THE LONG ROUTE TO SABARIMALAI

Our nation is a land of many temples--big and small, ancient and new, prosperous and penurious, well-maintained and neglected. A temple is a place of worship with some unique features and spiritual significance.

One such temple is SABARIMALAI. The temple is designed to indicate to the devotees, the path that man has to follow to evolve him spiritually, so as to reach the ultimate goal of self-realisation. The location of this temple, its plan of construction and elevation all these have specific significance. Sabarimalai is located on top of a hill, confined to a height; access to it is not very easy, generally meant to highlight the fact that spiritualism is something that is well above mundane and earthly aspects of life, that one has to go through a fairly difficult and strenuous path to attain that level of spirituality.

Reclaiming Kerala from the sea, sage Parasurama installed Devi in shrines along the west coast and Sastha in 18 shrines on the hills on the east for protection of this “God’s own land”. The statuette was installed in Sabarimalai by sage Parasurama. Rishi Agasthya directed the construction of this shrine and the conduct of poojas there. Lord Dharmasastha has said that the sanctity of the Sabari hills would be same as Varanasi and the near by holy Pamba river would equal mother Ganges in sanctity. KUMBALAM THODU is a small stream near the Sabari hill through which courses the water offered for abhishekam to Dharmasastha at Kantha malai. A dip in the water of Pamba and Kumbalam Thodu is believed to purify one of all sins.

To go through the long route to Sabarimalai, one has to reach ERUMELI which is about 26 miles from Kottayam. The majority of pilgrims going to Sabarimalai touch Erumeli before proceeding to the destination. At KOTTAPPADI (gateway) there is a Mahaganapathy temple. To the west of it is installed Vavar--Sastha’s lieutenant, on the western side of the stream coursing through Erumeli. Sastha is installed as a KIRADHA (hunter). Most of the pilgrims going to Sabarimalai go to Erumeli where they obtain the permission of Ganapathy at Kottappadi to trek their track, pay their respects to Vavar, and make offerings at the mosque and surrender themselves at the feet of Kiradha Sastha. The pilgrims come out dressed as a hunter applying coloured powders on the body, carrying arrows and dance there. This is called Pettai Thullal.

The distance from Erumeli to Sabarimalai is said to be 41 miles. Sabarimalai is on the Western Ghats 4000 ft above sea level. Four miles to the south-east of Sabarimalai is the confluence of the rivers Kallar and Pamba. This place is called “Triveni” as Kallar is regarded as Yamuna, Pamba as Ganges and Saraswathi is believed to join the flow from underneath, even as at Prayag in Allahabad. 

Four miles east of Triveni, is a place on the bank of the river Pamba called CHALAKKAYAM. A good tar road, fit for all vehicular traffic joins Chalakkayam and Triveni. Many people go to Sabarimalai via Chalakkayam. Fourteen miles north-west of Sabarimalai is the Mount estate. Crossing the estate we come to VANDIPERIYAR, which is on the Kottayam-Kumili road. Many pilgrims go to Sabarimalai by this route also. Besides the three routes mentioned above, THALAPARAI route and PATHANAMTHITTA route are also used. The PONNAMBALAMEDU route and the DAM SITE route are seldom used. The forest track from Acchankoil to Sabarimala is not used.

The first mentioned long route from Erumeli to Sabarimala is the traditional route. This was the route by which the Lord, as per the story, went for leopard’s milk for the cure of his foster mother. Through this route when Lord went he was met by the bhoothaganams which turned into leopards. Indira turned into a tiger for Lord to ride on his back to PANDALAM. This was the route by which king Rajashekara went to the spot pointed out to him by the Lord’s arrow for construction of the shrine.

  

The pilgrims trekking the long route have to cross seven streams, and climb 18 hills in the course of covering the distance. The first stream they have to cross is PERAITHODU two miles east of Erumeli through a bridge that has been thrown across.  On the western side of the stream there is an old elephant cage called ANAKOTTIL. Many pilgrims stay one night at Anakottil before proceeding further. The first hill the pilgrims have to climb is the PERAIKUNNU--going up 800 ft and climb down 500 ft on the other side to reach the foot of the hill. As we see here, in all the eighteen hills the ascent is more than the descent on the opposite side. Thus each hill represents a step. Each hill top is called a “fort”. Each fort is guarded by an “Amnaya Devata” of the Lord and is fit for the pilgrims’ camping during night halt en route.

