Vidyashankara Aradhana and Rathotsava
His Holiness The Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji
presides over the Vidyashankara Rathotsava. Seen leading the procession are
two over sized moving figures of Harihara and Bukka Raya, a tradition in memory
of the emperors of the Vijayanagara Empire who patronized the Math.
The Aradhana Mahotsava of the 10th Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Vidyashankara Tirtha commenced on the 20th of October 2009 with the Dhwaja-Arohana at the temple of Sri Vidyashankara at Sringeri. The following five days special pujas were performed at the temple.
The Aradhana was observed reverentially on the 25th of October. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji performed the Aradhana Pooja at noon in the sanctum sanctorum of the magnificent Lord Sri Vidyashankara temple built over the Samadhi location of the Jagadguru. The following day, on 26th, Sri Vidyashankara Rathotsava was celebrated with great gusto by the denizens of Sringeri. The magnificent wooden Ratha, which is embellished with artistic carvings and mesuring over 60 feet, was pulled by the many devout who thronged to have darshan of the Jagadguru and the Idol of Sri Vidyashankara Tirtha which was magnificently clad in rich attire and beautifully decorated with flowers for the occasion.
On the 27th of October 2009 at 7:00 PM, Teppotsava of Sri Vidyashankara was celebrated in the august presence of the Jagadguru. The idol of Sri Vidyashankara was placed on a beautifully decorated float and ferried across the Tunga river from the north bank to the south bank where the Jagadguru had darshan. The whole event lasted for around 20 minutes amidst a marvellous display of fireworks. After the teppotsava, the Idol of Sri Vidyashankara was paraded through the streets of Sringeri on a small Ratha. The whole event ended thereafter at around 8:00 PM.