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The idol of Sri Sarada Devi which is worshipped in the temple was originally made of sandalwood.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.