Shree Gurudev Datta Mandir, Vakola, Santacruz (E), Mumbai

In the year 1924, a Sadhu from North India visited Vakola at the place where Shree Datta Mandir and an Audumber Tree stand today. On seeing the Audumber sapling. He declared that the place was very auspicious and a Gupt Sthana of Lord Dattatreya and that a Datta shrine be erected at that place.

There were then three families staying at this location. Two families were in the compound itself, that of Nadkarni Laxmanrao and family. These families jointly took the initiative and along with other locals, undertook the task of building the Datta Shrine. As per the wishes and instructions of the Sadhu, they installed Shree Datta Paduka near the Audumber Sapling on the Auspicious day of Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Sh Padwa in the year 1924. They then built the temple & subsequently, idols of three deities that of Lord Dattatreya, Shree Siddhi Vinayak and Shree Maruti were installed on 3 July 1924, Aashad Sh Pratipada. These Idols were sculpted in Jaipur and were brought ceremoniously in a procession from the Santa Cruz Station to the site. The Murti of Lord Dattatraya is in a sitting posture which is very uncommon and rare.

During the War, Shri Laxmanrao Nadkarni sold the entire property along with the Temple to Shri Balvally Dattaram and left for good for North Kanara to his native place. The responsibilities of daily Viniyogas of the Temple therefore fell on him. Shri H. Laxman Rao, who then stayed in Santacruz West offered his services and was given a small house in the compound. As he grew old, his eldest son Shri Bhavanishankar Hattangadi took over. He was an ex freedom fighter and also a social worker and was then employed with the Civil Supplies Department. He therefore managed by performing early morning pooja and the evening pooja after returning from work. As is the practice in all Datta Shrines, especially at Narsobawadi, night Aarti was followed by the chanting of Karuna Tripad and some Datta Bhajans. As there was no space in the Temple, Bhajans were conducted at his residence itself.

After Shri Balvally Dattaram expired, his son Shri Shankar Rao took over charge of the Temple and property. In May 1954, Shri Naganand Gulwadi and family moved in as tenants of Shri Bhavanishankar Hattangadi. After which these two families jointly conducted Bhajans at the residence. Shri Naganand Gulwadi therefore suggested to Shri Shankar Rao to extend the space of the Temple up to the Audumber Tree. The hall was constructed prior to Datta Jayanti in 1954 and then onwards Bhajans were performed daily in this hall. Special poojas on Thursdays, and Kirtans were also arranged in this hall.

Shri Shankar Rao expired in 1957 after which his wife Smt. Indirabai Bai became the owner of the temple. As it was a private temple, the funds at the disposal of the temple were very meagre and it was also very difficult to raise funds, to overcome this problem, Shri Naganand Gulwadi mooted the idea of forming a trust. Shree Gurudev Datta Mandir Trust was hence formed in 1979. Shri Naganand Gulwadi was the Founder Member of the Trust and Smt. Indirabai Balvally was chosen as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Shree Datta Jayanti, Gokul Ashtami, Guru Pournima, Ashadi Ekadashi, Ram Navami, etc. are celebrated regularly at the temple. The Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1974-75 on a grand scale, so was the Diamond Jubilee in 1984. Since 1995, functions are also held on Pratishta Day of the Padukas on Chaitra Sh 1 and that of Lord Dattatreya on Ashad Sh 1. In 1996, Punar Pratishtha of Lord Siddhi Vinayak on Magh Sh 4 (Shri Ganesh Jayanti) and in 1997 of Lord Maruti on Chaitra Sh 15 (Shri Hanuman Jayanti) were undertaken. This Punar Pratishtha ensured that all the three Deities were placed in one pedestal alignment.

From 1996, we ventured to undertake Bhiksha Prasad on the day following, Shree Datta Jayanti, Shidha i.e. Rice, dal, etc. are collected from the public. Prasad Bhojan in the form of Khichdi and Kadhi are distributed to all devotees. By the Grace of Lord Dattatreya, and a helping hand from the public this programme has become a huge success every year.

The year 1999 was celebrated as Platinum Jubilee year, starting from Gudi Padva day i.e. 18 March 1999 till Ashadh Sh Pratipada of the year 2000, the Sthapana Day of Lord Dattatreya spreading through a year and a quarter. We hope Lord Dattatreya will Grace us and give us Prerana to celebrate the Centanery year on a grand scale. We also sincerely seek the Blessings from H. H. Shrimad Sadyojat Shankarashram swamiji.