Sringeri: APRIL 5, 2013
Conclusion of the Vijaya Yatra
Goal: Preserve & Renew Sanatana Dharma
405 DAYS TRAVELLED
400 CITIES & TOWNS
COVERED 13,000 KMS
TOUCHING 50 MILLION PEOPLE
32 CONSECRATIONS
560 PUJAS
400 DISCOURSES
20 VEDIC SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED
100’s OF DHARMIC INITIATIVES & CENTRES INAUGURATED
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji started from Hosagunda at 3 pm on the afternoon of 5th April 2013. Travelling towards Sringeri, the Jagadguru was accorded reverential welcomes at various towns along the route. The residents of Konanduru, Tirthahalli, Gadikal, Koppa, Hariharapura, Soorly, Addagadde, Kavadi, Anegunda, offered Phala-Pushpam to the Jagadguru.
Even as the Jagadguru and His entourage touched the outskirts of Sringeri, thousands of devotees were ready to receive the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru first reached the temple of Goddess Kalikamba, the guardian-deity installed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the north. The Jagadguru was welcomed with Poornakumbha by the CEO & Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar. The Jagadguru had Darshan of Goddess Kalikamba and then went to the Welcome Gate where a venerating reception was offered. Smiles of joy coupled with tears of joy and fulfillment spread over the faces of the residents of Sringeri and the devotees visiting from various parts of the country. The Jagadguru then ascended the Ratha colourfully designed by the welcoming devotees. A grand welcome procession took place comprising of elephants, horses, umbrellas bearing royal insignia, as well as tableaus highlighting the hoary history of Sringeri and the life of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The atmosphere was charged with Vedic chants and Bhajans. Pandits from Maharashtra in their traditional attire added a colorful touch to the picturesque scene, and it was evident that Maharashtra too had felt the spiritual vibrations of the Jagadguru’s Vijaya Yatra in South India.
With the procession ending at the main entrance of the Peetham, the Jagadguru first proceeded to Goddess Sharada temple, had Darshan and then arrived at the Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam to grace the programme commemorating the completion of the Vijaya Yatra. The Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar said that the glory of the Vijaya Yatra could be gauged from the splendid welcome that the people of Sringeri had just accorded. He recounted memorable incidents from the Vijaya Yatra to a packed audience of devotees. Devotees from all the States offered their reverential Pranams by doing Phala Samarpanam. Karnataka Minister, Sri Jeevaraj expressed joy at the return of the Jagadguru to Sringeri. Sri V R Gowrishankar expressed that the most fulfilling aspect for the devotees during the Vijaya Yatra is the procurement of the land where the Jagadguru had taken birth in Machilipatnam.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru attributed the glory of the Vijaya Yatra and the Peetham in the present-day to the unbounded compassion and Anugraha of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal. The Jagadguru remembered the Vedanta Anugraha Bhashanams given during the Chaturmasya at Chennai and how the Goddess had blessed that such intricate subjects as dealt with in Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, be explained through Him in simple language for common (versus scholars) people. The Jagadguru had special blessings for the Math’s staff in Sringeri who had worked relentlessly to ensure the daily activities of the Peetham went on smoothly during the Vijaya Yatra. The Jagadguru then crossed over to Narasimha Vanam and offered Pranams at the Adhishtanams of His Parameshti Guru, Paramaguru and finally that of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji.
