Jagadguru returns to Sringeri
Jagadguru’s welcome procession at Sringeri
The Jagadguru started from Sagar towards Sringeri on the 22nd afternoon. Along the route to Sringeri, people at various towns including Konandooru, Tirthahalli, Koppa, Hariharapura, Addagadde, Kaavadi, Anegunde offered Phala-Pushpam to the Jagadguru. Even as the Jagadguru and His entourage touched the outskirts of Sringeri, thousands of devotees raised chants of Victory as if to signify the glorious completion of the Jagadguru’s Vijaya Yatra. The Jagadguru received a venerating reception with Purna Kumbha at the Welcome Gate. The Jagadguru then ascended the Panchajanya Ratha colourfully designed and bedecked with flowers. A grand welcome procession took place comprising of elephants, horses, umbrellas bearing royal insignia, as well as tableaus highlighting the hoary history of Sringeri and the life of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The atmosphere was charged with Vedic chants and Bhajans.
Jagadguru giving Anugraha Bhashana after returning to Sringeri
With the procession ending at the main entrance of the Peetham, the Jagadguru first proceeded to Goddess Sharada temple, had Darshan and then arrived at the Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam to grace the programme commemorating the completion of the Vijaya Yatra. The Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar said that the glory of the Vijaya Yatra could be gauged from the splendid welcome that the people of Sringeri had just accorded. He recounted memorable incidents from the Vijaya Yatra and conveyed to a packed audience of devotees that the Jagadguru’s tour in the month of June resulted in much anticipated downpours to the joy of the people in the towns of North Karnataka. He added that the Yatra brought to light the fame of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the sacred town of Sringeri. Dignitaries representing the States of Maharashtra and Karnataka offered their reverential Pranams. Former Minister, Sri Chandre Gowda and former MLA Sri Jeevaraj expressed joy at the return of the Jagadguru to Sringeri. Sri Chandre Gowda read out a message sent by of His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka, Sri Rameshwar Thakur, paying respects to His Holiness.
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam attributed the glory of the Vijaya Yatra and the Peetham in the present-day to the unbounded compassion and Anugraha of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal. The Jagadguru expressed immense satisfaction at the successful conduct of the Centenary Celebrations of the Bangalore Shankara Math, the observance of Chaturmasya and Celebration of Sharada Sharannavaratri at Mumbai, and the installation of Goddess Sharada at Nasik, one of the oldest branches of the Peetham. The Jagadguru praised the Shraddha and Bhakti of the people of North Karnataka, a region where Yatras had not been undertaken in the past. The Jagadguru said that it is His bounden duty to follow the line of the illustrious Guru Parampara and spread the message of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The Jagadguru blessed the people of Sringeri for their ardent devotion and also gave His blessings to the assembled dignitaries. The programme ended with devotees who had come from all over the country offering their Pranams and performing Phala-samarpanam.