Shankara Vijayam Festival
His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin, Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham was blessed with Sannyasa by His Guru Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin in the year 1974 in the holy land of Sringeri. After serving His Guru for 23 long years, in 1989, His Holiness adorned the Vyakhyana Simhasana, the throne of transcendental wisdom, as the 36th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, Karnataka. The Life of the Jagadguru involves strict adherence to Dharma and its associated Penance. His Life itself is full of teachings for all of us to emulate.
The Jagadguru is a scholar par excellence in the Vedas and Shastras including Vedanta, Nyaya, Mimamsa and Vyakaranam. By His personal example and His teachings, the Jagadguru instructs how the core tenets of Sanatana Dharma can help us lead a balanced, meaningful and contented life even in today’s fast-paced world. Strictly living by the ideal, ‘simple living and high thinking’, His Holiness has been an epitome of sanctity, ever striving to the keep the national flag of India high and soaring.
To mark the Golden Jubilee of His Sannyasa Ashrama, His disciple Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin devised a Festival by name Shankara Vijayam. Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation was blessed to organise this Festival at many cities across Bharath. The main purpose of this programme is to help people to lead a meaningful and successful life based on the teachings of Sri Adishankara.
The important features of this Festival are as follows.
- Having a Pictorial Exhibition on the Life and Teachings of Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin titled, ‘An Embodiment of Dharma ‘.
- Organising Seminars for various segments of the society to promote Indian values and culture.
- Conducting discourses by eminent Scholars on the Life and Teachings of Sri Adishankara.
- Self Development program for School students based on the Life and Teachings of Sri Adishankara.
- Conducting quiz competitions to inculcate our ancient values to various segment of the society more particularly to students.
- Publication of valuable books to spread the valuable teachings of the Jagadgurus.
As per the directions of the Jagadguru, the inaugural edition of this festival was held at Sringeri from Wednesday, 8th to Sunday, 12th November, 2023. His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin inaugurated the Exhibition titled, ‘ An Embodiment of Dharma ‘ at the hall located behind the sacred Sri Shardamba Temple. As a mark of inauguration, His Holiness lighted the Kuthuvilakku and offered flowers to the portrait of Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin.
He was accompanied by many senior officials of the Mutt including Dr. V.R. Gowrishankar, Administrator and CEO. His Holiness spent nearly two hours viewing the entire exhibition booth after booth and gave several useful directions to make it more purposeful for the devotees. He also explained the significance of some of the rare pictures.
On the concluding day of this first edition of the Festival Sunday, 12th November a Special Sadas was held at Gurunivas, Sringeri. Swami Sivayogananda of Madurai delivered a lecture on, ‘ Sri Adishankara and Eternal Bliss ‘. His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Sannidhanam delivered a benedictory Address in Tamil and explained the significance of this Festival. The Jagadguru spoke at length about the greatness of Sannyasa Dharma and also on the important role played by a Jagadguru Shankaracharya. He also showered blessings on the Foundation for organising an exhibition of this nature which will inspire people to lead a life based on Dharmic principles.
Earlier Sri R.Krishnan, Managing Trustee of the Foundation welcomed the gathering and announced the detailed programme of the Festival chalked out at various cities as per the directions of the Jagadguru. On Monday, 13th November the entire team of the Foundation was blessed and thrilled as Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin Himself decided to bless them with a visit to the Exhibition. The Jagadguru went round the exhibition for nearly half an hour and blessed the organising team for the dedicated effort.
Completed Events
Jayanthi Mahotsavam
of
His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin
His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin, 35th Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham was born in the year 1917 on the sacred Deepavali Day at Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka, India. His Jayanthi is celebrated every year on Krishna Paksha Chathurdasi in the month of Aippasi ( Thula) normally coming in the month of October – November.
In Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation, we start the Jayanthi Celebration by participating in the Poojas performed at the sacred shrine of the Jagadguru at Sringeri. Then as per the directions of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin, Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, we organise a public function for five days coinciding with Krishna Paksha Chathurdasi in the month Vrschika, normally coming in the month of November – December. During this Mahotsav, there will be a discourse based on the Teachings of Sri Adishankara to attain spiritual progress. There will also be bhajans by renowned singers to chant the holy name of the Lord.
