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2533rd Shankara Jayanti in Srinagar, Kashmir - 13th year since 2012 observed with piety & devotion

12-05-2024

’ वेदो नित्यमधीयताम्’ ‘तदुदितं कर्म स्वनुष्ठीयताम्’ ‘Study the Vedas daily and perform deeds as enjoined therein is the prime Upadesha of Jagadguru Adi Shankara. With the benign blessings of His Holiness Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, the Annual Shankara Jayanthi Utsavam was held at Srinagar for the 13th Year with piety and grandeur in the divine presincts of Jyeshtha Mata Mandir, Srinagar, J&K. The first major Jayanthi Utsav - Samskriti Saptaha was celebrated in the Kashmir Valley in the year 2012 in the divine presence of Jagadguru Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal. This year, scholars from Southern India participated in the event and performed Veda Parayanams, Havans, Agnihotram, Ishtis, Ramayana Sundarakanda Parayanam, Laugakshi Gruhya Sutra Parayanam, Sampradaya Bhajans including Seetha Kalyanam as part of the Jayanthi celebrations. This year it was Samaveda Parayanam with Ashtabrahmanam by senior scholars led by Brahma Shri Kanjivay Ganesha Shrowtigal and teamed up by couple scholars each for Rigveda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda. Agnihotra and Ishtis were performed by Brahmashri Srinivasa Shrowtigal and team. The Bhajans were performed by Shri Chattanatha Bhagavathar & Party. His Holiness has directed that each year one Veda would be primary and other three Vedas seconding the primary Veda. After two rounds of Rig, Yajur Sama & Atharva Vedas, this year in the third cycle it was Samaveda again in the lead. This is aimed at enabling continuity of chanting of all Vedas in the Valley. Our Acharyas have ordained that the divine vibrations of Vedic chants cleanses the atmosphere, creates positive energy and heals the eco system. The benefit of Vedic chants help in creating peace, positivity, progress and harmony in the region. The scholars and devotees were also taken to the various Mandirs in Srinagar Valley where they prayed for the welfare of one & all. The Bhajans consisting the divine name of Bhagavan were chanted with devotion seeking his indefinite compassion and grace for one & all. This effort has been going on each year with the blessings of His Holiness Pujya Shri Shankaracharyas of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. The morning sessions would be full of chanting and evening would be filled with visits to nearby places. Late evenings, the portrait of Jagadguru Shankaracharya would be adorned with various decorations and taken in Shobha Yatra on a palanquin inside the Jyeshtha Matha Mandir complex amidst chanting of Vedas and Bhajans which is a sight to see. Later after Vishnu Sahasranama & Totakashtakam, the Avadharaya (chanting Ghana Swasti & special Gaanams) from four Vedas, important verses from four Shastras, Sangitam, Bhajans would fill each one’s heart with spiritual delight and make one proud of the Vedic heritage. On special days like Akshaya Tritiya and Friday the Suhasini & Kanya Pujas would be performed to locals and also to those accompanying the team from South. On the penultimate day, bearing the extreme cold and incessant rains the entire team trekked up to the Shankaracharya Hill situated in the heart of Srinagar to commemorate the Jayanthi day- Vaishakha Shukla Panchami. Special Abhishekams to Jyeshtheswara Lingam, Ishtis, chanting of Avatara Ghattam of Adi Shankara in the cave where Jagadguru Adi Shankara meditated and performance of Bhajans and Sampradaya Natyam were dedicated. The Kalasham with holy water kept from day one in the Yagnya Shala was poured on Jyeshtheshwara in the holy Shankaracharya Hill. The devotees visiting the shrine were distributed with Prasadams and photos of Adi Shankara. Various books on philosophy and culture were also given to devotees during the week long celebration.