Day 9 of Rajagopuram Kumbhabhishekam
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji graced the Math precincts in the Norther bank of the Tunga river at around 9:10 am. After having the Darshan of Goddess Sharadamba, the Jagadguru remained in the temple till the completion of ongoing Lalita Sahasranama Parayana as part of the Koti Kumkumarchana. The Jagadguru once again came to Sri Sharadamba Sannidhi in the evening, after blessing the musicians and listening to the song Sarasiruhasanapriye in Natta Raga. Everyone present noted the joy in the countenance of the Jagadguru as the chanting of the Namas, that not only praise the Goddess but also are filled with the nectar of the Advaita, reverberated inside the temple. Then the Jagadguru visited the Atirudra Yagashala and Sahasra chandika Yagashala and listened to the Chantings of the Ritwiks.
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Summary of the events on historic Sringeri Rajagopura Kumbhabhisheka day
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji performed the Kumbhabhisheka of the Rajagopuram at Sringeri on 8th June 2014 (Jyeshta Shuddha Dashami). Tens of Thousands of devotees from all parts of the country assembled in the Math precincts to witness the historic event.
The Jagadguru started from Narasimha Vanam at around 9 am and first had Darshan at the Adhishtanams of His Guru, Parama Guru and Parameshti Guru. The Jagadguru then crossed over to the northern banks of the Tunga and had Darshan of Goddess Sharadamba, Sri Vidyashankara, Lord Balasubrahmanya, Janardhana Swami, Anjaneya, Garuda, Sri Rama, Sri Vageshwari, Malayala Brahma, Adi Shankaracharya, and the Adhisthanams of Poorva Acharyas from Sri Sureshwaracharya to Parapara Guru Sri Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. The Jagadguru also visited the Yagashalas of Atirudra and Sahasrachandika Mahayagas and also witnessed the proceedings of the Koti Kumkumarchana.
Following this, the Jagadguru went for His pre-Puja Snanam and arrived at the newly readied white-granite temple for Lord Thorana Ganapati. The Jagadguru then performed a special Puja offering Abhisheka and Archana to the Lord and the new Ganapati Yantra made in silver. After performing Mahamangalarati, the Jagadguru performed the Ganapati Yantra Pratishta to the right of the Torana Ganapati shrine. To the left, the Jagadguru reverentially placed the Padukas of Jagadguru Vriddha Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, who recognized the power of the carving of Ganapati on the door frame during His time and consecrated the carving as a deity worthy of worship. Devotees who always deem it a great blessing to first have Darshan of the all-bestowing Torana Ganapati were thrilled to see the Jagadguru re-consecrating the Lord in His rightful place. It may be noted that for the past couple of years, the Lord had a small temporary shrine in the Adi Shankaracharya temple complex. The Jagadguru then performed the Kumbhabhisheka atop the Vimana of the Torana Ganapati temple.
The Jagadguru then proceeded towards the majestic Rajagopuram and the doors were ceremonially opened as per Shastraic injunctions. With the Ritwiks related to the Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies atop the Rajagopuram, the Jagadguru was lifted to the top of the 127 foot Rajagopuram. The Jagadguru then offered a Puja to all the nine 7-foot tall Kalashas atop the Rajagopuram. The Jagadguru then performed the Mahamangalarati watched by tens of thousands of devotees on either side of the Rajagopuram. The Jagadguru then prayed for Lord Kumbheshwara to reside in the Kalashas for all time and bless everyone. The entire event took place in such grandeur befitting the occasion.
Guruvandanam function in the evening
In the evening program, Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji graced the public function at the special dais. The event began with Veda Ghosha and a prayer song rendered devotionally on the Jagadguru. CEO & Administrator, Sri V R Gowrishankar offered his Pranams to the Jagadguru and welcomed the gathering. Sri Ramanujam, Postmaster General, India Post, Government of India spoke about the significance of the Peetham established by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. He added that it was a great blessing to be able to offer a Firstday Cover and Stamp. The Jagadguru released the same. The Jagadguru then bestowed the title “Shilparatnam” on Asthana Vidwan Sri Shankara Sthapati for all his services in the construction of the Rajagopuram from the day of laying the foundation stone to the Kumbhabhisheka day. Sri Shankara Sthapati earlier spoke about how the Jagadguru’s blessings had enabled the smooth completion of the Rajagopuram over the final two months.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that everyone seeking Jnana prays to Goddess Sharada, consecrated by Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada during the establishment of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham. The attainment of Jnana has paramount importance for every human, because Jnana is supreme. The Jagadguru said that it was fitting that a Rajagopuram (king of gopurams) be built for devotees coming to offer worship to Goddess Sharada. When one come nears the Rajagopuram, one would naturally feel that one is so insignificant before the all-powerful divinity. The Jagadguru also mentioned that all the previous Acharyas of the Peetham were all-knowing and completely worthy of having this Rajagopuram erected. However, it was their graciousness that the Rajagopuram was constructed during His time. The Jagadguru said that only those efforts that are oriented towards Paropakara and not the satisfaction of one’s own desire can be termed purposeful.
The Jagadguru commended the Gurusevadhurina Dr. V R Gowrishankar for his administrative abilities and for his relentless service in managing the construction of the historic Rajagopuram by a blessing that was read out and given on a Rajata Patram (silver plaque) and a Gold chain with a locket engraved with a 9 stage Gopuram and Sri Sharadamba.
The Jagadguru highlighted that on such a historic occasion, it was fitting to conduct the Laksha Modaka Ganapati Homa, Ati Rudra Mahayaga, Koti Kumkumarchana and Sahasrachandika Mahayaga for the welfare of humanity, and ended His Anugraha Bhashanam blessing one and all.
Day 10 Announcement
- Poornahuti of Sahasra Chandika Mahayaga in the divine prescence of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji
- Rudra parayana in the Morning and Rudrakrama Archana in the evening
- Chaturveda Parayanam and Vaidika Surya Namaskaram in the morning
- Kotikumkumarchana in front of Goddess Sharadamba Sannidhi
- Evening Cultural programme by Vidwan Sri Kadri Gopalnath & Party.
The event will be telecast on “Sri Shankara TV” 6:00 PM onwards. You can also watch Shankara TV online.