The Centenary Celebrations of Bangalore Shankara Math
Jagadguru arriving at Goddess Sharada temple to
perform Puja and Kumbhabhishekha during the
Bangalore Math Centenary Celebrations
On 14th May 2007, the Centenary Celebrations (Shatamanotsava) of the Shankarapuram Math started at 7 AM with Jagadguru first performing Abhisheka to Goddess Sharada and then to Sri Adi Shankara at the temples. This was followed by Alankara, Archana and Mangalarati at both the shrines. The Jagadguru then performed Kumbhabhisheka to the Gopuras over the sanctum of the temples of Goddess Sharada and Adi Shankara. He then inaugurated Sri Bharati Tirtha Veda Patashala Bhavana – a new building for the Patashala at Bangalore. He also opened a new Goshala. Live transmission of the event was displayed on giant screens that were put up inside the main hall of the Math while closed circuit televisions around the Math campus helped the devotees to watch the entire event.
Devotees watch the Puja on giant screens
put up in the main hall of the Math
The evening function began with Veda Ghosha. The welcome address was delivered by Sri K Chandrashekhar, MLA Basavanagudi. A Binnavattale (historical record) carved out in silver, was submitted on behalf of all citizens of Bangalore by the Administrator, Sri V R Gowrishankar. In the Binnavattale that was read out, the citizens of Bangalore thanked the Jagadguru for having blessed them with His presence after a gap of twelve years and reverentially requested that a similar blessing be graced upon them four years from now, when the Bharatiya Geervani Proudha Vidya Abhivardhini Pathashala would be completing its centenary.
Jagadguru performing Kumbhabhisheka
of Sri Adi Shankara temple at Shankarapuram
The royal scion of Mysore, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar then paid his respects to the Jagadguru and released a book titled “Sri Sringeri Peetha matthu Mysooru Samsthana” – a profusely illustrated Kannada book containing a historical study on the relationship between Sringeri Sharada Peetham and the Mysore Royal family.
Karnataka State Minister Sri M P Prakash released “Shankara Shatakam” – Commemoration Volume of the Centenary Celebrations while former Chief Minister Sri Dharam Singh attended the function and spoke on the occasion expressing his heartfelt devotion to the Sringeri Jagadguru.
Jagadguru feeding a cow that
He named Gayatri at the new Goshala
The Jagadguru released an English book titled “An Avatar of Shankara”, a life account of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, penned by Sri A Ramaswamy, IAS. The Jagadguru also released the Kannada book written by Nanjangud Srikantha Sastry who had served Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal and Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal. The book now in its third reprint, was first released in 1924 during the inauguration of Abhinava Shankaralaya – the Mysore Shankara Math.
On this occasion, the Karnataka Postal Circle Postal department issued a Special Cover on the occasion featuring a photo of the Shankarapuram Math with the following description on the back side of the cover “Sri Sringeri Shankara Math, Shankarapuram, Bangalore – 4, is a magnificent structure of 100 years. It was constructed in the year 1907 during the time of Jagadguru Sri Satchidananda Shivabhivana Nrsimha Bharathi Swamiji, the 33rd pontiff of Sri Sringeri Math started by Adi Shankaracharya over 1200 years ago. This century old building is constructed in granite in the Chalukyan style of architecture and is surrounded by coconut garden on three directions. This is a landmark in this area and a holy place of worship and tranquility and also continues to be a centre for cultural, philosophical and Dharmic activities of the city of Bangalore.”
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashana said that it was with the intention of expressing gratitude to Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya that His Parameshthi Guru Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal had started the Math at Bangalore a century ago. While pointing out the contribution of Sri Adi Shankaracharya to the cause of Sanatana Dharma, He urged the masses to realise the fundamental tenet of our Upanishads that there is but one Supreme; only the names and forms are multifarious. The Jagadguru expressed happiness that many Dharmic activities including Kumbhabhishekas, Ati Rudra Mahayaga, opening of Patashala building, Goshala, a speciality hospital to serve the needy have took place during His stay and blessed the organizers and the gathering.
After the Anugraha Bhashana, hundreds of organizations, institutions and individuals offered Phala Samarpana and received the Jagadguru’s Blessings. The entire programme was telecast live on Doordarshan, Bangalore.