The pilgrims trekking the route are said to be in the safe custody of Devi and Bhoothanatha. From Erumeli to top of the Azhutha hill, Devi is said to be safe guarding the pilgrims. From there to the top of Karimalai, Bhoothanatha is said to be safe guarding the pilgrims. From there to Pamba, Devi is again said to take charge. And from Pamba to Sabarimalai, Bhoothanatha is said to take charge again.

A trek of the long route helps to cure diseases like rheumatism, phlegm and piles. From Peraithodu to Azhutha hills, all the flora on either side make the atmosphere charged with medicine. As you breathe more than usual when you climb, the medicine-charged air enters your lungs, which cures. So it will be good, if you spend one night in this atmosphere. A 12-mile walk from Erumeli to Azhutha, and a dip in the Azhutha River which flows a long distance over a bed of karim-kurinji will relieve you of all aches and pains. From Azhutha hills to Karimalai all flora consisting of gooseberries etc are curatives of phlegm troubles. A night stay in this atmosphere is also desirable. From Karimalai to Sabarimalai, all floras consisting of rudraksham, badraksham, akil, sandal etc are curatives of pile troubles. Water you get here flows over beds of iron. In this medicated atmosphere the pilgrims stay at Pamba and Sabarimalai.

After crossing Peraikunnu, you come to a place called ARIYAKUDI. Eight miles away from Peraithodu is Kalaketti ashram. Two miles from it is the Alasa River now called AZHUTHA. As the story has it, the Lord went to devaloka in the month of Meenam (Panguni), caught the demoness Mahishi by her horns and threw her down. She was said to have fallen on the eastern side of the river. To witness this Mahishi Mardhanam, Lord Shiva along with Parvathi came riding on the bull and tethered it to a tree here. Thus the name Kala Ketti came into use. Pilgrims who have haunts of evil spirits offer coconut and camphor here for their relief. The pilgrims have a dip in this river. Many pilgrims have a night halt on either side of the river.

While immersing in the water of Azhutha, each one is asked to take a small pebble and keep it with them. Fording cross the river, the pilgrim starts climbing the Azhutha Medu. At the corner of the left curve, is a big flat rock that is said to be the kallidunkunnu. The pilgrims are asked to deposit the pebble they picked up from the river in this kunnu. It is believed that they are putting them to inter (bury) the body of Mahishi. Climbing up the Azhutha Medu, the pilgrims reach the place called Udumparakotta where Bhoothanatha is the presiding deity. Moving further, the pilgrim reaches the southern end of the plateau called Injiparakotta where the presiding deity is Devi.  The pilgrim descends from the hill to reach Mukkuzhi. Many pilgrims have a night halt here.

There is another route though a little longer from Azhutha to Mukkuzhi on the northern side. The pilgrims going by this route can avoid climbing up and down the Azhutha Medu, though they have to walk a little longer. From Mukkuzhi, they come to Elavanthavalam, where they can have a halt and then go to Pudhucheri and Karivalanthodu. Leaving Karivalanthodu, the pilgrims proceed to the foot of Karimalai. Ascending Karimalai the pilgrims camp on its top. Here there is a perennial spring believed to be the result of the thrust of Lord’s arrow into the ground to find water for his followers. At the foot of Karimalai on the other side, is the sacred river Pamba. The pilgrims halt in Chiriyanavattam or Veliyanavattam. Pilgrims have a halt for a day or two. They take dip in the river Pamba, absolve themselves of all sins, and do poojas and bhajans there. They also do religious rites to the departed souls of their ancestors. They do annadhanam and give away clothes and money.

The pilgrims have a darshan of Pamba Ganapathy. Then they proceed to the Sabari hills with vibhuthi, sandal paste and kumkum on their forehead. At every stage of trek, the rear half of the pilgrim’s irumudi gets smaller and smaller. By the time he reaches the Sabari hills, the rear half completely empties--symbolizing that his prarabdha karmas are over.

Leaving Pamba, the pilgrim climbs up the Neeli Malai, climbs Appachi Medu, walks past Sabari Peetam, crosses Saranguthi where the Lord Bhoothanatha’s arrow struck a pipal tree to show king Rajashekara the spot for his shrine, and reaches THE SANNIDHANAM. He climbs the holy 18 steps, gets over the 18 thatvas and reaches his destination--the Lord’s abode. At the entrance, the pilgrim sees a homakundam in which camphor is burnt in quintals. Pilgrims put camphor in the kundam prays that as camphor burns and merges in Brahmam leaving no residue, nothing of his prarabdham should be left over.

