Sringeri News Bulletin - November 2007
Lakshadeepotsava and Sahasra Naarikela Homa
Administrator Sri Gowrishankar receives the
Blessings of the Jagadguru after Sahasra Naarikela Homa
Lakshadeepotsava was celebrated on November 24th 2007 two days after the Jagadguru's return to Sringeri post the successful completion of the Vijaya Yatra. On November 26th Sahasra naarikela Ganapati Homa was performed in front of Goddess Sharada's temple by the Administrator Sri V R Gowrishankar. The Homa took place in the heritage structure constructed out of the ancient wooden pillars that surrounded the erstwhile temple of Sri Adi Shankaracharya at Sringeri. The Jagadguru graced the Poornahuti of the Homa.
Jagadguru returns to Sringeri
Jagadguru's welcome procession at Sringeri
The Jagadguru started from Sagar towards Sringeri on the 22nd afternoon. Along the route to Sringeri, people at various towns including Konandooru, Tirthahalli, Koppa, Hariharapura, Addagadde, Kaavadi, Anegunde offered Phala-Pushpam to the Jagadguru. Even as the Jagadguru and His entourage touched the outskirts of Sringeri, thousands of devotees raised chants of Victory as if to signify the glorious completion of the Jagadguru's Vijaya Yatra. The Jagadguru received a venerating reception with Purna Kumbha at the Welcome Gate. The Jagadguru then ascended the Panchajanya Ratha colourfully designed and bedecked with flowers. A grand welcome procession took place comprising of elephants, horses, umbrellas bearing royal insignia, as well as tableaus highlighting the hoary history of Sringeri and the life of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The atmosphere was charged with Vedic chants and Bhajans.
With the procession ending at the main entrance of the Peetham, the Jagadguru first proceeded to Goddess Sharada temple, had Darshan and then arrived at the Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam to grace the programme commemorating the completion of the Vijaya Yatra. The Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar said that the glory of the Vijaya Yatra could be gauged from the splendid welcome that the people of Sringeri had just accorded. He recounted memorable incidents from the Vijaya Yatra and conveyed to a packed audience of devotees that the Jagadguru's tour in the month of June resulted in much anticipated downpours to the joy of the people in the towns of North Karnataka. He added that the Yatra brought to light the fame of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the sacred town of Sringeri. Dignitaries representing the States of Maharashtra and Karnataka offered their reverential Pranams. Former Minister, Sri Chandre Gowda and former MLA Sri Jeevaraj expressed joy at the return of the Jagadguru to Sringeri. Sri Chandre Gowda read out a message sent by of His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka, Sri Rameshwar Thakur, paying respects to His Holiness.
Jagadguru giving Anugraha Bhashana
after returning to Sringeri
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam attributed the glory of the Vijaya Yatra and the Peetham in the present-day to the unbounded compassion and Anugraha of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal. The Jagadguru expressed immense satisfaction at the successful conduct of the Centenary Celebrations of the Bangalore Shankara Math, the observance of Chaturmasya and Celebration of Sharada Sharannavaratri at Mumbai, and the installation of Goddess Sharada at Nasik, one of the oldest branches of the Peetham. The Jagadguru praised the Shraddha and Bhakti of the people of North Karnataka, a region where Yatras had not been undertaken in the past. The Jagadguru said that it is His bounden duty to follow the line of the illustrious Guru Parampara and spread the message of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The Jagadguru blessed the people of Sringeri for their ardent devotion and also gave His blessings to the assembled dignitaries. The programme ended with devotees who had come from all over the country offering their Pranams and performing Phala-samarpanam.
Jagadguru in North Karnataka
Thus completing the Vijaya Yatra in Maharashtra that lasted longer than 4 months, the Jagadguru re-entered Karnataka and reached Athani on 15th evening. The people of the town extended a cordial and respectful reception to the Sringeri Jagadguru who had arrived after 40 years. The Jagadguru then graced Jamakhandi on 16th and reached Bagalkot on 17th evening.
On 18th the Jagadguru worshipped Goddess Banashankari at Badami and laid the foundation stone for an Anna-Chatram (place for feeding) and blessed the effort with Rs. 25,000 given as Sharada Prasada. The Jagadguru reached Naragunda the same evening. The Jagadguru had Darshan at Sri Rukmini Vitthal temple and Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari temple. He performed the Karthika Somavara Puja at noon to Lord Chandramoulishwara. In the afternoon, the Jagadguru laid the foundation stone for Shankara Math at Navalagunda and reached Tadas in the evening where He was received by Sri Vallabha Chaitanya, Sri Gayatri Tapobhumi Charitable Trust. On 20th, the Jagadguru worshipped Goddess Gayatri. He installed a Shankaracharya Murti in that Ashram and laid the foundation stone for a Yagashala. Later in the day, the Jagadguru consenting to the request of Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji of Swarnavalli Math graced the Math. Padapuja was performed on behalf of the Math. The Jagadguru blessed the devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam and arrived at Sirsi in the evening. The following day, the Jagadguru worshipped Goddess Marikamba at Sirsi and reached Sagar on 21st evening. On 22nd, the Jagadguru went to Sri Sharada temple of the Chaarodi Konkani Aachara Samaj, laid the foundation stone for the Rajagopuram there and blessed the effort with a donation of Rs. 50,000 on behalf of the Peetham. He laid the foundation stone for Sri Shankara Bhavan in the premises of the Sringeri Shankara Math at Sagar.
