Navaratri Celebrations at Sringeri
Goddess Sharadamba on the Golden Ratha
On the Mahalaya Amavasya day (September 27th), Mahabhishekam was performed to Goddess Sharada. After the Mahabhishekam, Goddess Sharadamba gave Darshan as Jagat Prasutika signifying her role as the Divine Mother of the Universe. The Alankara is unique in that the Universe is represented symbolically as a baby in the arms of the Divine Mother Sharada. The Jagat Prasutika Alankara also portrays the Goddess as the one who nurtures with love the world and all beings in it. Goddess Sharada sported a number of Alankaras such as Hamsavahini, Mayuravahini, Rishabhavahini, Gajalakshmi, Simhavahini, Veena Sharada, Indrani, and Rajarajeshwari. Each aspect, inimitable and radiating bliss to all can only be ascertained by the Darshanam of the Goddess
Jagadgurus Sharada-prathishta-puja on the commencement of navaratri
The Jagadguru arriving for Durbar
The Panchami day also marked the commencement of the Shata Chandi Yaga which extended for five days. During this Yaga, 10 Ritwiks chanted the Durga Sapta Shati (Devi Mahatmyam) once on the first day, twice on the second day, thrice on the third day and four times on the fourth day. The chanting of the Sapta Shati for 100 times was followed by the Purnahuti of the Yaga on Mahanavami. On Mahanavami, the Purnahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga, conducted for the welfare of all beings, was completed in the presence of Mahaswamiji. The Gaja Puja, Ashwa Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vahana Puja were all performed in the presence of His Holiness. The form of Chamunda (Simha Vahana Alankara) which Goddess Sharada adorned, thrilled the hearts of all devotees gathered. Even those, who were unable to come to Sringeri, had the golden opportunity of watching the events live on ETV Kannada. Sri Sankara TV also carried live telecast during the Navaratri Celebrations.
The golden rathotsava inside goddess Sharada temple
before commencement of the Jagadguru’s Durbar
On every day of Navaratri, the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada was taken in a Dindi Utsava every evening along the main street of Sringeri. The Utsava Moorti was also decorated exquisitely in a number of Alankaras. The various forms of the Goddess were also depicted in the Vigraha of Goddess Sharada worshipped as part of the daily Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru.
The Jagadguru in Durbar
During the Navaratri festival, Parayana of the four Vedas, the commentaries on Vedanta (Prasthana-traya Bhashya of Sri Adi Shankaracharya), Sri Devi Bhagavatam, Sri Devi Mahatmyam, Ramayanam, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Harivamsha Puranam, Sri and Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam took place in the Goddess Sharada temple. During Navaratri, the Jagadguru performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the “Sharada Prasada” building, adjacent to the main Annadana complex of the Peetham. The Jagadguru also gave Darshan in the evenings here.
Poornahuti of Shatachandi Mahayaga on Mahanavami day
The Jagadguru during Gajapuja on Mahanavami day
Every night after the Chandramoulishwara Puja, the Jagadguru in accordance to the centuries-old tradition, adorned in royal attire conducted the Golden Dindi Utsava of Goddess Sharada in the temple and held the Navaratri Durbar. During the Durbar, Sri Durga Sapta Shati (Sri Devi Mahatmyam) Parayanam took place followed by Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda Sevas. On the night of Moola Nakshatra, when the Goddess is decorated as Veena Sharada, offerings of the various Maharajas including Mysore, Gwalior, Indore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kashi, Nepal were placed before the Goddess by the CEO & Administrator, Sri V R Gowrishankar on their behalf. On Vijayadashami day, the Pattabhisheka Sarga from Srimad Valimiki Ramayanam was read by the Jagadguru at Pravachana Mandiram even as thousands of children were initiated into Vidyabhyasa in the temple of Goddess Sharada.
The Jagadguru’s Adda-pallakki procession
On Ekadashi, the Sharadamba Maharathotsava was held at Sringeri. An unprecedented number of devotees thronged the holy town. The Jagadguru was reverentially carried in the Golden Adda pallaki (palanquin) facing the front of the Chariot carrying the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada.
Tableaus including one containing the Guru-parampara of the Peetham were part of the rathotsava procession
During the Navaratri, the Jagadguru released an audio CD named “Sri Sharada Stuti Manjari – Vol. 1” containing hymns on Goddess Sharada by the Jagadgurus of the Peetham set to tune by renowned violinist Sri R K Shriramkumar and sung by Smt. Bombay Jayashri.
The Celebrations ended with Mahabhisheka of Goddess Sharada on the Poornima day (October 11th) followed by Teppotsava of Goddess Sharada in the night.