vasudevananda saraswati tembe swami
Tembe Swami Punyatithi (Death Anniversary of Vasudevananda Saraswati) is observed in Ashadh Maas in Marathi Calendar. In 2025, Tembe Swami Punyatithi date is June 26.
Vasudevananda Saraswati (1854–1914), is a great saint and lived a simple and pious life throughout his life. He is also considered as an avatar of Lord Dattareya, and also known as Tembe Swami.
Significance of Tembe Swami Punyatithi
Tembe Swami Maharaj was originally scheduled to depart on the dark 8th of Jyeshtha month; however he did not prefer to go that day. Hence, noting the exact timing of the Tithi, Maharaj made someone sit him up and went into Samadhi for three hours.
On waking up from Samadhi he said, “Today’s scheduled departure has been avoided.” By the dark moon (Amavasya) of Jyeshtha, he was very weak in acute pain. He called Appa Shastri Jere from Narsoba Wadi and whispered in his ears, “I have been a subject of black magic in my householder days; however I have no desire to retaliate.” Even on that last day, he tried to perform nityakarma(daily rituals), but he could not even hold water in his hand and gave up the effort saying, “God’s will”.
“Once today’s Amavasya ends, this body has to be quit” he said. Accordingly, as soon as the Amavasya gave way to bright Pratipada of Ashadh, Maharaj sat up facing the Lord to the west, performed Tratak (steady gaze), controlled breath and quit the body with a loud chant of “Om”. The day was Tuesday, Nakshatra Ardra, Ashadh Shuddha Pratipada.
His body was immersed into the Narmada River. His samadhi (tomb) has been built on the river bank at Garudeshwar, Gujarat. There is a famous Datta Mandir in the same place.
Tembe Swami | Vasudevananda Saraswati | Regarded as Dattatreya’s incarnation