Prana Pratishtha Mahakumbhabhisheka of Bhagavati Annapoorneshwari of Kashi and Sringeri Sri Sharadamba decorated in Sri Annapoorneshwari Alankara
Prana Pratishtha Mahakumbhabhisheka of Bhagavati Annapoorna of Kashi performed by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji on 7th February 2025
With the blessings of the Dakshinamnaya Shringeri Sharada Peethadheeshwara, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam, the Uttaradhikari of Sringeri Peetham, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam performed the Pratishtha Mahakumbhabhisheka of the new Vigraha offered by Sringeri Math at Sri Annapurneshwari temple, located beside the famous Vishwanatha temple at Varanasi on Krodhi Samvatsara (Vikram Samvat 2081) Magha Shukla Dashami (February 7, 2025). The air resonated with the chanting of Vedic mantras and a wave of devotion swept through the ancient city, as devotees gathered to partake in this historic occasion.
On this auspicious occasion, a Swarna Shikhara Gopura was dedicated as a humble offering to Sri Annapurneshwari by the Sringeri Math. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam also performed the Kumbhabhisheka of the Swarna Shikhara Gopura atop the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Annapurneshwari.
The Kumbhabhisheka has been performed after Mahant of Sri Annapurna Mandir, Sri Shankar Puri ji Maharaj had come to Sringeri last year reverentially inviting the Sringeri Jagadguru to Varanasi to perform the Maha Kumbhabhisheka. Acceding to the request, Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam fixed the Muhurta and directed Sri Sannidhanam to perform the Kumbhabhisheka.
As part of the grand Kumbhabhisheka, various dharmic activities are being conducted including Sahasrachandi Mahayajna, Kotikumkumarchana, Maharudra Yajna. Parayana of the four Vedas, the 18 Puranas and Srimad Valmiki Ramayana also took place. The japa of many powerful mantras meant for the wellbeing of mankind was also performed. Nearly 500 Vedic scholars have been involved in these dharmic activities as part of the Mahakumbhabhisheka ceremonies that began on 31st January and will end on February 9, 2025.
The Kumbhabhisheka day began on the most sacred note with Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam arriving at 4 am at the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Vishwanatha temple and performing special Abhisheka and Puja. Mahant of Sri Annapurna Math Mandir Sri Shankar Puri ji Maharaj, Mahant Sri Subhash Puri ji Maharaj, Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, Chairman, Niti Aayog, Shri Avanish Awasthi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Shri N Venkataraman, Additional Solicitor General, Supreme Court of India were amongst the dignitaries present on the occasion.
At around 10:30 am, Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti of Pratishthanga Homa, prayed to Chintaharan Ganapati in the premises of Sri Annapurna temple and then performed the Kumbhabhisheka.
After performing the Suvarna shikhara Kumbhabhisheka, the Jagadguru blessed the devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam. In that the Jagadguru said, “The leela of Bhagvan Vishwanath seeking alms and Sri Annapoorna offering it is indicative of the fact that we owe our lives to the compassion of Bhagavati Sri Annapoorna who is nourishing us.” After explaining the greatness of Amba, the Jagadguru said, “Kashi and Sringeri are connected from the times of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. He had stayed at Kashi for long. Likewise Sri Shankaracharya had established the southern Peeth, the first and foremost of the four Amnaya Peeth, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peeth at Sringeri.. We have Darshan of Bhagavan Vishwanath ji and Ganga Ma at Varanasi, while we have Darshan of Bhagavan Sri Chandramoulishwara / Sri Malahanikareshwara and Tunga Ma in Sringeri. In Kashi, Jagadamba is gracing devotees as Vishalakshi and Annapurna while at Sringeri, Jagadamba is gracing the devotees as Sharadamba.
48 years ago, as per the request of the then Mahant of Annapurneshwari temple, Sri Tribhuvan Puri ji Maharaj, our Paramaguru, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji and our Guru, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji had come to Varanasi and performed the Kumbhabhisheka at Sri Annapurneshwari temple.
The various dharmic activities are meant for the wellbing of all mankind as well as the peace and prosperity of our entire nation. We have also prayed that the farmers of our country be blessed by Sri Annapurneshwari and there be abundant food security and wealth in our nation. Offering our pranams at the Lotus Feet of our revered Guru, we convey our blessings to all.”
The Sringeri Shankaracharya then blessed hundreds of scholars who took part in the function. The CEO and Administrator of the Sringeri Math Sri P A Murali, Mahant of Sri Annapurna Mandir, Sri Shankar Puri ji Maharaj, Mahant Sri Subash Puri ji Maharaj felicitated the scholars. In the evening Guruvandana Sabha held at Sri Sringeri Shankara Math, Baradwankoti, Mehamorganj Varanasi, various dignitaries of Varanasi and devotees from all parts of Bharat attended.
Today in Sringeri Sharada Peetham, devotees had Darshan of Sri Sharadamba decorated in Sri Annapoorna Alankara and the Mahamangala arati was held in the divine presence of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sri Sharada Peethadhishwara Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji. Likewise Sri Sharadamba was adorned in the Annapoorna Alankara in Sharadamba temple in various branches of Sringeri Math across our nation.
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