There will be a Special Sadas on the concluding day in which a Sastraic Scholar nominated by the Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham will be honoured. The Scholar will be presented with Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin Award for excellence in the study and teaching of Shastras. The Award carries a cash prize of Rupees Fifty Thousand, a silk shawl, a citation and a set of valuable books. The list of scholars selected for the honor by the Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin is given below.
| Year | Scholar honored |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Brahmasri Ganesh Bhatta |
| 2004 | Brahmasri M.A. Nagaraja Bhatta |
| 2005 | Dr C. Narasimha Murthy |
| 2006 | Dindukuri Brahmasri Narayana Sharma |
| 2007 | Dr R. Mani Dravid |
| 2008 | Brahmasri Vinayaka Udupa |
| 2009 | Brahmasri Gopalakrishna Sastry |
| 2010 | Brahmasri Mahabaleshwar Bhat |
| 2011 | Dr Kudumbha Shastry |
| 2012 | Dr Naveen Holla |
| 2013 | Brahmasri J. Ramakrishna |
| 2014 | Brahmasri Soothi Nagaraja Sharma |
| 2015 | Brahmasri Krishna Ananthapadmanabham |
| 2016 | Brahmasri B Krishnaraja Bhat |
| 2017 | Brahmasri B L Ganapathy Bhat |
| 2018 | Brahmasri T V Shivakumar Sharma |
| 2019 | Kuppa Brahmasri Sivasubramanya Avadhani |
| 2020 | Not Awarded due to pandemic situation |
| 2021 | Brahmasri Dr. K S Maheswaran Namboothiri |
| 2022 | Brahmasri Ganesh Ishwar Bhat |
106th Jayanthi Mahotsavam – 2023
Conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
The Jayanthi Mahotsavam was held at Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Pravachana Mandiram, Chennai from Thursday, 7th to Monday, 11th December, 2023.
Swami Sivayogananda delivered a series of Lectures titled ‘The means to Everlasting Happiness‘ based on Bhagavath Gita chapter Seven. On the concluding day, a Special Sadas was held, presided over by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy of Nerur. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin Award for this year was presented to Prof. K.Vishwanatha Sharma of National Sanskrit University, Tirupathi.
Sri S.Balasubramaniam, Dharmadhikari, Sri Sringeri Shankar Mutt, Salem delivered the Jayanthi Address. The address was packed with memorable anecdotes, that he and his family members had with the Jagadguru. It brought happiness to hundreds of devotees who had gathered on the occasion. Nerur Swamiji delivered the Presidential Address and presented the prasadams of the Jagadguru to all the devotees.
This Jayanthi Mahotsavam witnessed mass chanting of Sri Rama Tarka Mantra everyday to mark the raise of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Sri R. Krishnan, Managing Trustee of the Foundation gave complete details of the Ayodhya Temple complex for the benefit of devotees.
Towards Excellence in Life and Career – The Dharmic Way
A Workshop for the Youth of India
Conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
Sunday, 1st and Monday, 2nd October, 2023. at Sringeri.
This programme was held at the holy land of Sringeri right inside the premises of Sri Sharada Peetham. The Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. V.R. Gowrishankar, Administrator and CEO of Sri Sringeri Mutt on the morning of 1st October after Vedic Prayer and Invocation .
The first session was on ‘ Understanding the challenges of Youth – Exploring solutions ‘. It was a group discussion. Sri R.Krishnan and Sri Lalith Aditya moderated the session and set the tone for the Workshop.
Two more sessions was conducted on the first day in the afternoon. One session was on Dharma in daily Life . The other one was on ‘ Self transformation and Professional Excellence – Insights from the Teachings of Sri Adishankara.
In the evening all the participants had the opportunity to personally have darshan of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin. In the night they had darshan of Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin and witnessed the night Pooja performed by Him.
On the second day Sri Sai Deepak a renowned Advocate, Supreme Court of India delivered a talk on ‘ Enabling The Path to Bharath ‘ and answered volley of questions posed by the delegates. There was also a session on Learnings from Exemplary Leader – Sri Adishankara. This was dealt by Sri V.R. Ramesh , Management consultant, Bengaluru.
In the evening of the second day of the Workshop His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin blessed the participants with an Interactive session . Sri R.Krishnan and Sri K.Sridhar compered the programme. At the conclusion all the participants received Certificate of Participation and books. All the delegates were personally blessed by the Jagadguru. It was a memorable two day session for the 120 youngsters who gathered at Sringeri. The programme concluded with recitation of Thotakashtakam.
Workshop on Sri Adishankara and Ancient Wisdom
Conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
From Monday, 22nd to Thursday,25th August, 2022 at Sringeri.
In order to enlighten the teaching community on our Ancient Wisdom, we conducted a four day Workshop for School Teachers of Tamil Nadu at Sringeri. The Workshop titled, “Sri Adishankara and Ancient Wisdom” was conducted with the blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamin, Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The entire schedule was devised by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin.
Swami Sivayogananda, Renowned Scholar Dr. C.L. Ramakrishnan, Sri Dhushyanth Sridhar, Sri L. Sowjanyakumar delivered presentations on various important topics. The topics covered in the Workshop on the first day was on Vedas , Upanishads, Upavedas, Darshanas, Ancient Sages and their contribution . On the second day the subjects dealt includes Ancient history, Smriti, Puranas and Ithihas. There was also a session on Sutras and allied metgodologies and early life of Sri Shankara. Uniqueness of Sri Adishankara’s compositions, Greatness of Sri Adishankara’s commentaries, Sri Adishankara – The World Teacher were the sessions that was held on the third day.
