Girija Kalyana Mahotsava was celebrated in a grand manner in the hillock temple of Sri Bhavani Malahanikareshwara on Vaishakha Shuddha Dvadashi (Friday, May 9, 2025).
The Mahotsava commenced with Vara Puja the previous day (Ekadashi). On the morning of the Dvadashi, special Puja to the deities and Navagraha Homa was performed. At 5 pm, the Kashi Yatra ceremony took place in the Pravachana Mandiram near the Sharadamba temple. Mangalarati was performed in the divine presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam in the Pravachana Mandiram.
At 8 pm, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam arrived at the Malahanikareshwara temple, following which Mahamangalarati was performed to Sri Ganapati, Sri Malahanikareshwara and Sri Bhavani Amba. Thereafter the Jagadguru adorned the Kalyana Mandapa wherein were placed the exquisitely decorated Vigrahas of Sri Bhavani and Sri Malahanikareshwara. The Girija Kalyanotsava began after Phala Samarpanam to Sri Sannidhanam.
The elaborate Girija Kalyana procedure including Kanyaavarana, Devata-Ahvaana, Mangalaashtaka Pathana, Mahasankalpa, Madhuparka Puja, Kanya Daana, Mangalya Dharana, Akshataaropana, Saptapadi, Vivaha Pradhaana Homa, Laaja Homa, Mahapuja, Mahamangalarati, Rajopachara Puja and Ashtavadhana Seva was then conducted in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam and witnessed by many devotees.
Scholars of the Sringeri Math participated in the Utsava and chanted Veda Mantras and verses pertaining to the Kalyanotsava. Gauri Girisha Stava penned by the 33rd Acharya of Sringeri, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji was also chanted.
The events and puja at the Sannidhis of Sri Malahanikareshwara & Sri Bhavani (Utsava Murtis) were performed respectively by the Pradhaana Archaka of Sri Malahanikareshwara & the Purohit of the Sringeri Math. Devotees joyfully beheld the entire Mahotsava conducted in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam.
Instagram: Sri Girija Kalyanotsava for Loka Kalyana
