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Chandramoulisvara
Pooja
Sri Chandramoulisvara
is a crystal linga, self-radiant like the moon, representing
Jnana and bliss. It is the principal idol of worship not only
in Sringeri but also in the other three Advaita Peethams-Badri,
Dwaraka and Puri. This sphatika (crystal) linga worshipped by
the Jagadguru(daily at night) is believed to have been worshipped
by Sri Adi Sankara, and since then, His successors down to
the present day have continued to worship the same linga.
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Vyasa
Pooja
Vyasa Maharishi
was one of the Rishis responsible for the propagation of Jnana
Sastra in this world. He is believed to have come in the line
of the Guru Parampara, consisting of Narayana, Brahma, Vasishta,
Sakthi and Suka.
It was he who classified the Vedas into Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva
and hence the name, "Veda Vyasa". Besides, He wrote
the Puranas and the epic Mahabharata. He is considered as the
Avatara of Maha Vishnu. "Vyasaya Vishnu Rupaya Vyasa Rupaya
Vishnave" - thus is Vyasa glorified in the Vishnu Sahasranama.
Vyasa Pooja is performed to pay homage to this Great Rishi. Sri
Adi Shankara wrote the Bashyas (commentaries) using Brahma Sutra
as the nucleus. On account of this, all great saints observe the Vyasa
Pooja (Chaturmasya Pooja) as a mark of their homage to Veda Vyasa,
the great originator of all Veda sastras. According to the Smritis,
Sannyasis should stay at the same place during the rainy season,
the reason being that small insects and worms may be trampled
to death if the sannyasis were to venture out. In order to prevent
this destruction, sannyasis stay at the same place to perform
the Vyasa Pooja during the rainy season. During this period, sannyasis
perform special poojas to their Guru Paramapara.
Even to this day, in the Sringeri Mutt, Chaturmasya is being followed
according to Vedic rules. The Sringeri Jagadguru observes Chaturmasya
at Narsimha Vanam (the Ashram of the Jagadguru) and does not cross
the Holy Tunga River during these two months. On the day of Vyasa
Pooja, the Jagadguru first offers prayers in the morning to Sri
Sharadambal, visits other temples and then performs the Vyasa
Pooja in the presence of His disciples at Narasimhavanam.Further,
while Veda Vyasa is considered as the avatara of Vishnu, and
Sri Adi Sankara is considered as the avatara of Siva the Sringeri
Jagadguru is believed to be an avatar of both Siva and Vishnu.
It is considered to be very auspicious have darshan of the Jagadguru
of Sringeri during the months of Chathurmasya.
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| SHARADA
SHARAN NAVARATRI |
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Sharada
Sharan Navaratri is one of most important festivals when the Supreme,
worshipped as the Universal Mother, is adored in the form of Mahakali,
Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. This festival is celebrated during
September - October every year according to the tradition Hindu
calendar.At Sringeri, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya celebrates the
Sharada Sharan Navaratri Mahotsava of Goddess Sharadamba, the
presiding deity of Sri Sharada Peetham, with all grandeur. Following
the tradition set by sage Sri Vidyaranya in the 14th century,
the celebrations have been a continuing saga of worship to the
Goddess by succeeding Acharyas and devotees.On all the ten days,
the entire town of Sringeri wears a festival look. The Mutt entrance,
courtyard and gopuram of Sri Sharada temple
are brilliantly illuminated. Thousands of devotees from all over
India and abroad come to witness this Festival.
The Devi is beautifully decorated and richly adorned with precious
jewels. The special ornaments used during the festival includes
a gold crown studded with diamonds, pearls and emeralds, necklaces,
breast and waist plates, wristlets, armlets, etc., embedded with
Navarathnas. Most of these gold ornaments are in the possession
of the Mutt for the past several centuries.
From this day, the Goddess is mounted on different Vahanas (Mount)
everyday identifying the same Goddess in different forms, such
as the Brahmi (Hamsa or Swan) Maheshwari
(Bull), Kaumari (Peacock), Vaishnavi (Garuda), Indrani (Elephant),
Chamundi (Lion) and Ashwavahini (Horse). The Goddess is also adored
as Saraswathi (Vina Sharada), Mohini and Rajarajeswari on different
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HIS HOLINESS PROGRAMME
DURING NAVARATRI |
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After His anushtanam in the morning, His Holiness performs the
Ganga Pooja at the holy river Tunga and then visits all the Shrines
in the vicinity of Sharadambal temple. During Mid-Day, He performs
special pooja to Sri Sharadambal at the sanctum sanctorum which
is an exhilarating experience for the devotees to watch. He also
performs Lalita Sahasranama archana, Gaja Pooja and Paduka Pooja.
After the regular Pooja to Sri Chandramouliswara in the night,
the Jagadguru goes to Sri Sharadambal temple, wearing a colourful
durbar dress and an impressive gold crown, and sits in royal splendour
facing Sri Sharadamba.
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Conceived in Moghul
style, this heavy crown, studded with precious stones together
with an ornamental chain in the rear, was presented by one of
the Nizams of Hyderabad as a token of his reverence to the then
Jagadguru.
Among the precious ornaments used on this occasion, the Muttina
Sara necklace deserves special mention. This is one of the ancient
ornaments in possession of the Mutt. |
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The gold pendant
depicts Gandaberunda, the mythical bird which for centuries, has
been the ensign of the old Mysore Kingdom. |
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Makara Kanti (a
necklace in the shape of a crocodile, made out of diamonds and
emeralds) presented by Tippu sultan to the Jagadguru. |
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Jamakhandi Kanti
(a necklace of diamonds) presented by the Raja of Jamakhandi Kanti
sara (a seven-string necklace of pearls, diamonds and other gems)
are other noteworthy jewels of unique
and antique value. It is only during the Navaratri festival that
the entire jewellery in the Mutt is taken out to adorn the Goddess. |
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| Shankara
Jayanthi |
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Shankara
Jayanthi celebrations are held on Vaisaka Sukla Panchami in the
month of April - May for five days in a grand manner especially
in Sringeri and Kalady. In the morning, special abhishekam and
archanas are performed by His Holiness to the Murti of Sri Adi
Shankar. |
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Vakyartha
Sabha |
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About
100 years ago, Sri Sacchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi,
the 33rd Pontiff of the Sringeri Mutt established the Maha Ganapati
Vakyartha Sabha. The main aim of this Sabha has been to encourage
scholars in Sastras, Vedanta, Mimamsa, Vyakarana, Nyaya and Tarka.
Another important function of this Sabha is that the congregation
of pandits in the sastras exchange their views in the presence
of His Holiness. It also serves as an avenue for imparting knowledge
to their disciples. From the day of its inception to this day,
the Sabha continues to uphold its unique tradition.
Among all Vakyartha Sabhas, the Sabha at Sringeri stands unique
because His Holiness presides over it. Pandits consider it their privilege
to participate in this Sabha. Its name and fame grow day by day,
and accolades, honours and awards are given to Pandits as rewards. |
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| Maha
Shivarathri |
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Mahashivarathri
is another important annual function of the Sringeri Mutt. Pooja
to Lord Chandramousleeswara(Shiva) is performed with utmost devotion by His Holiness
in all the four quarters of the night. Many devotees sit through
the night and chant Rudram and Chamakam during the abhishekam.
Close to Mahashivarathri comes the car festival of Malahanikareswara.
On the Mahashivarathri day, from morning till late in the evening,
devotees come for darshan of Lord Siva in the Temple.
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