Varanasi Vijaya Yatra of the Jagadguru
All Astikas are well aware of the deep association between the sacred town of Varanasi and the remarkable life of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the Avatara of Sri Paramashiva & the rejuvenator of our Sanatana Vaidika Dharma.
It was at Varanasi that Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya had Pratyaksha darshan of Bhagavan Sri Vishwanatha as well as Maharshi Veda Vyasa. Several disciples such as Sri Padmapada sought refuge in the Jagadguru, while He was in Varanasi. These incidents have been described in the Shankara Digvijaya penned by Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya Mahaswamiji, the 12th Acharya of the renowned Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which is one of the four Amnaya Peethams established by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya Mahaswamiji was instrumental in establishing the Vijayanagara empire, which was at the forefront of protecting and preserving our Sanatana Dharma in South India. The renowned commentator on the four Vedas and the composer of Vedantic texts such as Panchadashi, Jivanmukti Viveka and others, Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya visited Varanasi in the 14th century, had Darshan of Bhagavan Sri Vishwanatha and Maharshi Veda Vyasa, and established the first branch of Sringeri Math at the Kedar Ghat. At the branch Math, the 12th Acharya consecrated Bhagavan Sri Chandramoulishwara, who continues to bless all devotees to this day.
Thus, a strong association between the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham and sacred Varanasi commenced right from the time of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. In 1977, the Kumbhabhisheka of the Devi Annapurna temple at Kashi was performed by the 35th Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Anantasri Vibhushita Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamiji, along with His Uttaradhikari, the current and 36th Shankaracharya of the Peetham, Anantasri Vibhushita Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji. In 1994, as part of His all-India Vijaya Yatra, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji visited Varanasi and offered worship to Bhagavan Sri Vishwanatha for the welfare of the world. Many dharmic events such as Veda Sabha and Shastra Sabha were organised on the occasion. The Jagadguru also graced and blessed several institutions and dharmic programs during His visit.
Presently, the occasion for Kumbhabhisheka of Devi Annapurna at Varanasi has come up again. The Annapurna Mandir’s Mahant Sri Shankara Puri visited Sringeri and prayed to Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji to perform the Kumbhabhisheka. With immense compassion upon all disciples, the Jagadguru has directed His Uttaradhikari, (who is non-different from Him) Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji, to perform the Kumbhabhisheka.
Therefore, the 37th Shankaracharya, Anantasri Vibhushita Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamji will visit Varanasi, perform Maha-kumbhabhisheka to Devi Annapurna and the golden Shikhara newly constructed as an humble offering by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, offer special worship to Bhagavan Sri Vishwanatha and also perform Kumbhabhisheka of the Sringeri Shankara Math at Kedar Ghat. The Jagadguru will also conduct the Sahasra Chandi Mahayajna, Maharudra Yajna, Koti Kumkumarchana for Sri Annapurna Devi, Veda Sabha, Shastra Sabha and other programs for the welfare of humanity.
As a part of this Vijaya Yatra, the 37th Acharya will also grace several dharmic activities for a week at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, before arriving at Varanasi. After His camp at Varanasi, the Jagadguru will have Darshan at sacred Ayodhya and culminate His Yatra at Gorkakhpur.
All devotees are hereby invited to participate in the dharmic programs organised as a part of this historic occasion of the Jagadguru’s Vijaya Yatra in Varanasi and other Kshetras, have the blessing of the Jagadguru’s Darshan, become a recipient of the compassionate grace of Bhagavan Sri Vishwanatha, Sri Annapurneshwari, Sri Sharadamba, Bhagavan Sri Chandramoulishwara; and sanctify their lives.