The ghee-filled coconut is broke open, the ghee taken out and offered for abhishekam. This abhishekam symbolizes the merge of the Jeevathma in the Paramathma, which is indicated by the Lord’s “chinmudra” on His right hand. The pointing finger is the Jeevathma and the thumb is the Paramathma. The broken coconut is then put in the Ganapathi kundam and burnt. Then the pilgrim makes all other offerings to the Lord, his Sakthi Manjamatha and to all his lieutenants. On reaching home, the pilgrim unties the irumudi which contains only the prasadam and distributes it to all.

Thus, the pilgrimage to Sabarimala is the external expression of the internal process.

Throughout the route, pilgrims are provided facilities like boiled and spiced water, medical aids and other necessary help by the AKHILA BHARATHA AYYAPPA SEVA SANGAM and also the DEVASVOM BOARD. These services are to be hailed. All pilgrims are requested to keep the surroundings of the Sannidhanam and the route to it, clean and green for their own well-being and the well-being of the fellow pilgrims.

Courtesy: Sastha Mahathmiyam

SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA

PILGRIMAGE TO SRINGERI--contd

                                                                                              

Each visit to Sringeri has been memorable and enjoyable. With the continuation of my trip to Sringeri, I wanted to share with you all some information about the matham and HH Jagadguru. With this small effort if I can inspire even one of you to go to Sringeri, I would be consider myself blessed.

There is a version in Guru Geetha, that guru alone is the entire universe. Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and shiva combined together in one form. There is nothing greater than guru. So let us completely surrender ourselves in his lotus feet to achieve high level of devotion. God will take care of us if we have pure devotion and belief on guru.

The idol of Sri Sarada Devi which is worshipped in the temple was originally made of sandalwood. Sri Sri Vidyaranya, the 12^th Acharya renovated this temple in 14^th century and installed the present image of Sarada Devi in gold. The tiled roof existed till 1907, when the 33^rd Acharya Sri Sri Sachidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Baharathi Swamigal decided to have a more substantial building erected in that place. The work he began was finished by his successor HH Sri Chandrasekara Bharathi(IV) Swamigal who performed the kumbabhishekam in 1916. The main hall of this temple has twelve pillars on which are marked the two signs of Zodiac. The rays of the sun fall on them in the order of solar month, i.e. only on the particular pillar on each month of the year.

The matham compound is studded with large number of other temples.  Adi Sankara temple is located in the quadrangle of the old matham building. The smaller temples are mostly the samadhis of the previous acharyas in which lingas have been installed and being worshipped.

We see a newly built suspension bridge to cross the Tunga River and we reach Narasimha Vana--now a habitable garden of the abode of the Acharya. It is here the present HH Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha maha swamigal gives darshan to the devotees and perform pooja of Sri Chandramouleeshwara with the Vedic chanting of pundits. The Adishtanams of the previous Acharyas Sri Sri Sachidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi and Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal are also situated here.

When Adi Sankara established his mutt at Sringeri, he first built four guardian temples on the surrounding hillocks which were to protect the village from danger, destruction and forces of evil. On the east he built a temple for Kalabhairava, on the west for Anjaneya, on the south for Durga and on the north for Kali. Poojas are still continued in those temples.

There are two cars (rathams)—one silver and one gold in which divine mother Sharadambal is taken procession on every Friday night round the temple accompanied by Vedic chanting and instrumental music as per traditional customs.

Navarathri is the most important festival in Sringeri. Special poojas and archanas are offered to Sri Sharadambal in the temple for nine days. A ceremonial procession takes place everyday. HH performs sahasranama pooja to devi everyday and sits in the durbar in the traditional king’s attire following the tradition started by Sri Vidyaranyar. Apart from this, festivals like Sri Sankara Jayanthi, Vardanthi day, Varalaksmi vritam, karthika somavara vritam, Krishna janmashtami, rama navami and so many are celebrated in Sringeri.

With the blessings of HH Mahaswamiji, the MAHAKUMBHABHISHEKAM of the newly built Sharadamba shrine was conducted in Toronto, Canada on June 20, 2010. About 5000 devotees not only from Canada but also from the USA, India and Singapore gathered there to witness the occasion.

