Puja and Mandalabhisheka to Sri Rishyashringeshwara Swami
Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji offered worship at the temple of Lord Rishyashringeshwara at Kigga near Sringeri on Feb 2, 2023. Acceding to the request of the devotees and the authorities of the temple to offer worship for the welfare of the region, the Jagadguru arrived at Kigga around 8:30 a.m. After being accorded a devout welcome, the Jagadguru offered an elaborate Puja including the Kalashabhisheka connected with Mandalabhisheka to Sri Rishyashringeshwara Swami, after whom the holy town of Sringeri gets its name.
A Stotram titled “Rishyashringashtakam” penned by the 32nd Acharya of Sringeri, Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, was chanted in chorus at the end of the Puja. (The stotram can be accessed here – https://www.srisharadapeetham.com/stotras/shivastotrani/shririshyashringashtakam)
In the Sabha held after the Puja, Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam mentioned that it was Sage Rishyashringa who had officiated in Raja Dasharatha’s Putra Kameshti Yaga and paved way for the advent of the Avatara of Sri Rama. The Shiva Linga that the sage had worshipped and had become one with at the end of his earthly sojourn, came to be called as Sri Rishyashringeshwara.
Sri Sannidhanam mentioned that in accordance with the directive of His revered Guru, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam, a Rajagopuram has been constructed at the Sri Malahanikareshwara temple in Sringeri and the Kumbhabhisheka is set to take place in the forthcoming fortnight. Sri Malahanikareshwara Shivalinga owes its origin to the Tapas of Maharshi Vibhandaka, the father of sage Rishyarshringa.
Hence, Sri Sannidhanam had felt that it would be apt to first offer worship to Sri Rishyashringeshwara before the commencement of the grand Kumbhabhisheka Mahotsava at Sri Malahanikareshwara temple. It is but divine grace that the authorities of Sri Rishyashringeshwara temple also requested at the same time that the Sringeri Jagadguru offer worship pertaining to the Mandalabhisheka and as a Prayaschitta for the suspension of various other festivals in the temple owing to the pandemic in the past few years. (Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam had performed Kumbhabhisheka here in early 2020.)
It is well-known that worship is offered to Sri Rishyashringeshwara Swami for bountiful rainfall and the epithet of the Sringeri Acharyas as the “harbinger of copious rainfall” is also due to the grace of Sri Rishyashringeshwara Swami and Sri Malahanikareshwara Swami. It is worthy to note that as per centuries-old tradition, besides the Archakas of the temple, only the Sringeri Jagadgurus have the privilege to enter the Garbha Griha of Sri Rishyashringeshwara Swami and perform Puja.
Sri Sannidhanam mentioned that prayers had been offered for the welfare of all farmers of the region, and showered His blessings on devotees led by Sringeri MLA Sri Raje Gowda and former MLA Sri Jeevaraj.
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