93rd Jayanthi Mahotsavam of Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji conducted at Chennai
The 93rd Jayanthi Mahotsavam of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal , the 35th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham was held recently at Chennai in India for five days in a grand manner.
The Mahotsavam conducted with the blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, was organised by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation , Chennai. The Mahotsavam got to a devotional start on 1st of December with a Nama Sankeerthanam and Bhajan by Papanasam Sri Ramani Bagavathar and party. Noted industrialist Smt.Sudha Shivkumar lighted the Kuthuvilakku. Kizhambur Sri S.Shankrasubramanian,Editor,Kalaimagal spoke on the greatness of Mahaswamigal at the inaugural function.
Brahmasri B.Sundarakumar,well known Scholar and Harikatha exponent delivered a lecture series on Sri Prahalada Charithram. Every day eminent Vidwans rendered Nama Sankeerthanam and Bhajan. This includes Erode Sri Rajamani Bagavathar, Dr.R.Ganesh,Kovai Sri S.Jayaraman and Mumbai Sri K.Ganesh Kumar.
On the concluding day of the Mahotsavam, Sri K.S.Sripathi, I.A.S. ( Retd. ) Chief Information Commissioner,Tamil Nadu State Information Commission presided over the function. Sri K.S.Sripathi honoured veteran Vyakarana Scholar Brahmasri G.Mahabaleshwara Bhat for rich contribution to study and teaching of Vyakarana Shastra. He was presented with cash award, a citation and a memento. Every year this Foundation honours an eminent Scholar at this Jayanthi Mahotsavam and the person to be honoured is nominated by Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal Himself.
Sri K.S.Sripathi also presented Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Rolling Trophy to the winners of the Inter-Collegiate oratorical competition conducted earlier on topics pertaining to Indian Philosophy. This year Madras Sanskrit College represented by R.Sowjanya Kumar and C.Hariharan won the Trophy for the second consecutive time. Kumari S.Meenakshi of Ethiraj College for Women won the first prize in the individual category.
Bahmasri B.Sundarakumar released the CD and the books containing a sacred benedictory discourse of Sri Mahasannidhanam delivered in Tamil in the year 1958 at Madurai. The first copy of the CD titled ‘ The Guru One must Seek’ was presented to Sri K.S.Sripathi. The first copy of the book in English was presented to Sri K.Vidyashankar an industrialist and the Tamil version of the book to Sri E.R.Ravikumar author and a leading design consultant.
Brahmasri K.S.Radhakrishna Sastrigal former Assistant Editor of Sri Shankra Krupa delivered the Jayanthi Address. Sri Radhakrishna Sastrigal who had his first darshan of Sri Mahasannidhanam in the year 1936 at Sringeri shared some memorable experiences.
Brahmasri B.Sundarakumar delivered a special lecture and spoke about the book ‘The Guru One must Seek’ . He said Sri Mahasannidhanam is such a great Guru and all the attributes highlighted in the book totally matched with His personality. Any true spiritual aspirant will certainly reach the ultimate by worshipping and following His teachings.
The function held at Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Pravachana Mandiram, R.A.Puram,Chennai was well attended by many devotees.