Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti was observed with special rituals at Sringeri Sharada Peetham on April 21. Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal performed worship for Adi Shankara with special abhishekam and aradhanas.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is described as the first and foremost seat established by Adi Shankara in the 8th century on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Karnataka to propagate Advaita Vedanta. The tradition recalls that he installed Sharada (Saraswati) and appointed his chief disciple Sureshwaracharya as the first acharya, staying for 12 years to teach Advaita.
The monastery complex includes a separate shrine for Adi Shankara, where he is seen seated in yogasana with chinmudra. The sandalwood idol of Saraswati installed by Adi Shankara later became associated with the Sharadamba temple.
As part of the day’s programme, Vedic chanting and Vidyaranya Veda bhashya recitations were held in the morning and evening. A Harahara Namalayam inauguration took place at 11:30 am, while special puja and kanakabhishekam were scheduled for the afternoon.
Evening events included Vedic recitation, Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya parayanam, anugraha bhashanam by Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal, mangala arati and ashtavadana seva, followed by prasad distribution. Children also took part in drawing and colouring competitions and a girivalam amid chants of “Namah Shankaraya”, with prizes awarded for notable entries.
