Who is Lord Dattatreya?
Lord Dattatreya, the son of sage Atri and Anasuya, is worshipped as a combined form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and as the Adi Guru. Tradition speaks of his twenty-four gurus drawn from nature, and he is especially revered in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh within the Datta Sampradaya.
How Datta Jayanti is observed
- Worship of Lord Dattatreya's image or padukas with flowers, incense and a lamp
- Parayan of Guru Charitra and chanting of 'Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabha Digambara'
- Fasting, charity and feeding Brahmins or the needy as a mark of devotion
- Visits to Datta temples such as Ganagapur and Narsobachi Wadi
Purnima date note
Margashirsha Purnima can span two calendar days in some panchangs, so check your local timing for the exact observance.
Dattatreya Jayanti Puja 2026 puja vidhi (step by step)
- Bathe, take the sankalp and set up an image or padukas of Lord Dattatreya.
- Offer flowers, incense, fruit and a lamp, and perform abhishek if you have a murti.
- Recite Guru Charitra, Datta Stotra or the Datta mantras.
- Perform aarti, offer naivedya and distribute prasad.
- Practise charity and, if observing a vrat, break it after the evening puja.
Book a Pandit Ji for Dattatreya Jayanti Puja
Book a verified Pandit Ji on Live Sharma Ji and the puja is performed with authentic Vedic mantras, in person at your home or live-streamed for family abroad. Booking is confirmed on WhatsApp, and the pandit explains the vidhi and the samagri (items) you need beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dattatreya Jayanti in 2026?
Dattatreya Jayanti 2026 is observed on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima, per commonly published panchangs. Verify the exact timing for your city.
Who is Lord Dattatreya?
He is the son of Atri and Anasuya and is worshipped as a unified form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and as the Adi Guru.
How do I find the right muhurat for Dattatreya Jayanti?
The exact muhurat depends on your city's sunrise, sunset and tithi timings. Check a local panchang, or book a Pandit Ji on Live Sharma Ji, who will confirm the correct muhurat for your location before the puja.
Can Dattatreya puja be performed online or live-streamed?
Yes. On Live Sharma Ji you can book a verified Pandit Ji for an in-person puja or a live-streamed puja, which suits families living abroad (NRIs) or away from home. The pandit performs the ritual with the sankalp in your family's name and you join over video.
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar (tithi) and can differ by a day between cities and panchangs. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city with your Pandit Ji when you book.
