Centenary Celebrations at Kalady
Laksha Modaka Ganapati Homa
On May 19th, the Centenary Celebrations of the rediscovery of Sri Adi Shankaracharya Janmabhoomi Kshetram, Kalady commenced. A Laksha Modaka Ganapati Homa was performed in a special Pandal on the day with the CEO and Administrator of the Peetham, Guruseva Dhurina Dr. V R Gowrishankar taking the Sankalpa. About 50 people who had come from Sringeri prepared the 1 lakh Modakas over a period of 3 days prior to the Homa. More than 100 Ritwiks participated and Vedabrahmasri Nagaraja Bhat of Sringeri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Pathashala officiated as the Acharya in the Homa, the first of its kind in Kerala. The Poornahuti of the Homa took place in the presence of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji.
Ati Rudra Mahayaga
On May 20th, the Sankalpa for the Atirudra Mahayaga was taken in the divine presence of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji towards the welfare of the world. About 120 Vedic priests from all over the country were invited to be Ritwiks and conduct the Mahayaga. The Mahayaga continued for the next 11 days, with the Ritwiks chanting Mahanyasaka Poorvaka and Ekadashavara Rudra Japa and Abhisheka was conducted. Vedabrahmasri Narendra Bhat, scholar in Rig Veda and Vyakarana Shastra at the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Rig Veda Pathashala, Kalady officiated as the Acharya in the Mahayaga. In the evenings Rudra Krama Patha and Ashtavadhana Seva was conducted.
Kumbhabhisheka
The Mahasankalpa for the Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies took place in the divine presence of the Mahaswamiji on 21st May in front of the shrine of Adi Shankaracharya. Ritwiks led by the Tantri of the Sringeri Math, Veda Brahma Sri Tangirala Seetharama Sharma performed a number of rituals including Adhivaasa Homa, Tattvakalaa Homa and Shanti Homa, as part of the Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies over the next 3 days.
On 23rd May (Nija Vaishakha Shukla Dashami), the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji Himself conducted the Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies. The Mahaswamiji first offered worship at the shrine of Lord Shakti Ganapati. Thereafter, Abhisheka was performed at the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This was followed by Abhisheka at the temple of Goddess Sharada. Mahamangalarati then took place at the two shrines even as thousands of people thronged the Janmabhoomi Kshetram. The Mahaswamiji then performed the Shikhara Abhishekas to the Gopurams atop the sanctum sanctorums of the shrines of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Goddess Sharada. The Mathadhipati of Shivaganga Math, Sri Sacchidananda Bharati Swamiji also attended the event.
In the evening, a public congregation was held at the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the presence of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji. Administrator & CEO, Dr. V R Gowrishankar spoke about the joy that he had observed in the Mahaswamiji from the time of the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations. The Mahaswamiji in His Anugraha Bhashanam spoke about the re-discoverer of Kalady – His Parameshthi Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. The Parameshthi Guru had been still a 8-year old Brahmachari when the first Darshan of the then Sringeri Acharya was had. Describing what transpired then, the Mahaswamiji stated that it is possible to understand from this particular event that the young boy had immense good Samskara and would contribute in various ways to the world of Astikas. Chief among His achievements are the rediscovery of Kalady, instituting the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations across India, and bringing out the first-ever publication of the complete works of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Mahaswamiji stated that we should ever remain grateful to His Parameshthi Guru for having rediscovered Kalady. The Mahaswamiji also mentioned that the presence of the Mathadhipati of Shivaganga Math (a Shaakhaa Math of Sringeri) was a case of “history repeated” as the then Mathadhipati of Shivaganga Math was present during the 1910 Kumbhabhisheka. The Mahaswamiji expressed great satisfaction at the conduct of the Shatamanotsava Kumbhabhisheka and blessed all.
Exclusive Feature
- Photo Gallery of Kumbhabhishekam at Kalady
- Watch the Anugraha Bhashanam delivered by the Jagadguru on the occassion of the Centenary celebrations at Kalady.
Releases
The Mahaswamiji released a special Souvenir “Kalady Shatakam” being brought out to commemorate 100 years of Kalady’s rediscovery. The Souvenir has articles in Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Malayalam penned by eminent scholars and personalities, besides containing rare photographs and documents such as the correspondences between the Travancore Maharajas and the Sringeri Jagadgurus.
The Mahaswamiji then released a DVD titled “Kalady: The Triumph of Faith Over Time”. The DVD depicts the childhood life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in and around Kalady highlighting the present-day landmarks where the events such as the composition of the Kanakadhara Stotram occurred. The DVD also recounts how Kalady came to be discovered by the 33rd Acharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. As a special feature, the DVD also contains a 30 minute Sanskrit discourse (with English subtitles) of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji as well as a special hymn composed by the Mahaswamiji on the occasion of the Kalady Centenary Celebrations. The details of the DVD is available at www.kaladyfilm.com
The Mahaswamiji also released the biography of His Parameshthi Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji in Telugu and English (titled “A Sage Par Excellence”).
The Mahaswamiji also released an audio CD “Guru Suvarnamala” containing hymns on Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji composed by His disciple, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji. The hymns have been sung melodiously by the Sringeri Sisters.
Shatachandi Mahayaga
As part of the Centenary Celebrations, a Shatachandi Mahayaga was also performed. The Sankalpa of Shata Chandi Mahayaga took place in the Mahaswamiji’s divine presence on 24th May. The Durga Saptachati was recited a hundred times over four days by 10 Ritwiks with Vedabrahmasri Narahari Subrahmanya Bhat, priest of Goddess Sharada temple, Sringeri officiating as the Acharya. The Shatachandi Mahayaga concluded with the Poornahuti conducted in the Mahaswamiji’s presence on May 28th. The Poornahuti was followed by Suvasini and Kannika Puja in the Yagashala. Photo gallery of Shatachandi can be accessed here.
The same day, a Suvasini Puja was conducted in front of Goddess Sharadamba’s shrine. The Centenary Celebrations concluded with the Poornahuti of the Atirudra Mahayaga conducted in the divine presence of the Mahaswamiji on May 31st.