Sringeri attracts devotees all through the year from all corners of the globe. Its favourable climate, the enchanting greenery, the cool waters of Tunga, the facilities for boarding and lodging, the annadanam on all 365 days in the matham and above all the grace of HH Jagadguru are the reasons for this.

There is a temple dedicated to Rishyasringa and Santa at Kigga, around 9 kms from Sringeri. The Sivalinga consecrated in the sanctum has a horn on the head, depicting Rishyasringa Rishi.

In the midst of Western Ghats, surrounded by greenery Goddess Annapoorneshwari makes Horanadu her home. The name of the goddess means “Feeding one & all”, like the ever giving & loving mother. The specialty of this temple is that everybody who visit this shrine are provided with food & place to sleep or rest.

Eight km from Horanadu, surrounded by Bhadra River on three sides, holy place Kalasa has the shape of a pot. On the fourth side we have at the base of a hill the great Kalasheshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Sringeri Mutt can be contacted at the following address:

The Administrator,
Sringeri Mutt and its Properties,
Sringeri, Chickmagalur District,
Karnataka, PIN - 577139.

Phone Numbers: 08265-250123/08265-250594/08265-250192

The Sringeri Sharada Peetam has had a continuing line of succession of Acharyas. They have been men of great erudition, spiritual attainment and compassion. Each one of them has added to the luster of the Peetham.

Each one of us, just like we take time to pray amidst all our routine, should make a pilgrimage to Sringeri at least once in a while to get the blessings of our Jagadguru.

PILGRIMAGE TO SRINGERI

Pilgrimage to any place is purposeful and successful only if the pilgrim goes to that place with full faith and devotion.

This year as we planned to go to Sringeri, we decided to go to certain new places of devotional interest. Though adventure was not our main motive, lord god guided us to do all these and we did it.

We got down at a place called Kundapura which is 36km away from Udipi, Karnataka. First we visited a temple called SANKARANARAYANA which is about 32km from Kundapura. It is traditionally called “Kroda Kshetra” as mentioned in “Skanda Purana”. We can find two lingas under water which they say are swayambhoo—depicting Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva inside the sanctum sanctorum. But they have kept two silver clad idols of both these lingas for the darshan of the pilgrims. The priest there showed us the mirror reflection of both the lingas which are underwater.

KAMALASHILE is the place situated 35km from Kundapura on the banks of the river Kubja. The deity there is Brahmi Durgaparameshwari in the form of a linga. It is said to be the convergence of goddess Maha Kali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswathi. Surrounded by mountains and evergreen forests, this temple is very calm and quiet. Free food is offered to all the pilgrims who come there.

Just a few minutes’ walk from this temple is ADISTALA GUHALAYA—a place worth visiting. As the name suggests it is a cave. We had to walk almost 100 ft inside the cave downwards—not so steep, but slippery. One person by the name Ragavendra led us inside the cave with torch lights as there is no electricity inside. After walking for some time, we had the darshan of Lord Shiva and small lingas depicting Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The only sound we could hear apart from our voice is the sound of the water coming out of a spring. It is said that this water flows up to river Ganges. We drank this holy water and sprinkled it on ourselves.  Mr. Ragavendra can be contacted on 09880386458.

Nature has gifted us with another place called GUHANTHARA TEMPLE about 15km from Kamalashile. Though a very interesting place, the journey was very tedious. This place is situated on Western Ghats. So we can travel only by jeep or motorbike. We took a jeep and went there to have darshan of Lord Kesavanatheswara. This place is called Moodgallu. The priest of this temple is Shri. Ragavendra (09164730511) and he took us inside the cave temple. The specialty of this cave temple is that we have to stand in knee-level water to offer prayers. We were astonished to see fishes swimming near the feet of lord, as though they are conveying the message of God that we would be freed from all worries once we offer prayers here. The linga can be seen on a platform approximately at a distance of 75 ft from the entrance. No illumination except the lamp lit for GOD. In the evening it is said that the golden rays of sun falls on the Shiva linga reflected by the water which gives pleasure to the believers as though the sun is offering his prayers before bidding farewell after his duties for the day.

Next day early morning we left Kundapura for Sringeri, visiting so many pilgrimage centres on the way.

