The Sharada Sharan Navaratri Celebrations of the Vishwavasu Samvatsara commenced at Sringeri on the Mahalaya Amavasya day (September 21, 2025). Mahabhisheka was performed to Goddess Sharada in the presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam amidst chants of Saraswati Sukta, Devi Sukta, and Ratri Sukta from the Rig Veda and Saraswati Sukta, Medha Sukta, Sri Sukta and Durga Sukta from the Yajur Veda. After the Mahabhisheka, Goddess Sharadamba gave Darshan as Jagat Prasutika signifying her role as the Divine Mother of the Universe. Mahamangalarati was performed in the presence of Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam.
On the morning of September 22, 2025, the first day of Navaratri (Ashwayuja Shukla Pratipat), Sri Mahasannidhanam performed Sharada Pratishtha and offered a special Puja. The Puja took place near the Sannidhi of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Mahasannidhanam then went to the temple of Goddess Sharadamba and offered elaborate worship to the Goddess who was sporting the Hamsa Vahana Alankara (Brahmi). Sri Sannidhanam crossed the river Tunga and performed Ganga Puja on the northern banks. Sri Sannidhanam then had Darshan at all the temples in the premises of the Math. Sri Sannidhanam then gave Darshan to devotees. After Sri Mahasannidhanam completed His elaborate Puja, Sri Sannidhanam entered the sanctum sanctorum and worshipped Goddess Sharadamba.
On the subsequent days, Sri Sannidhanam performed the Ganga Puja, had Darshan at all the temples, and then offered worship to the Goddess from around 10:45 a.m. to about 12:00 noon, Then Sri Sannidhanam entered the sanctum sanctorum and worshipped Goddess Sharadamba and later distributed Prasada to Navaratri Sevakartas and then gave Darshan to devotees. Sri Mahasannidhanam then arrived at the Goddess Sharadamba temple and offered worship until about 2:15 p.m. Sri Sannidhanam also granted Darshan in the evenings to devotees. During the Navaratri period, Goddess Sharada sported a number of Alankaras such as Hamsavahini (Brahmi), Vrishabhavahini (Maheshwari), Mayuravahini (Kaumari), Garuda Vahini (Vaishnavi), Veena Sharada, Indrani, Mohini, Rajarajeshwari and Simhavahini (Chamunda). On the subsequent days leading up to the Poornima, devotees also beheld the splendour of Goddess Sharadamba in the Alankaras of Gajalakshmi, Kamadhenu, Annapoorna, and Bhuvaneshwari.
As part of the Navaratri festival, Parayana of the four Vedas, the Prasthana-traya Bhashyas of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, as well as texts like Sri Devi Bhagavatam, Sri Devi Mahatmyam, Lalitopakhyanam, Srimad Ramayanam, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Harivamsha Puranam, Sri Vishnu Puranam and Sri Madhaviya Shankara Vijaya took place. While the Parayana of Sri Shaankara Bhashyas took place in the Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple, all the other Parayanas and Japas took place in the Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharati Yagashala located east of the Goddess Sharadamba temple. Suvasini Pujas and Laksharachanas also took place every day.
Utsava Murti
During Navaratri, the Utsava Moorti of Sri Sharadamba was taken in a Utsava every evening along the main street of Sringeri. On the evening of September 22, the first day of Navaratri, the Mangalarati was performed in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam to the Utsava Murti placed on the Ratha.
The Utsava commenced every evening from outside the Sharadamba temple in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam. The Utsava Moorti was also decorated exquisitely in a number of Alankaras. The various forms of the Goddess were also depicted in the Murti of Goddess Sharada worshipped as part of the daily Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru. Members of many Satsangas and Bhajana Mandalis from Sringeri Taluk and other parts of the state participated in the evening Utsava on each day.
During all the days of the Navaratri celebrations at Sringeri, the Dolotsava of Goddess Sharadamba took place. The event consisted of special Puja, Veda Parayanam, chanting of Soundarya Lahari and other Devi Stotras, and Sangeeta Sevas that featured the rendering of the Kamalamba Navavarana Kritis.
On all the days of Navaratri, artistes offered Navaratri seva to the Goddess with their musical performances (Nama Sankirtana) at the Pravachana Mandiram in the precincts of the Math.
