Sharan Navarathri Celebrations 2008
Goddess Sharada (Utsava Moorti)
during Sharannavaratri
On the Mahalaya Amavasya day (September 29th), Mahabhishekam was performed to Goddess Sharada. After the Mahabhishekam, Goddess Sharadamba gave Darshan as Jagat Prasutika signifying her role as the Divine Mother of the Universe. The Alankara is unique in that the Universe is represented symbolically as a baby in the arms of the Divine Mother Sharada. The Jagat Prasutika Alankara also portrays the Goddess as the one who nurtures with love the world and all beings in it. Goddess Sharada sported a number of Alankaras such as Hamsavahini, Mayuravahini, Rishabhavahini, Gajalakshmi, Simhavahini, Veena Sharada, Indrani, and Rajarajeshwari. Each aspect, inimitable and radiating bliss to all can only be ascertained by the Darshanam of the Goddess.
This Panchami day also marked the commencement of the Shata Chandi Yaga which extends for four days. During this Yaga, 10 Ritwiks chant the Durga Sapta Shati (Devi Mahatmyam) once on the first day, twice on the second day, thrice on the third day and four times on the fourth day. This completes the chanting of the Sapta Shati for 100 times and this is followed by the Purnahuti of the Yaga on Mahanavami. On Mahanavami, the Purnahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga, conducted for the welfare of all beings, was completed in the presence of Mahaswamigal. The Gaja Puja, Ashwa Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vahana Puja were all performed in the presence of His Holiness. The form of Chamunda (Simha Vahana Alankara) which Goddess Sharada adorned, thrilled the hearts of all devotees gathered. Even those, who were unable to come to Sringeri, had the golden opportunity of watching the events live on ETV Kannada. TTD’s Sri Venkateshwara Bhakti Channel and Asianet Suvarna also telecast documentaries on the Navaratri Celebrations.
On every day of Navaratri, the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada was taken in a Dindi Utsava every evening along the main street of Sringeri. The Utsava Moorti was also decorated exquisitely in a number of Alankaras. The various forms of the Goddess were also depicted in the Vigraha of Goddess Sharada worshipped as part of the daily Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru.
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 and Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam took place in the Goddess Sharada temple. During Navaratri, the Jagadguru performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the first floor of the new building “Sharada Prasada”, adjacent to “Sri Bharati Tirtha Prasada”, the main Annadana complex of the Peetham. The Jagadguru also gave Darshan in the evenings here.
The Sringeri Jagadguru as the
Karnataka Simhasana Prathisthapanacharya
Every night after the Chandramoulishwara Puja, the Jagadguru in accordance to the centuries-old tradition, adorned in 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 Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda Sevas. On the night of Moola Nakshatra, when the Goddess is decorated as Veena Sharada, offerings of the various Maharajas including Mysore, Gwalior, Indore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kashi, Nepal were placed before the Goddess by the Administrator on their behalf. On Ekadashi, the Sharadamba Maharathotsava was held at Sringeri. An unprecedented number of devotees thronged the holy town. The Jagadguru was reverentially carried in the Golden Adda pallaki (palanquin) facing the front of the Chariot carrying the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada.
On the first day of Navaratri, the Jagadguru released a DVD, Anugraha Bhashanam Video Series Volume 4 containing two Anugraha Bhashanams, one in Hindi, titled “The Goal of Human Birth” and another in Kannada titled “The Importance of Human Birth”. Both the Anugraha Bhashanams have English subtitles for other language speakers to understand the content of the Bhashanams. Besides the Anugraha Bhashanams, the DVD features excerpts of the Jagadguru performing Puja at Sri Kumaraswamy temple in Sandur, Bellary District, Karnataka. The footage has for its background music Dhandapani Panchakam and Subrahmanya Bhujanga Prayaatastuti – Two compositions on Lord Subrahmanya by the 33rd Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. The DVD also has excerpts of the Vamana Jayanti Puja performed by the Jagadguru in the Mumbai Shankara Math.
The Anugraha Bhashanam DVD Volume 5
released by the Jagadguru
On Vijayadashami day, the Pattabhisheka Sarga from Srimad Valimiki Ramayanam was read by the Jagadguru at Pravachana Mandiram. On this occasion also, the Jagadguru released a DVD, Anugraha Bhashanam Video Series Volume 5. The DVD contains a total of three Anugraha Bhashanams (supplemented by English subtitles) given by the Jagadguru. One of the Bhashanams is in Kannada titled “What should we pray to Goddess Sharada for?”. Two of them are in Hindi, titled “Importance of the Mother Cow” and “Worship without any expectation”. Besides the Anugraha Bhashanams, the DVD features excerpts of the Jagadguru performing the Kumbhabhishekams at the Sringeri Shankara Maths in Nasik and Dharwad as well as the Narasimha Jayanti Puja at Bangalore. The DVD also contains exclusive footage of Jagadguru in the Goshala at Sringeri.
The Sharannavaratri Celebrations ended with Mahabhishekha of the Goddess on Poornima (Oct 14th) followed by Teppotsava in the evening in the Jagadguru’s presence.