The first place we went was ANAGUDDE where we had good darshan of lord Vinayaka. It is located 5km from Kundapura. This temple is the oldest and the most popular in this region. This Ganesh temple is situated on a small hillock.

The next is the GUDDATTU VINAYAKA TEMPLE situated 15 km from Kundapura which dates back to more than 1700 years. The natural rock formation similar to Ganesh idol is inside a small cave and the natural formation of the cave is such that 3000 koda of water collects naturally and submerges the Ganesh idol. It is said that the 3ft idol of the lord emerged by itself. The black and grey structure is in the sitting position, his trunk towards the right, eyes and legs clearly visible. The idol can be seen through a hole.

The next place we visited is the SRI SIDDIVINAYAKA TEMPLE; HATTIANGADI situated 14km from Kundapura. The idol of Sri Siddivinayaka is 2.5 ft high and is carved of a Saligrama stone. 

Then we visited NAGACHALA AYYAPPA a well maintained temple dedicated to lord Ayyappa in Kumbhashi, in Kundapura Taluk. Here there are 18 holy steps which is closed on other days but opened to devotees during Mandala and Makara Jyothi time. Those who carry Irumudi can only climb these 18 steps.  Otherwise on normal days anybody can go and worship through the other way as the 18 steps would be kept closed.

Then we went to SHREE SKHETRAM SAKATAPURAM. Adi Sankaracharya established Jyothishapeeta in the Badarikashrama of north India. His disciple Shri Thotakacharya was made the prime preceptor.  In the year 1330 when Shri Sathyatheertha Mahamuni took over as the preceptor of this Jyothishapeeta, he travelled southwards and reached the banks of the river Tunga in Karnataka. While having dip in the river his “holy dhandam” got stuck in between the rocks inside the river. When he tried to pull it out from the river, along with the dhandam came out the idol of Shri Santanavenugopala. Swamiji established a Srimadam in the place where he got the idol on the bank of this river Tunga. It is about 28 km from Sringeri. Maharishi Vamadeva along with his wife did Surya Yaga here in this place. As a result, they were blessed with a son and they named him Sumedharunan. When Sumedharunan grew up, he did penance seeking the blessings of Lord Brahma. Lord appeared and as a boon Sumedharunan asked that this place should strive for the welfare of mankind. God gave the boon and along with that gave a small cart fitted with wheels to him. People started calling him Sakatamaharishi, and thus the name Shrikshetra Sakatapuram came into being.

The 32^nd Peetathipathi of this madam was Shri Ramachandranandha Theertha Sripadar. He was a scholar and man of extreme knowledge and he strived for the propagation of Sanathana Dharma. He has installed a madam in East Tambaram, Chennai. The present pontiff and the 33^rd Peetathipathi is Shri Vidhyabhinava Srikrishnananda Theertha Swamiji. He has mastered the highly esoteric ShriVidhyopasana with all its aspects after Rahoyaaga. He has won respect and regard as a staunch “ShriVidhyopasaka—ShriVidhyaTaponidhi. Devotees accept him as ShriVidhya personified. For the devotees who have not this Swamiji, his photograph is given above.

The Srimadam is undergoing expansion and renovation under the guidance of its guru. Rathotsava on akshaya thrithiya day, Sankara jayanthi and navarathri are some of the important festivals of Shrikshetra Shakatapuram. Here facilities are available for boarding and lodging for the pilgrims. We invoked the blessings of lord SanthanaVenugopalakrishna, whose beauty is still in front of our eyes. Also there are shrines for Lord Lakshminrusimhar, and Shrividhya Rajarajeshwari.

All devotees are requested to visit Shri VidyaPeetam, Sakatapuram and get the blessings of Shri Jagadguru Badari Shankaracharya, Shri Krishnananda Teertha Mahaswamigal and also Shri Rajarajeshwari, Shri lakshmiNrusimha and Shri Santana Venugopalakrishna.

Contended with the darshan we proceeded to Sringeri to do Bhikshavandhanam to the Jagadguru.  

Sringeri is a small town on the banks of river Tungabhadra. Discovered by Sri Adi Sankaracharya as a place where even natural animosity did not exist as he saw a frog in labour being protected from the scorching rays of the sun by the raised hood of a cobra. He installed in that place the goddess of learning—Shri Sharada. Sringeri is the modern rendering of Sringa giri or the mountain of Rishya Sringa, a great rishi whose tomb is still preserved.

