Mahashivaratri 2010 celebrations at Sringeri
The Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji
worshipping Lord Chandramouleeshwara during Shivaratri
‘Mahashivaratri’ or the Holy night of Lord Shiva was celebrated in accordance with customs and traditions of the Math in a grand manner. The celebrations took off begining with the ‘Maharudram’ which commenced with the blessings of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji on 10th February 2010. The Jagadguru presided over the inaugural function by performing Samkalpa and presenting Coconuts and other paraphernalia to the purohits and ritwijas of the sacrifice.
On the day of Mahashivaratri the Jagadguru graced the temple of Sri Malahanikareshwara atop a hill located in the centre of Sringeri town and performed special puja at around 12:30 Noon to the accompaniment of Vedic chanting by the Pundits of the Math and students of the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala. There was also devotional bhajans and Kirtans sung by many devotees during the Puja. For the benefit of devotees who had gathered in large number, a special screening of the puja was arranged using sophisticated projection equipment, within the precincts of the temple, so that devotees could watch the puja even from far. The Puja concluded with the Mahamangalarti of Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani at around 3:00 P.M, after which devotees who had gathered there were offered prasadam.
The Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji
performing mahamangala-arati to Lord Malahanikareshwara at Sringeri
The night puja (also refered as the Chatur-Yaama puja) commenced at around 7:30 P.M and the four yaama pujas continued till 7:30 A.M the next day. Throught the four yaamas, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya worshipped Lord Chandramouleeshwara to the accompaniment of Vedic chanting by the Math Pundits, students and other devotees who had come from all parts of India.
The next day, on February 13th Malahanikareshwara Rathotsava was celebrated at morning. Being accorded a traditional invitation by the denizens of Sringeri at the Pravachana Mandiram at around 11:00 A.M, the Jagadguru led the procession of Sri Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani on the Ratha through the Bharati Street. The Rathotsava concluded at around 12:30 Noon.
The Maharudra Yajna which had commenced on 10th February concluded on 14th with the grand finale of Purnahuti, which was graced by the Jagadguru who blessed the Ritwijas and the Purohits along with the devotees who had gathered at the Yagashala to witness the event.
The week-long Shivaratri celebrations concluded with the Teppotsava being conducted on the Tunga River on 15th February 2010 at 7:00 P.M. in the August presence of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya.