Pujya Shankaracharya Swamiji visits Ram Mandir and Sanga Veda Vidyalaya - A historic day
06-10-2023
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Historic Day - 6/10/2023
Pujya Shankaracharya Swamiji's visit to Ram Mandir & Sanga Veda Vidyalaya
A historic event repeated yesterday when HH Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal visited Ram Mandir at Gaay Ghat & Vallabhram Shaligram Sanga Veda Vidyalaya at Ram Ghat, Varanasi. It was on the same date ninety years back on 6/10/1934 when HH Pujya Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi entered Varanasi and visited both these places. His Holiness Kanchi Mahaswamy had camped in these places for two weeks before arriving at the Shankar Math, Hanuman Ghat and stayed on for about 6 months. His Holiness Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal visited Ram Mandir and Veda Pathashala during his first Pada Yatra visit to Varanasi in 1973 and subsequently had blessed the Pathashala many times during his subsequent Yatras.
Ram Mandir
The Ram Mandir is maintained by Punjabi Saraswat Brahmin Community since 150 years. The Mandir houses two shrines for Ram Darbar and Shiv Darbar. The Mandir is built in typical Kashi style with artistic pillars in stone holding the weight of the upper floors. It also has rare photographs of Kanchi Mahaswamy and photos of various Devi Devathas printed at Karachi & Lahore. The community members led by Sri Abhayram Sand, who are maintaining the Mandir said to His Holiness that there were about a few thousand members who had migrated to Varanasi from West Punjab (Lahore, Karachi) from Undivided India. There were great scholars from the community who guided the Hindus of Punjab in their religious and societal obligations. They said that it was their fortune to host Kanchi Mahaswamy, Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swami and now His Holiness in their Mandir. They recalled that Kanchi Mahaswami had stayed in Ram Mandir with Sri Chandramouleeshwara Swamy Puja for two weeks and the ground opposite to the Mandir was used to house Srimatam Elephants, Camels, cows and bullock carts. Special Harathi was performed in the Mandir and His Holiness blessed the caretaker family with shawls & Prasadam.
Vallabhram Shaligram Sanga Veda Vidyalaya
His Holiness then started to Sanga Veda Vidyalaya. The Pathashala could be reached only by walking in the long and narrow lanes, typical to be seen and experienced in Varanasi. His Holiness walked through them and reached the Pathashala. People Enroute had Darshan. His Holiness was received by Sri Ganeshwar Sastry Dravid and Pathashala Adhyapakas. Babban Lakshman Maske, Member, Sri Lakshmikanth Dikshit ji, Jagannatha Sastry Tailang, Sudhamshu ji, Krishnagopal Sharma and other Adhyapaks were present during His Holiness’ visit.
Sri Ganeshwar Sastry Dravid read Swagatham and listed the important events held in the Pathashala in the past years which included visit of Kanchi Mahaswamy Pujya Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal, Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal & Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal. Prof Dr. Sri Rajaram Shukla & Sri Sharma, Chief of NDRF, Varanasi were chief guests on the occasion. The Swagathabhivandanam continued with a set of beautiful verses composed in the greatness of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and its Acharyas. Later Sri Vishweshwar Shastry Dravid performed Pada Puja to His Holiness.
In his Anugraha Bhashanam, His Holiness commended the work of Sanga Veda Vidyalaya in imparting Vedas along with its branches and with Sadacharam. His Holiness said that the Pathashala was endowed with great Vidwans in the past & present and is continuing to fulfilling its foundational objectives. His Holiness described the Pathashala as a heritage Pathashala due to its Vedic & Shastri legacy and its iconic structure too. His Holiness said that the Pathashala was established with a sense of sacrifice by munificient donors, some of whom were Vedic scholars who gave up their entire belongings. His Holiness said that people should get together and support such Pathashalas and protect Vedic heritage. His Holiness said that the problems faced by the Pathashala should get solved at the earliest and function in its fullest glory. His Holiness concluded the speech with blessing the Adhyapaks, Vidyarthis & members and chanted Totakashtakam. Prasadams blessed by His Holiness were distributed to the assembled.
His Holiness then walked through the lanes to reach Ganesh Ghat from where Srimatam entourage returned to Hanuman Ghat through ferry which reduced travel time by 45 mins. Embarking at Shivala Ghat, His Holiness returned back to Math and performed Shukaravara Puja which commenced at 9:45 PM and concluded at 12:30 post midnight.
Generally, visits are not fixed for His Holiness on Fridays due to Abhishekam Pujas in the evening too. As it was a historic date, His Holiness attended the visits to commemorate the occasion. Leaving Srimatam Camp at 5:30 PM after giving darshan, His Holiness returned back at 9:15 PM and immediately went for Puja.
His Holiness Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya had first visited the Pathashala in 1988. At that time His Holiness had accompanied Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji to Nepal Yatra and on return stayed in Varanasi.
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