Srisailam: NOVEMBER 11-16, 2012

Ancient Bonds & Kumbhabhisheka

On the evening of November 11, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji arrived at the holy town of Srisailam to a reverential welcome. The Jagadguru was first received by the authorities and Archakas of the Sri Mallikarjunaswamy Temple at the outskirts near the Sakshi Ganapati temple. The Jagadguru had Darshan of Sri Sakshi Ganapati and then proceeded towards the Sri Mallikarjunaswamy temple. Executive Officer of the temple received the Jagadguru with Poornakumbham and the Jagadguru was led in a procession to the Sringeri Shankara Math located just outside the temple premises. After the Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by the Executive Officer, the Swagata Patrikas was read to welcome the Jagadguru to Srisailam on behalf of the temple authorities and the Brahamana Sangam at Srisailam.

In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that Srisailam is one of the holiest Kshetrams of Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga Kshetrams and blessed by the presence of Mallikarjuna Swamy. Sri Adi Shankaracharya had come to Srisailam and worshipped Sri Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba. Because of this bond between the great Acharya and Srisailam, the Peethadhipatis of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri have always come to Srisailam as part of their Vijaya Yatras. The Jagadguru remembered that His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji had come to Srisailam in the late 1950s and offered worship to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba. With His blessings, the Sringeri Shankara Math at Srisailam was also established. The Vigraha of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada was consecrated by His Guru in December 1967 (Margashira Maasa, Plavanga Samvatsara). The Jagadguru also mentioned that the development of Srisailam and the increasing numbers of Bhaktas for Darshan in recent times led to the decision to renovate the Sringeri Shankara Math in Srisailam. The new Math has been constructed and the Jagadguru attributed it to the complete blessings of His Guru. The Jagadguru announced that the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of the Math’s new temple will be held on 16th November, Karthika Shuddha Triteeya Shukravara. The Jagadguru also praised Sri Polisetty Hariprasad Rao and Sri Shyamsundar for their efforts in the reconstruction activities.

The Jagadguru highlighted the strong connections between Srisailam and the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri. The Jagadguru recalled that the authorities of the Srisailam Devasthanam have always welcomed the Sringeri Jagadgurus with great reverence. The Jagadguru said that while He would usually stay for a day or two at Srisailam, this time, He had decided to stay for six days. The Jagadguru also reminisced in the devotion that the Brahmana Sangam at Srisailam has always shown towards the Acharyas of Sringeri.

Visit to Sri Mallikarjunaswamy Temple

On 12th November, the Jagadguru was led in a procession from the Sringeri Shankara Math to the temple of Sri Mallikarjunaswamy and Goddess Bhramaramba. The Executive Officer along with other officials received the Jagadguru at the entrance of the temple with Poorna kumbham. The Jagadguru first worshipped the large idol of Nandi. The idol was adorned with the Silver Kavacham submitted as an offering by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham to the temple. The Jagadguru worshipped Lord Nandikeshwara and then went into the Garbha Griha of the Jyotirlinga, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. The Jagadguru performed an elaborate worship of the Jyotirlinga, offering Abhisheka, Archana and Mahamangalarati. Pandits and devotees chanted Vedic hymns and rendered Stotras by Sri Adi Shankaracharya such as Sri Shivananda Lahari. The Jagadguru then proceeded to the temple of Goddess Bhramaramba and offered worship. On behalf of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, the Jagadguru offered a diamond-studded braid for the Goddess. Subsequently, the Executive Officer and the temple authorities offered Pada Puja to the Jagadguru in the Mandapam inside the temple. The Jagadguru commended the efforts of the temple administration for improving pilgrim amenities, maintaining the sanctity of the temple and blessed the gathering.

Bali Padya, Pathala Ganga and Kumbabhisheka

On 14th November, the Sankalpa for the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of the deities of Goddess Sharada and Sri Adi Shankaracharya took place in the Jagadguru’s presence. As part of Bali Padya, the Jagadguru offered Go Puja. On 15th November, the Jagadguru visited Pathala Ganga, had His afternoon Snanam in the Krishna river and performed Anhikam on its banks. On 16th November, the Jagadguru performed the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of Goddess Sharada and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The following day, the Jagadguru started from Srisailam towards Orvakallu.