Jagadguru at the temples of Sri Krishna and Devi Katyayani
Sri Krishna temple
The presence of the temple of Lord Sri Krishna adjacent to the Janmabhoomi Kshetram played a role in confirming the exact location of Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s birthplace. The Madhaveeya Shankara Digvijaya clearly states that Sri Adi Shankaracharya relocated the shrine of Sri Krishna at Kalady nearer his home before leaving Kalady.
Since the rediscovery, it is a tradition of the Sringeri Acharyas to offer worship at the shrine of Sri Krishna during Their stay at Kalady. Accordingly, the Trustees of the Sri Krishna temple had invited the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji to the temple on Ekadashi (May 24th), the day after the Kumbhabhisheka to the shrines of Adi Shankaracharya and Goddess Sharada had taken place to commemorate the Centenary. On the scheduled day, the Mahaswamiji offered worship at the shrine of Lord Sri Krishna.
Earlier, the Mahaswamiji graced the Kanakadhara Yajnam conducted at the Sri Krishna temple during the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations. On Akshaya Triteeya day (May 16th), the Mahaswamiji had Darshan of Sri Krishna temple, and performed Swarna Amalaka Abhisheka at the site of the Kanakadhara Yajnam, and blessed the devotees.
Manikkamangalam Katyayani Devi Temple
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji graced the Katyayani Devi temple at Manikkamangalam, 2 km north of Kalady on 28th May. This ancient temple was where the residents of Kalady 12 centuries ago first experienced the divinity of the young child Shankara. It was here that the Devi manifested and accepted the young Shankara’s milk offering and blessed him.
The day of the Mahaswamiji’s visit coincided with the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Mahayaga at the Adi Shankara Janmabhoomi Kshetram. The Mahaswamiji was received with Poornakumbha by the Melshanti of the temple. The Mahaswamiji offered worship to Goddess Katyayani and returned to Kalady.