On the first day of the Sharan Navaratri, Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam inaugurated the Sharannavaratrotsava Shankara Darshana by lighting a lamp and visited each stall to appreciate the artworks depicting the life of Adi Shankaracharya and the Jagadgurus of Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The beautiful exhibition showcased the devotion and creativity of the devotee-artists. In the evening, Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam also visited Shankara Darshana and blessed the devotees led by Sri Srinivasan and family.
On the Chaturthi day (September 25), the Purnahuti of the Mahaganapati Homa took place in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam.
On the Panchami day (September 26), the Purnahuti of Navachandi Homa at the Kalikamba temple Yagashala took place in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam.
On the Ashtami day (September 30), Vishesha Puja was performed to Sri Vana Durga at the Durgamba Temple, followed by Mangalarati in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam. Subsequently, the Purnahuti of the Navachandi Homa took place in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam.
The Panchami day (September 27) also marked the commencement of the Shata Chandi Yaga which extended for five days. During the Yaga, 10 Ritwiks chanted the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) a hundred times over five days. On Mahanavami (October 1), the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga, conducted for the welfare of all beings, was completed in the presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam. The Gaja Puja and Ashwa Puja were then performed in the presence of Sri Sannidhanam. Aayudha Puja and Vahana Puja were also performed on the same day.
In the evenings, Laksha Kumkuma Archana was performed in the Sharadamba temple premises by the Vidyarthis of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala.
Every evening, Sri Sannidhanam performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the “Sharada Prasada” building, adjacent to “Sri Bharati Tirtha Prasada”, the main Annadana complex of the Math.
Every night after the Chandramoulishwara Puja, Sri Sannidhanam in accordance with the centuries-old tradition, adorned in royal attire conducted the Golden Dindi Utsava of Goddess Sharada in the temple and held the Navaratri Darbar. During the Darbar, Sri Durga Saptashati (Sri Devi Mahatmyam) Parayanam took place followed by Ashtavadhana Seva including Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva Veda Seva, Panchanga Shravana, Vadya seva and Sangeeta Seva. On the night of Moola Nakshatra, when the Goddess was decorated as Veena Sharada, offerings on behalf of the titular Maharajas of various Samsthanams including those of Mysore, Thiruvananthapuram, Gwalior, Indore, Jamakhandi, Sandur, Burdwan, Kashi and Nepal were placed before the Goddess by the Math’s CEO Guru Seva Nirata Sri PA Murali on their behalf.
"Guru Bhakta Mani” Title bestowed
A Srimukham, blessed by Sri Mahasannidhanam and declaring the conferment of the title on senior devotee, Sri Venketrama Raja of Rajapalayam was read during the Darbar.
Sri Venketrama Raja of Rajapalayam was conferred the title “Guru Bhakta Mani” (गुरु-भक्त-मणि) on October 1 (Ashwayuja Shukla Navami) in recognition of his deep devotion to the Sringeri Jagadgurus and his many devout contributions to the dharmic activities of the Sringeri Math. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam then presented the Srimukham to the devotee and blessed him. The eminent devotee was felicitated by Sringeri Math CEO Sri P. A. Murali with a shawl and a garland of pearls.
On Vijayadashami day (October 2), the Poornahuti of Lakshmi Narayana Hridaya Homa was performed in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam. Sri Sannidhanam then had Darshan at the shrines of Goddess Sharadamba, Sri Shakti Ganapati and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Thereafter, the Pattabhisheka Sarga from Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam was read by Sri Sannidhanam at the Pravachana Mandiram and Mahamangalarati to Lord Sri Rama followed. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam then released the Kannada book "Chitta Shuddhige Naitika Maulyagalu" containing moral stories narrated by Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam. The book is a Kannada translation of the English compilation “Moras for Mind Purification”. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam also released "Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam" in Sanskrit and Kannada script published by Saketa Pratisthana of Siddapura. Sri Sannidhanam showered blessings on Sri Sheshagiri Gangadhara Bhat of Siddapura Saketha Pratishtanafor having published the Ramayana books and spoke on the greatness of Srimad Ramayana in His Anugraha Bhashanam. On the occasion, Sringeri Math CEO PA Murali read a citation announcing that with the blessings of the Sringeri Jagadgurus, Sri Dharmasthala DK Suresh (Thavil Vidwan) was declared as the "Asthana Vidwan" on Vijayadashami. Sri Sannidhanam blessed the musician.
On this special occasion, Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam inaugurated the “Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji Mobile Hospital” on Vijayadashami Day for the welfare of the people. The Mobile Hospital has been established to extend healthcare facilities to rural areas, enabling people to benefit from medical services and work towards better health and well-being.