The concluding session of the Workshop was held at Guru Nivas in Narasimhavanam, Sringeri in the divine presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamin on 25th August. His Holiness delivered a Benedictory Address exclusively to the delegates of the Workshop. It was an divine session lasting for three hours. The Jagadguru gave detailed answers to the queries of the Teachers. The entire session can be viewed in our Youtube channel Shankara Vijayam.
During the concluding session many distinguished persons were honoured for their contribution towards Indian culture and heritage. The list includes Swami Sivayogananda, Dr. C.L.Ramakrishnan, Hon’ble Justice Sri R.S.Ramanathan, Secretary of Vivekananda Educational Society besides Principals of several important Schools in Tamil Nadu. This includes Principals of Bhavans Rajaji Vidyashram, Hindu Senior Secondary School, SRDF Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Chennai and Amirta Vidyalaya, Coimbatore. They were blessed with a Rudraksha / Spatikamala , a shawl and a citation by the Jagadguru. The Workshop concluded with the recitation of Thotakashtakam.
Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal
(35th Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
Jayanthi Satsangh
Conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
From Saturday 5th December to Sunday 13th December 2020 daily at 5.30 via Microsoft Teams App
| Date | Programme Details |
|---|---|
| 13th December 2020 | 4.00 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 4.20 pm – Sri Panduranga Bhaktha Vijayam – A Music discourse by Sri Sattanatha Bhagavathar & Party 6.00 pm – Concluding Day Sadas Birudavali & Samarpanam Welcome Address Jayanthi Address by Swami Sri Omkarananda 7.40 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 12th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Sri Panduranga Bhaktha Vijayam – A Music discourse by Sri Sattanatha Bhagavathar & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 11th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Sri Panduranga Bhaktha Vijayam – A Music discourse by Sri Sattanatha Bhagavathar & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 10th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Sri Panduranga Bhaktha Vijayam – A Music discourse by Sri Sattanatha Bhagavathar & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 9th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Bhajans by Sri Sattanatha Bhagavathar & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 8th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Bhajans by Shenkottai Sri Hari & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
| 7th December 2020 | 5.30 pm – Veda Parayanam (Live from Sringeri) 5.50 pm – Bhajans by Mayur Davay & Party 7.15 pm – Narration of Teachings & Anecdotes from the Life of Jagadguru 7.30 pm – Discourse by Swami Vidyashankara Saraswathy |
Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal
(35th Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
Aradhana Satsang
Conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
Programme on Thursday 10th September, 2020 relayed via Microsoft Teams App
| Time | Programme Details |
|---|---|
| 6.30 pm | Invocation by Kumari T. Bharathi |
| 6.45 pm | “Bhaja Govindam” Special address by Sri P.V. Rajaraman |
| 8.45 pm | Vote of Thanks |
| 8.50 pm | Mangalam |
Join and be Blessed
Guidelines to join the programme
1. Those who are joining by cellphone alone are required to download the Microsoft Teams App. After downloading the App, one had to sign in by giving email id and a password created by you for using the App. It is only for the first time. Afterwards, one can join the program by tapping just the link.
2. Those who are using the laptop can click the link below to join the Satsangh. No need to download the Microsoft Teams App.
3. To join today’s programme click here
4. Please note that the link will change everyday and we will update the link given above everyday.
5. Helpline numbers 73387 99415 / 99406 33490 / 97899 99160
With the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
(Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
a Satsangh has been arranged to mark the Vardhanti of
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
(Successor Designate to Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
Special Programmes from 22 July 2020 to 30 July 2020 at 6.30 pm IST. Relayed via Microsoft Teams App.
| Date | Programme Details |
|---|---|
| 22nd to 26th July | Sri Rama – An Embodiment of Dharma A special discourse by Pravachana Thilakam Dhamal Sri S. Ramakrishnan |
| 27th July | Guru Mahima A lecture by Sri P.V. Rajaraman (Professor – Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai) |
| 28th to 30th July | Values of Life as expounded in Periyapuranam A discourse by Sri R.B.V.S. Manian (former VHP leader) |
For Sri Sannidhanam Vardhanti Satsangh Invitation, please click here.
Guidelines to join the programme
1. Those who are joining by cellphone alone are required to download the Microsoft Teams App. After downloading the App, one had to sign in by giving email id and a password created by you for using the App. It is only for the first time. Afterwards, one can join the program by tapping just the link.
2. Those who are using the laptop can click the link below to join the Satsangh. No need to download the Microsoft Teams App.
