With the blessings of Their Holiness Jagadgurus Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji and Jagadguru Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Shankara Jayanthi Mahotsav was celebrated in Sikkim from 13th to 20th May 2013. A series of Yagnyas for Universal Peace - 'Viswa Shanti Yagnya' and Veda Sammelan were held in different parts of Sikkim - right from the capital Gangtok to the Shiv Mandir adjacent to the Tsango Lake near the NathuLa Pass along the Indo-China Border.

13-15 May 2013 at Thakurbari temple, Gangtok
The Viswa Shanti Yagnya, the Eighth one in a series of similar yagnyas conducted in various places including Shrinagar, Jammu and Leh in J&K State, Manipur, Darjeeling, etc. commenced on the 13th May 2013 in Thakurbari temple in Gangtok. Sankalpa, Ganapati Japa Homa and Aikamatya Sukta homa was performed. On the 14th, Havan propitiating Lord Subrahmanya was peformed. 15th May- Shankara Jayanthi Day - was celebrated with fervor. The Utsava Vigraha and Portrait of Shri Adi Shankara was taken out in procession around the main streets of Gangtok along with chanting of Veda Mantras by the Vedic Pandits. Special pujas with abhisheka, arachana, alankara and deeparadhana was performed to Shri Adi Shankara and Avatara Ghatta Parayana was performed. Adi Shankara Stotras were recited. Dhanvantri, Navagraha, Shiva Panchakshara Japa Homa were performed. In the evening, Vedic Scholar Shri Anantapadmanabhan gave a discourse outlining the significance of Adi Shankara's avatara. Smt. Jayashree Jayaramakrishnan gave a unique musical concert in which each of the songs exemplified and propitiated the shanmata Devatas - highlighting the 'Shanmata' concept of Shri Adi Shankara. All compositions were of Shri Muthuswamy Deekshitar.

Saraswati Devi- Adi Shankara Utsava Murthi - Kalasa Sthapanam


Veda Vidwans carrying the holy padukas and portrait of Acharya


Procession through important roads around Thakurbari temple


Deeparadhana


Alankara to Shri Adi Shankara

Veda Parayan in different Veda Shakhas


Poornahuti


Stotra Books being given to little ones who visited the temple

16th May 2013 - Namchi
The Dakshinamurthi Japa - Yagnya , Saraswati Sukta Japa- Yagnya and Veda Parayana performed at Siddheswar Dham in Namchi. The Siddheswar Dham is a unique place of pilgrimage in Sikkim in which a huge Statue of Shiva, the 12 Jyotirlingas, and the Char-Dhams have been built in a single complex with an idea to facilitate the devotees who are unable to travel far and wide to have darshan of all these important places of pilgrimage in one place. It also serves as a symbol of National Integration. One might recall here that the Char Dham yatra was established by Shri Adi Shankara and along with its spiritual significance, it also helps in National and Cultural Integration of our country. The portraits of Shri Adi Shankara and the Holy Padukas of Acharya were taken around the entire temple complex with chanting of Veda Mantras. The temple priests and authorities as well as the visiting devotees participated in the event and received the prasad and blessings.

Havan Shala in Namchi

Portraits and Padukas of Their Holiness being taken around the temple

17th May 2013 - Shiv Mandir - Tsango Lake
The programme continued for the fifth day and the venue was the Shiv Mandir at Tsango Lake, near the Nathu La pass in the vicinity of the Indo-China Border. Rudra Parayanam and Japam, Soundaryalahari and other stotra Parayanam and Japam were performed. The Blessings of Their Holinesses ensured that the programme took place very well inspite of various adverse conditions including chilly weather, landslides and roads difficult to motor on.

A view of the Tsango Lake located at 12000ft - Snowcapped mountains seen in the background

Inside the Shiv Mandir on the banks of Tsongo Lake (12300 ft) - Rudra Parayan being performed

Books, photos and prasad being distributed

18th - 20th May 2013 - Kanchaneshwar Mandir, Ranipool

The last three days of the Adi Shankara Jayanthi Mahotsav were held in the Kanchi Kamakoti Kanchaneshwar Mandir in Ranipool, East Sikkim. The temple was consecrated by His Holiness during His Yatra to North-East in 2002. On the 18th, Sudarshana Japa Homam, Maharudra Japam and Chandi Parayanam were performed. On Sunday, Triveda Suryanamaskar, Maharudra Japam, Chandi Homam were performed. Suvasini Puja and Kanya Puja were performed. On the 20th, the Nandi stapana, Dwajasthamba and Bali Peetam staphana and Laghu Kumbhabhishekam was performed. The event concluded with Maharudra Homam and poornahuti.

PATASHALA INAUGURATION

As ordained by Their Holiness, a Veda Pathashala was inaugurated in the Temple Complex with lighting of traditional lamp. The Pathashala is a Shukla Yajur Veda Pathashala. The Adhyapak commenced the vedic lessons for the students.

Palkhi Procession of Adi Shankara commencing from the temple

Procession along the Pakyong Road

Residents along the route receiving the procession with devotion

Little devotees chanting shlokas and leading the procession

Suvasini and Kanya Puja being performed


Poornahuti

Abishekam to Hanuman


A view of the Dwajasthamba

Parayanam of Sama Veda Jaimineeya Shakha

Alankaram


Pathashala Adhyapak performing Vigneshwara Puja

Devotees watching the yagnya

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