Vijayotsava took place in the evening. The Utsava Murti of Sharadamba was taken in a procession to Kalikamba temple. A Puja was performed to the ‘Shami’ tree present near the temple in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam and Shami leaves were distributed as Prasada to the devotees. Then the Utsava Murti of Goddess Sharadamba was worshipped in the temple and the Utsava returned back.
On Ekadashi (October 3), the Sharadamba Rathotsava and Adda Pallaki Utsava of Sri Sannidhanam took place. A large number of devotees thronged the holy town. Sri Sannidhanam was reverentially carried in the silver Adda pallaki (palanquin) facing the front of the Ratha adorned by Goddess Sharadamba. Durbar was then held where the final chapter of the Durga Saptashati was recited. Mahamangalarati and Ashtavadhana Seva then took place. Tirtha Prasada was distributed to all devotees by Sri Sannidhanam at the Pravachana Mandiram.
The Sharan Navaratri Celebrations ended with Mahabhisheka of the Goddess on Poornima (October 7) followed by Teppotsava taking place in the divine presence of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam in the evening after Sri Sannidhanam performed the Chandramoulishwara Puja.
Sri Sureshwaracharya Jayanti Utsava
Ashwayuja Shukla Ekadashi (the day following Vijayadashami) is the Jayanti day of Jagadguru Sri Sureshwaracharya. The Acharya was the foremost of disciples of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who anointed him as the first Peethadhipati of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri. The Jayanti day also coincides with the Rathotsava and Addapallaki Utsava during Navaratri.
The Jayanti this year was celebrated on October 3, 2025 in an elaborate manner with Shatarudra Abhisheka at the Adhishtanam of Jagadguru Sri Sureshwaracharya. Mahamangalarati took place in the presence of Sri Sannidhanam.
In the evening, a Jayanti Sabha was organised in the Pravachana Mandiram in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam. After Vedaghosha and Prarthana, Shatavadhani Sri Gannavaram Lalithaditya spoke on the Sri Sureshwaracharya’s Manasollasa work written as a Vartika on the Dakshinamurti Stotra of Jagadguru Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam then blessed with an Anugraha Bhashanam. A Srimukha of Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam was read out appointing Veda Brahmashri Vasudeva Jois of Haladi as the Asthana Panchangakarta (Kannada Panchanga) of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam blessed the scholar.
The event ended with Mahamangalarati at the Samadhi of Jagadguru Sri Sureshwaracharya in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam followed by Ashtavadhana Seva.
YouTube links to watch all the videos of Vishwavasu Samvatsara Sharada Sharan Navaratri Celebrations:
Prathama - Sri Sharada Pratishtha - Hamsavahana Alankara | Sri Sharada Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Prathama (Evening) - Hamsavahana Alankara - Brahmi | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Dwitiya - Hamsavahana Alankara (Brahmi) | Sri Sharada Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Navaratri Darbar - Dwitiya (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Tritiya - Vrishabhavahana Alankara (Maheshwari) | Sri Sharada Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Navaratri Darbar - Tritya (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Chaturthi | Navaratri Mayuravahana Alankara (Kaumari)
Navaratri Darbar - Chaturthi (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Panchami | Navaratri Garudavahana Alankara (Vaishnavi)
Navaratri Darbar - Panchami (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharada Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Indrani Alankara | Navaratri
Navaratri Darbar - 27th September | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Shashthi | Navaratri Mohini Alankara
Navaratri Darbar - Shashthi (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Saptami | Veena Sharada Alankara - Saraswati Avahana
Navaratri Darbar - Saptami | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Ashtami | Rajarajeshwari Alankara
Navaratri Darbar - Ashtami (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sringeri Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Navami | Simhavahana (Chamunda)
Navaratri Darbar - Navami (Evening) | Sri Sharadamba Sharannavaratri Mahotsava
Sharannavaratri Mahotsava - Vijaya Dashami | Gajalakshmi Alankara, Rama Pattabhisheka Sarga Parayana
Dashami (Evening) - Vijayotsava, Shami Puja, Sharadamba Golden Chariot Utsava | Sharannavaratri
Sri Sharadamba Maha Rathotsava and Adda Pallaki Utsava | Sri Sharada Sharannavaratri
Anugraha Sandesha of Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam - Jayanti of Jagadguru Sri Sureshwaracharya
