Sanskrit Teachers Meet at Sringeri
A meeting of Sanskrit teachers belonging to Surasaraswati Sabha of Sri Sharada Peetham was organised at Sringeri on December 25. About 150 Sanskrit teachers from Karnataka participated. His Holiness Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji granted special darsan to the teachers.
In his anugraha sandesha, His Holiness said Sri Surasaraswati Sabha had been established 42 years ago by his guru, Paramapujya Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal. The sabha had been established to propagate Sanskrit, dispelling the misconception, including the one that it is associated only with a select few in the society, and to provide proficiency in the language so that one may be able to converse in Sanskrit.
His Holiness pointed out that Sanskrit is common to all and there is no language in the nation that does not derive from Sanskrit. Everyone must learn Sanskrit at least to the extent of being able to read and understand Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam in Sanskrit.
His Holiness called upon the teachers to resolve to make children and youngsters Sanskrit literate.
Later, Sri V R Gowrishankar, CEO and Administrator of the Peetham, convened a meeting of the teachers. The teachers offered suggestions to integrate and strengthen the activities of Surasaraswati Sabha for the propagation of Sanskrit.
Sri Gowrishankar said the Sabha would consider the proposals in accordance with the directions of His Holiness and work towards greater interaction between the students and teachers, so as to reach out to larger sections of the society.
Ardrotsava at Sringeri
Ardrotsava took place at Sringeri on January 8. Mahamangalarati to Lord Malahanikaresvara and Goddess Bhavani was performed at around 5 a.m. in the presence of His Holiness Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji. A procession of the Utsava Murtis of Lord Nataraja and Goddess Bhavani then took place.
The procession included three circumambulations of the hillock. His Holiness led the procession for some distance. The event concluded with Ashtavadhana Seva. The utsava
murtis were taken back to the Malahanikaresvara temple amidst the chanting of Sivanandalahari. The previous night, Andhakasura Vadha was celebrated in front of the Pravachana Mandiram
Kalabhairavashtami
On December 18,2011, Kalabhairavashtami was observed. Sri Kalabhairava was worshipped in accordance with the Vedic traditions of shodashopachara. His Holiness performed abhishekam to Sri Kalabhairava to the sonorous chanting of Sri Rudram and other mantras by the pundits of the Math and students of Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala. The puja concluded with mahamangalarati at around 2:30 pm.
Later in the evening, Deepotsava was celebrated at the shrine in the august presence of the Jagadguru. The event concluded with maha mangalarti and Ashtavadhana Seva.
Vidyatirtha Jayanti
The 94th Jayanthi Mahotsavam in Chennai of His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Maha swamigal was celebrated from November 23 to 27 under the auspices of Sri Vidyatirtha Foundation, Chennai. It was inaugurated by His Holiness Swami Atmashraddananda, Editor, Vedanta Kesari of Sri Ramakrishna Math. In his inaugural address the Swamiji outlined the importance of celebrating the Jayanthi Mahotsava.
Sri T. V. Ganesh, Regional Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, presided. Well known Harikata exponent Brahmasri Sundarakumar gave a series of lectures on Bhaja Govindam. Renowned singers renderednama sankeertanam and bhajan on all the five days.
On the concluding day, Hon. Justice Sri R.S. Ramanathan presided and honoured Brahmasri Kudumba Sastri, president of the International Association for Sanskrit Studies. Sri A. Krishnamoorthy, Chairman, Amalgamations Group, presented the citation and cash award.
Sri K.Gopalakrishnan, Financial Advisor and philanthropist, delivered a special address.
Brahmasri B.Sundarakumar released a new audio CD containing the benedictory address of Sri Mahasannidhanam. Earlier, Sri R.Krishnan, Managing Trustee of the foundation, welcomed the gathering.
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