In 2026, Datta Jayanti falls on Wednesday, 23 December.

According to legend, Anasuya, the wife of Sage Atri, did penance to have a son equal to the three supreme gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati asked the Trimurti to test Anasuya’s virtue.

The three gods went to her in the disguise of sanyasis and asked her to give them alms while naked. Anasuya sprinkled water on them and turned them into babies, then breastfed them.

She told her husband what had happened. Atri took the babies in his arms and combined them into one body with three heads and six arms.

When the gods did not return, the goddesses rushed to Anasuya and asked her to give their husbands back. The Trimurti then returned to their original form and blessed Atri and Anasuya with a son, Dattatreya.

1. Devotees observe a fast.
2. They decorate the Datta idol with flowers.
3. They light diyas and incense sticks.
4. They recite prayers such as the Avadhoot Gita and other mantras dedicated to Lord Datta.
5. They read holy books dedicated to the lord.
6. In Datta temples, pooja and aarti are performed early in the morning, followed by distribution of prasad.
7. In some places, the palkhi (Pallaki/palanquin) of Lord Datta is taken around.

• One of India’s important festivals: Datta Jayanti holds a prominent place among Hindu festivals, observed with particular devotion in Maharashtra.
• Ganagapur, Karnataka: One of the most popular Dattatreya temples, located near Gulbarga.
• Narasimha Wadi, Kolhapur district: A major center of Dattatreya worship in Maharashtra.
• Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh: A well-known Dattatreya temple located in pithapuram, near Kakinada.
• Audumbar, Sangli district: Another significant temple associated with Lord Dattatreya.
• Girnar, Saurashtra: A popular pilgrimage site for Dattatreya devotees.
• Manik Nagar, Maharashtra: Home to the Manik Prabhu temple, which holds a 7-day festival for Datta Jayanti