2. To join today’s programme click here
3. Please note that the link will change everyday and we will update the link given above everyday.
4. Helpline numbers 73387 99415 / 99406 33490 / 97899 99160
SRI SHANKARA JAYANTHI PROGRAMMES
conducted with the blessings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal
(Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamigal
(Successor Designate to Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham)
Programme from 14th April, 2020, 6.30 pm IST
Daily Parayanam of Sri Adishankara Bagavathpadal’s Ashtothra Shathanamavali
With explanations of meaning by – Brahmasri Dr. C. Hariharan, (Madras Sanskrit College).
Recitation of Sri Thotaka Ashtakam followed by Special Programmes (mentioned below).
The programmes are conducted online via WEBEX platform. The user id is 918371350 and the password is JagadguruKrupa. Please note that in the password J and K are in capital letters. Users have to download the WebEx app, if not done before. The programme starts at 6.30 pm and please log in from 6.20 pm onwards. For any assistance, please contact Sri Sushruth Vinayak +91 91762 58275 OR our office +91 63825 34599
Special Programmes
| Date | Programme Details |
|---|---|
| 14th April | Bhajans by Dr. R. Ganesh and Party |
| 15th April | Bhajans by Mayur Davey |
| 16th to 17th April | Discourse by Smt. Prema Krishnamurthy on “Samanya Dharma” |
| 18th April | Bhajans by Kumari S. Hemavathi and S.Narayani |
| 19th April | Bhajans by Sri. Sattanatha Bagavathar |
| 20th to 21st April | “Sri Adishankara – The Greatest Saint” A discourse by Swami Ramakrishnananda (President, Chinmaya Mission, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu) |
| 22nd April | “Sri Adishankararum Desa Bhakthiyum” A talk by Sri L.Ganesan (Former Member of Parliament) |
| 23rd April | “Sri Adishankara – The Greatest Philosopher” A talk by Dr. Vempaty Kutumba Sastry (Former Vice-Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi) |
| 24th to 28th April | Sri Adishankara’s Vivekachoodamani A discourse by Swami Sivayogananda (President, Chinmaya Mission, Madurai, Tamil Nadu) |
| 29th April | Bhajans by Sringeri Sri Harish Bhat |
| 30th April to 4th May | Discourse by Brahmasri Sriram Ganapatigal |
| 5th May | Veena Recital by Smt Suguna Varadarajan |
| 6th May | Bhajans by Sri Sridhat and Party |
| 7th May | Question and answer session with Brahmasri Sriram Ganapadigal To lead a life based on the teachings of Sri Adishankara |
| 8th to 10th May | Lecture series by Brahmasri K.L. Srinivasan (Well known commentator) on Sri Adishankara and His compositions |
| 11th to 16th May | Sri Adishankara’s Sri Dakshinamurthy Stotram Discourse by Brahmasri B. Sundarakumar (Renowned exponent on Shastras and Puranas) |
| 17th May | Bhajans by Shenkottai Sri Hari Bhagavathar |
| 18th May | Bhajans by V. Karthik Gnaneshwar |
| 19th May | Bhajans by renowned Vidwan Sri Soundararaja Bhagavathar |
| 20th to 25th May | Sri Shankara Digvijayam A special discourse by Brahmasri K.L. Srinivasan (Chairman, Surabharathi Sanskrit and Cultural Foundation, Bengaluru) |
| 26th May | Sri Adishankara For Common Man A lecture by Sri A.Ramaswamy, I.A.S. (Retd.) followed by Q&A session |
| 27th May | Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Sanyasa Ashrama Sweekara Day Former Personal Assistant to the Jagadguru Sri K.M.Balasubramaniam participates |
| 28th May to 29th May | A unique programme – Life based on Sastraic Teachings |
| 30th May | Sri Adishankara – An ocean of compassion A Talk by Swami Atmapriyananda (Vice – Chancellor, Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda University, Belur) |
| 31st May | Acharya Upasanam – Glory of Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal A discourse by Pujyasri Swami Omkaranandaji (Swami Chidbhavananda Ashram, Theni, Tamil Nadu) Special Address by Dr. V.R. Gowrishankar (Administrator and CEO, Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham) Musical Samarpanam mainly based on the compositions of Sri Adishankara by Sri R. K. Shriramkumar and party Please note that the programme starts at 6.15 pm |
With the benign blessings and directions of Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharyas, the Foundation is engaged in Annadhana Seva to those who are affected by the present scenario. We have helped around 15,000 people as of 10th May 2020. We are continuing to identify and help the most deserving people.
If you would like to participate in this noble cause, you can contribute to the Foundation. All donations are exempt under 80G of Income Tax Act. More importantly, all donors will receive Prasadams blessed by the Jagadgurus.
Bank Details of the Foundation:
Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation
Indian Overseas Bank, Besant Nagar Branch
SB Account No: 025801000055555
IFSC : IOBA0000258