Sharada Sharannavaratri Celebrations
Jagadguru in Durbar during the nine nights of Navaratri Utsava at Sharadamba Temple
Navaratri Celebrations began with the performance of Mahabhisheka to Goddess Sharada on Mahalaya Amavasya (7th October). The Goddess was decorated as Jagat Prasutika after the Mahabhisheka.
On 8th October, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji performed Sharada Prathistha and then performed special Puja to Goddess Sharada. Goddess Sharada sported a number of Alankaras such as Hamsavahini, Mayuravahini, Rishabhavahini, Gajalakshmi, Simhavahini, Veena Sharada, Indrani, and Rajarajeshwari. Every day in the mornings, the Jagadguru offered a special Puja to Goddess Sharada. Lakhs of devotees visited Sringeri and offered worship during Navaratri.
Purnahuti of the Shata Chandi Mahayajna
Shatachandi Mahayaga commenced on Panchami. On Mahanavami, the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga was completed in the presence of Mahaswamiji. The Gaja Puja, Ashwa Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vahana Puja were all performed in the Jagadguru’s presence.
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 Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam took place in the Goddess Sharada temple.
Every evening, Laksharchana was performed inside the temple. The Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada was taken in a Dindi Utsava along the main street of Sringeri to the accompaniment of Veda Ghosha and the singing of bhajans by various groups. The Utsava Moorti and the Vigraha of Goddess Sharada worshipped as part of the daily Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru, were also decorated exquisitely in a number of Alankaras.
Every night after the Chandramoulishwara Puja, the Jagadguru in accordance to the centuries-old tradition adorned 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 Ashtavadhana Seva and Panchanga Pathanam. On the night of Moola Nakshatra, when the Goddess is decorated as Veena Sharada, offerings of the various Maharajas including Mysore, Gwalior, Indore, Jamakhandi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kashi, Nepal were placed before the Goddess by the Administrator Sri V R Gowrishankar.
Throughout the nine days, music artistes offered Seva to the Goddess and the Jagadguru by performing at the Jagadguru Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam.
Jagadguru Adoring the golden Palanquin during the Adda Pallakki Utsava
On Vijayadashami (October 17th), the Pattabhisheka Sarga of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam was read in the presence of the Jagadguru. On Ekadashi (October 18th), the Sharadamba Maharathotsava took place. Watched by a huge gathering of devotees, the Jagadguru was reverentially carried in the Golden Adda pallaki (palanquin) in front of the Ratha. This was followed by Durbar at the temple of Goddess Sharada after which the Jagadguru distributed Tirtha Prasada to all those assembled. The events of Mahanavami and Ekadashi were telecast live on ETV Kannada. This was also telecast live via the Peetham’s website www.sringeri.net. The Sharannavaratri Celebrations ended with Mahabhishekha of the Goddess on Poornima (October 22nd) followed by Teppotsava in the evening.