Sharan-Navaratri Celebrations at Sringeri
Utsava Mutri of Sri Sharadamba during Navaratri at Sringeri
Mahabhisheka
On the Mahalaya Amavasya day falling the 18th of September, Mahabhisheka was performed to Goddess Sharada. After the Mahabhisheka, Goddess Sharadamba gave Darshan as Jagat Prasutika signifying her role as the Divine Mother of the Universe. The Alankara is unique in that the Universe is represented symbolically as a baby in the arms of the Divine Mother Sharada. The Jagat Prasutika Alankara also portrays the Goddess as the one who nurtures with love the world and all beings in it. Goddess Sharada sported a number of Alankaras such as Hamsavahini, Mayuravahini, Rishabhavahini, Gajalakshmi, Simhavahini, Veena Sharada, Indrani, and Rajarajeshwari. Each aspect, inimitable and radiating bliss to all can only be ascertained by the Darshanam of the Goddess.
Cultural Programmes
Throughout the nine days, eminent Carnatic and Hindustani Classical music artistes came to Sringeri to offer seva to the Goddess and the Jagadguru by performing at the Jagadguru Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswami Sabha Bhavana in the precincts of the Math.
Shatachandi
This Panchami day also marked the commencement of the Shata Chandi Yaga which extends for four days. During this Yaga, 10 Ritwiks chant the Durga Sapta Shati (Devi Mahatmyam) once on the first day, twice on the second day, thrice on the third day and four times on the fourth day. This completes the chanting of the Sapta Shati for 100 times and this is followed by the Purnahuti of the Yaga on Mahanavami. On Mahanavami, the Purnahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga, conducted for the welfare of all beings, was completed in the presence of Mahaswamigal. The Gaja Puja, Ashwa Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vahana Puja were all performed in the presence of His Holiness. The form of Chamunda (Simha Vahana Alankara) which Goddess Sharada adorned, thrilled the hearts of all devotees gathered. Even those, who were unable to come to Sringeri, had the golden opportunity of watching the events live on ETV and Shankara TV.
On every day of Navaratri, the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada was taken in a Dindi Utsava every evening along the main street of Sringeri. The Utsava Moorti was also decorated exquisitely in a number of Alankaras. The various forms of the Goddess were also depicted in the Vigraha of Goddess Sharada worshipped as part of the daily Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru.
During the Navaratri festival, Parayana of the four Vedas, the commentaries on Vedanta (Prasthana-traya Bhashya of Sri Adi Shankaracharya), Sri Devi Bhagavatam, Sri Devi Mahatmyam, Ramayanam, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Harivamsha Puranam, Sri and Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam took place in the Goddess Sharada temple. During Navaratri, the Jagadguru performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the first floor of the new building “Sharada Prasada”, adjacent to “Sri Bharati Tirtha Prasada”, the main Annadana complex of the Peetham. The Jagadguru also gave Darshan in the evenings here.
Karnataka Simhasana Prathisthapanacharya
The Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal in Durbar attire
presiding over the Suvarna Ratha Dindi Utsava
Every night after the Chandramoulishwara Puja, the Jagadguru in accordance to the centuries-old tradition, adorned in royal attire conducted the Golden Dindi Utsava of Goddess Sharada in the temple and held the Navaratri Durbar. During the Durbar, Sri Durga Sapta Shati (Sri Devi Mahatmyam) Parayanam took place followed by Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda Sevas. On the night of Moola Nakshatra, when the Goddess is decorated as Veena Sharada, offerings of the various Maharajas including Mysore, Gwalior, Indore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kashi, Nepal were placed before the Goddess by the Administrator on their behalf. On Ekadashi, the Sharadamba Maharathotsava was held at Sringeri. An unprecedented number of devotees thronged the holy town. The Jagadguru was reverentially carried in the Golden Adda pallaki (palanquin) facing the front of the Ratha carrying the Utsava Moorti of Goddess Sharada.
The Jagadguru reverentially carried in the Golden Adda Pallaki
Jagadguru releases the new official website of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham
On Vijayadashami day, the Pattabhisheka Sarga from Srimad Valimiki Ramayanam was read by the Jagadguru at Pravachana Mandiram.
After this, the Jagadguru released the new official website of Sri Sharada Peetham (https://www.srisharadapeetham.com).
Addressing the devotee community, those who had gathered there as well as those who were not present, the Administrator and CEO of the Peetham said that the release of the website marked a milestone in the Peetham’s service towards the devotees. The devotees of the Math could now, sitting miles away be enriched by viewing various events and happenings at the Sringeri in real-time, Benedictory speeches and teachings of the Jagadgurus apart from also procuring a wealth of Information about the Peetham, it’s hoary legacy, it’s activities etc.
Teppotsava
The Sharannavaratri Celebrations ended with Mahabhishekha of the Goddess on Poornima (4th October, 2009) followed by Teppotsava in the evening.