Jagadguru at Pandharpur
Jagadguru at Panduranga Vitthal shrine, Pandharpur
In the evening, the Jagadguru arrived at the famous Pandharpur Kshetra where He was devotedly welcomed by Sri Amalnekar Maharaj of Sakharam Math. The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam stated many quotations from Sri Adi Shankaracharya's commentaries that shed light on the aspect of devotion to the Supreme. The Jagadguru recounted Narasimha Avatara from Srimad Bhagavatam and quoted Sri Shankara - "Syaat Parameshwarasyaapi icchaavashaan maayaamayam roopam saadhaka-anugrahahaartham" (The Supreme Lord adorns a form out of His own volition to grace the devotee). The Jagadguru also posed the questions - Is it possible to see God? Is it possible to converse with God? and answered through Sri Shankara's words "VyaasaadayaH devaadibhiH pratyaksham vyavajahruH" (Exalted ones such as Veda Vyasa had direct associations with the gods). The Jagadguru also recalled the Lord's statement in the Gita mentioning the four types of devotees and the Lord's own declaration of the exalted nature of the Jnani's devotion. Thus even Jnanis who revel in the Self have complete devotion to the Lord. The Jagadguru recalled the great devotees and Jnanis such as Jnanadev, Tukaram, Tulsidas, Kabirdas, Surdas and said that every one should cultivate steadfast devotion to God. The Jagadguru blessed the gathering while stating that it is but Divine will that He entered Maharashtra at Kolhapur with Goddess Mahalalshmi's worship, and shall leave the state after worshipping Lord Pandurang. On the morning of 15th the Jagadguru went in a procession amidst Vedic chants to the temple of Pandurang Vitthal. The Jagadguru offered a gold necklace and gold bilva-dalam to the Lord of Pandhari, and performed a special Puja. Many devotees beheld this divine sight and felt blessed.
Jagadguru continues Vijaya Yatra in Maharashtra
On 2nd November, the Jagadguru moved to Sangamaner and then to Pimpalgaon the following day. Jagadguru laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new temple of Sri Maruti there and blessed the effort with a donation of Rs. 1 lakh given on behalf of the Peetham. Proceeding through Rahuri, the Jagadguru reached Shani-Shinganapur on 4th November. He worshipped Lord Shanaishchara and reached Ahmednagar by evening.
Jagadguru performing Go Puja
on Bali Padya at Ahmed Nagar
At Ahmednagar, a conference of Harikatha exponents and Vedic scholars of Maharashtra took place in the holy presence of the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru worshipped Lord Dattatreya at Ahmed Nagar on November 8th. On 10th, the Bali Padya day, the Jagadguru performed Go Puja in accordance to tradition. The same afternoon, the Jagadguru accepting the reverential invitation extended by Swami Swaroopananda Saraswati of Shrutisagar Ashram, graced the Ashram at Phoolgaon near Pune. In the evening, the Jagadguru reached Pune where He inaugurated the Deepotsava function at the Chatush-shringi temple.
On 11th evening, the Jagadguru presided over the 49th annual day function of the Sanskrit fortnightly, "Sharada" published from Pune. The Jagadguru gave an Anugraha Bhashanam in Sanskrit stressing the importance of the hoary language and conveying that everybody must make an attempt to study the language. The editor of "Sharada", Sri Vasant Rao Gadgil, being an elderly scholar himself as well as an ardent disciple of the Peetham, expressed gratitude to the Peetham and the Jagadguru. He was honoured on this occasion by the Peetham. On 12th, the Jagadguru performed the Karthika Somavara Puja to Lord Chandramoulishwara at noon. That evening a Guru Vandana programme was organized by the citizens of Pune where Swami Govinda Devagiri was also present. The Jagadguru released "Sringeri Maahatmyaa", the Marathi translation of "Greatness of Sringeri" and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam. On 13th, the Jagadguru graced the Ghaisas Guruji Veda Pathashala and reached Phalatan in the evening. He recounted that His Guru had visited Phalatan exactly 40 years back on the same date. On November 14th, the Jagadguru blessed the renovation of the Siddhi Vinayak temple at Phalatan and donated Rs. 10,000 given on behalf of the Peetham.
Kumbhabhisheka at Nasik Shankara Math
Jagadguru worships Goddess Sharada
after installation at Shankara Math, Nasik
On 1st November, the Jagadguru performed the Pratishta Kumbhabhisheka of Goddess Sharada, and Sri Adi Shankara at the Nasik Sringeri Shankara Math. It may be noted that while the Adi Shankara icon has been in existence for long, the Nasik Math did not have a shrine for Goddess Sharada, the presiding deity of the Peetham. The decision to renovate the Math and consecrate Goddess Sharada was a boon for all devotees of the holy town and saw fructification at the Divine hands of the Jagadguru on this auspicious day.
Sri Sri Sannidhanam also worshiped at the Adhistanams of the 28th and 29th Jagadgurus of the Peetham - Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Sacchidanda Bharati Mahaswamigal and Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal. The Jagadguru also graced a number of Dharmic functions in Nasik.
Jagadguru performing Puja at the Adhishthanam of
Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati Mahaswamiji,
28th Peethadhipati of
Dakshinamnaya Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham at Nasik