living spiritual presence.
Birth and Divine Origins
Sripada Sri Vallabha was born on 25 May 1320 AD in Pithapuram, a sacred town in present-day Andhra Pradesh, India. His parents, Gandikota Appalaraja Sharma and Sumati, were a deeply pious couple who were blessed with this miraculous child after intense devotion.
From infancy itself, Sripada displayed extraordinary divine qualities. By the age of one, he was already performing supernatural acts. As a child and young youth, he was known for his playfulness, sharp wit, boundless compassion, and miraculous powers. Through these divine acts, he transformed the lives of many in and around Pithapuram and gently corrected rigid and outdated ritualistic practices.
Renunciation at the Age of Sixteen
At the age of sixteen, when his parents urged him to marry, Sripada calmly replied:
“I have greater purposes to fulfill. I seek your permission to leave the house.”
His mother Sumati, heartbroken, explained that Sripada was their only able-bodied son. His elder brothers were blind and lame.
Moved by her pain, Sripada touched both his brothers. Instantly, one regained eyesight and the other was cured of lameness. He then said:
“Now your two sons are eligible for marriage. Please permit me to leave.”
With this assurance, Sripada renounced worldly life and embraced the path of an ascetic.
Pilgrimages and Divine Mission
After renunciation, Sripada travelled extensively across India, sanctifying every place he visited. His journeys spanned Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and even Northeast India.
Some of the most sacred places associated with his travels include:
Varanasi (Kashi)
Gokarna
Srisailam
Eventually, he settled at Kuruvapuram (present-day Kurugaddi or Kuruvapur), an island in the Krishna River, located on the border of Telangana and Karnataka. He lived there until the age of thirty, blessing devotees, healing the afflicted, imparting spiritual wisdom, and revealing profound metaphysical truths.
Divine Disappearance
In his 30th year (1350 AD), Sripada Sri Vallabha declared at Kuruvapuram:
“My form will be concealed, but Sripada Sri Vallabha will remain an eternal reality.”
Soon after, he disappeared into the waters of the Krishna River. He assured devotees that he would continue to live incognito in Kuruvapuram, eternally protecting sincere seekers and guiding them on the spiritual path.
He also proclaimed that whenever dharma declines, Lord Dattatreya would incarnate again. In accordance with this divine assurance, Datta manifested in the following successive incarnations:
Sri Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Manik Prabhu
Swami Samarth of Akkalkot
Shirdi Sai Baba
Power of Worship
Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Datta with purity of mind, speech, and action invokes Sripada’s grace immediately. Scriptures state that Siddhas in subtle realms move invisibly wherever Sripada’s siddha mangala stotra is recited, magnifying its spiritual power.
For many, simply remembering Sripada Sri Vallabha during times of distress brings clarity, protection, and inner peace.
Temple Timings and Sacred Locations
Pithapuram
Temple Timings
5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Distance
Bangalore: 875 km
Bidar: 639 km
Hyderabad: 486 km
Kuruvapuram
Temple Timings
4:30 AM – 12:00 PM
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location
Kuruvapuram is situated on an island in the Krishna River, near Raichur, Karnataka.
Distance
Bangalore: 471 km
Raichur: 63 km
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