Rig Samhita Yaga at Jayapura
On 16 April 2015, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti of the Rik Samhita Yaga at Lokanathapura, near Jayapura (about 30 km from Sringeri). The Yaga was conducted by elderly Purohit Sri Sitaram Bhat, who had studied in the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala six decades ago.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam said that Sri Sitaram Bhat was exemplary because Purohits usually conduct Yagas only for others, whereas he had also been conducting Yagas for the welfare of his own self, and for the welfare of humanity. It may be noted that Sri Sitaram Bhat was conducting the elaborate eight-day Rig Samhita Yaga for the second time. Sri Mahasannidhanam also said that it was most appropriate to conduct the Samhita Yaga because, unlike any other Yaga where only specific Mantras are chanted, all the Mantras of the Veda are recited in the Samhita Yaga and oblations offered unto Agni Devata. Sri Mahasannidhanam also noted that the Sri Sitaram Bhat had been like a father-figure to Sri S N Krishnamoorthy (personal attendant to Sri Mahasannidhanam) and blessed the elderly Vaidika, his family, the Ritwiks and all devotees.