H.H.Srimad Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji, Patta Shishya of Mathadipathi H.H.Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji arrived in Bangalore on 18^th July from His Hubli Camp for the Chathurmasa at around 8.30 PM and was accorded a rousing reception at the Bangalore Sri Kashi Math in Malleswaram. This is the first time that Bangalore is witnessing a Chathurmasa by H.H.Swamiji after the Punar Prathistha of the deities of the Kashi Math Samsthan.

The following is a brief report of the events that took place during the Chathurmasa.

Punya Thithi of Srimad Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji was observed on 23^rd July. At 7.30 PM on that day  there was a memorable Swarna Garuda Vahana Pooja  to the Deities of the Samsthan by H.H. Swamiji followed by Guru Guna Gana and Ashirvachan by Swamiji.

Chathurmasa Vratha Sweekar by Swamiji was on 27^th July starting with Sanidhya Havana Poornahuti and Mruthika Pooja rituals followed by Mudra Dharana by Swamiji to the Shishya Varga.

In the evening, Anugraha Pravachana by Swamiji dealt on the signifance of the Chathurmasa Vratha and it’s attendant benefits to the Samaj.

The customary monthly Sathya Narayana Pooja at the Math on 28^th July was blessed by H.H.Swamiji. The day also saw the commencement of a 8 day Rik Samhitha Yaga with the Poornahuthi on 4^th Aug at the Holy Hands of H.H.Swamiji. Also on 4^th Aug, a unique All India Bhajana Sammelana was held when the convenor Sri Puttur Narasimha Nayak explained the rationale behind the traditional method of singing Bhajans as per the Madhwa Haridasa Sampradaya. This was held in the auspicious presence of H.H. Swamiji who blessed the gathering.

Nagapanchami as well as the Punya Thithi of Srimad Madhavendra Thirtha Swamiji was observed on 11^th Aug. The same day also marked the commencement of a 7 day and night Akhanda Bhajana Sapthaha in which Bhajana Mandalis from Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kerala and Mumbai participated. The highlight of the programme was a traditional Bhajana as per the Varkari Sampradaya by a Varkari group from Mumbai. The Bhajana Sapthaha concluded on 18^th Aug.

H.H.Swamiji distributed free Scholarships to deserving students given every year by the Sri Parthasarathi charitable trust of the Samsthan Sri Kashi Math on 25^th Aug.

From 19^th Aug to 25^th Aug Parayana and Vyakhyana of Sri Vishnu Purana was conducted by Vedamurthi Vasudevabhat and Vidvan Dhananjaya Acharya respectively.

On Rig Upakarma day on 20^th Aug, Shishya Varga was fortunate to wear the sacred Yajnopavita through the Holy Hands of H.H.Swamiji.

The 101^st Ashrama Sweekar Day of Parama Poojya H.H.Srimad Sukruthindra Thirtha Swamiji was observed on 24^th Aug. Sri Maha Vishnu Havana was also conducted on the same day by Vedamurthi Yogish Bhat and other Vaidiks. H.H. Swamiji offered the Poornahuthi.

On Sunday 25^th Aug, the routine monthly Sathya Narayana Pooja was held when H.H. Swamiji blessed the gathering.

On 28^th Aug, Sri Krishna Janmashthami observed in the Math. At the Sri Parthsarathi Mandir of the Math, Tulasidala was offered through Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama and Krishna Asthothara. Arghya was offered after Chandrodaya.

Sri Narasimha Havana was concluded on 31^st Aug by Vedamurthi Padmanabha Bhat and other Vaidiks. H.H.Swamiji offered the Poornahuti.

Sri Srinivasa Mahatmya Parayana and Vyakhyana were conducted from 1^st Sep to 7^th Sep by Vedamurthi Kalyanapura Sudhir Bhat and Dr. Mhalgi Ramacharya respectively. On 7^th Sep, a Mulamanthra Havana was conducted by Vedamurthi Kalyanpur Ramachandra Bhat and other Vaidiks. Poornahuti was offered on 7^th Sep by H.H. Swamiji.

Sri Ganesh Chaturthi was observed with pomp and gaiety for five days from 9^th Sep to 13^th Sep. Ganesha Idols were consecrated both at the Math in the Swamiji hall as well as at the branch Math on ground floor. On all the days Shishya Varga offered different types of Poojas at both places. Ganesha Visarjana took place on 13^th evening after a ceremonial procession through the nearby streets in Malleswaram. Unique feature this year was immersion of the idols in a specially constructed pond in the Math premises.

Traditional Prostapadi Bhagavatha Sapthaha was held from 10^th Sep to 16^th Sep, when Parayana was by Vedamurthi Harisrinivas Bhat and Vyakhyana by Vidwan Madhusudhana Acharya. A three day long  Dashama Skanda Havana was concluded on 15^th Sep by Vedamurthi Thrivikrama Bhat and others when Poornahuti was offered by H.H. Swamiji.

Anantha Chathurdashi (Nopi) was observed with the traditional decoration of the deity both in the Math in the Swamiji Hall as well as in the branch Math.

Thursday 19^th Sep saw concluding ritual of Mruthika Visarjana by H.H.Swamiji followed by Seemollanghana and Anugraha Ashirvachana by H.H. Swamiji.

This is was the formal conclusion of Chathurmasa Vratha of H.H. Swamiji at the end of Four Pakshas or fortnights. In his Ashirvachana Swamiji blessed all the Shishyavarga who came not only from every corner of Bangalore but also from Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kerala and Mumbai Etc..

I have highlighted here only the special events which took place one after another in which thousands of people took active part. Of course, the usual Trikala Poojas were conducted every day by H.H. Swamiji with the traditional Alankara and other rituals from morning 7 AM to evening 10 PM.

On every Saturday Evening Bhagvad Gita Satsangs are being conducted where H.H.Swamiji blesses devotees with the Ashirvachana. Also in the evening people came for Bhet of H.H. Swamiji and for receiving the blessings.  Every evening children attending the function are blessed by the swamiji with the Prasad of fruits.

The camp of H.H.Swamiji will continue till 20^th Nov with the calendar till then being packed with many more events. Particular mention must be made of Navarathri when Vahana Poojas will be conducted. A traditional Digvijaya procession is planned for Saturday 9^th Nov. H.H.Swamiji will bless the Shishyavarga on Sunday 10^th Nov in the evening.

In conclusion this camp of H.H.Swamiji and the Chathurmasa has been of great value to the Shishyavaraga in Bangalore. Particularly the young people attending could witness for perhaps the first time what Trikala Pooja by Swamiji means. H.H.Swamiji has time and again stressed the need for our people to regularly observe wholeheartedly our traditional practices of Sandhya Vandana, Tulsi Pooja Etc..

People also benefited through the number of Havans, Puranavyakyana Etc., by learned Vidwans.

It can definitely be said that programmes so far have been intensive and meaningful. In addition to the feast for the ears and eyes, it has also been a feast for the tongue and the stomach, as the traditional Prasad for which Sri Kashi Math is well known is being served regularly.

Date:24-09-2013                                                V. M.Pai