Shri Sankaracharya established a mutt for the propagation of Advaitha philosophy and his first disciple Shri Sureshwaracharya was made the head of Shri Dakshinamnaya Shri Sharada Peetam at Sringeri. This has become the famous centre of learning, philosophy and spirituality. There has been an unbroken succession of Jagadgurus adorning this throne of transcendental wisdom and the ruling pontiff His Holiness Jagadguru Bharathi Thirtha Mahaswamiji is the 36^th Guru who is adorning the throne since 1989. Since the days of Adi Sankaracharya, the acharyas have used for daily worship a spatika linga of Lord Chandramouleeshwara and a murthi of Ratnagarba ganapathi carved out of a small block of crystal with a ruby in the middle. It is awe-inspiring to see the acharya worshipping the linga and murthi with great care and devotion.

Who is a Guru? He is indeed Shiva. It is Shiva who has taken the form of guru. The disciple should perceive absolutely no difference between the Guru and the God. Obedience of the sishya does not merely mean the traditional namaskaram. It refers to the complete surrender of body, mind and speech. Let us surrender our ego completely at our guru’s feet and plead him to show us the right way. May the guru bless us such that we do not stray away from the path of dharma in this terrible kaliyuga.

 The name “Sankara” means one who does good things. Shiva has incarnated as “Adisankara”. Adisankara at his young age travelled all over the length and breadth of this vast subcontinent four times and established four principal monasteries at four cardinal points of India and appointed four chief disciples as pontiff of these mutts to promote the spiritual well being of monks and also assigned one Veda to each mutt. Rig Veda went to “Govardhan Mutt” at Puri. Yajurveda to Sringeri Mutt, Samaveda to Sharada mutt at Dwaraka and Atharvana Veda to Jyothishi mutt at Badrinath. All of us know that Adi Sankara was born at Kalady in Kerala in the year 788 AD and in a short span of 32 years did so much to Hinduism. The birth place of Shri Adisankara was rediscovered by the 33^rd Jagadguru HH Shri. Sachidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharati of Sringeri peetam in the year 1912 and we had the centenary celebrations at the Adisankara Janmabhoomi—Kalady in May this year in the auspices of the 36^th guru His Holiness Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji.

His Holiness is known for his great spiritual eminence and unmatched scholarliness in the Vedas and sastras. He is an ocean of compassion and we are left with no words to explain the experience of joy—the ecstasy in his presence. Interactions with him have benefitted thousands of devotees. His deeds become beacon lights that guide devotees on the righteous path. The words of His Holiness never fail to help the devotee tide over his troubles.

What is Chaturmasya Vrata? The term Chaturmasya means four months. The term Chaturmasya Vrata is a vrata to be observed for a period of four months. But according to the Vedic dictum one ‘paksha’ or a fortnight is taken as one month, and traditionally the Vrata is observed only for two months. During the rainy season, Sannyasins observe Chaturmasya and stay at one place to meditate on the Absolute Reality and instruct their disciples in the spiritual lore. Before observing the Chaturmasya Sankalpa, they perform Vyasa Puja and pay homage to Dakshinamurti, Sadasiva, to the great seers of the parampara and to the preceptors. 

It is said that Sannyasins must be moving from place to place, to avoid getting entangled with the dealings and habits of the people of the village or town. But during the rainy season, they must halt at one place for a period of four months and observe the Chaturmasya Vrata. If, during the rainy season, the Sannyasins move from one place to another, they may cause injury to many insects and worms that breed and move about on the ground during the season. But as the Sannyasins have taken the vow of non-injury to all creatures (Ahimsa and Abhaya), they should refrain from causing harm to any living being. Moreover, constant travel will also come in the way of Sannyasins having any time for continued profound meditation. So, they halt at one place once in a year for four months and engage themselves in the meditation of the Supreme Brahman.

As thousands of devotees throng Sringeri every year to have darshan of His Holiness, many arrangements have been made for the boarding and lodging of the devotees. The matt provides food and accommodation for all.

While I was in Chennai, we started an organization called the Sarada samithi, Villivakkam in the year 1996 to offer our Bhikshavandanam every year to Sringeri guru. With the help of 135 members we have been doing this for the past 14 years. This being the 15^th year, we performed Bhikshavandanam on the 5^th of September in a grand scale.

We wish that all the devotees visit Sringeri, have darshan and invoke the blessings of Jagadguru!!