K.A.Viswanathan
The ten day Sri Sankara Jayanthi celebration commenced at the Sri Sankara Mattam at Matunga in Central Mumbai . It is the only temple which is fully dedicated to Adi Sankara and has his idol as the main deity celebrated the Sankara Jayanthi in a befitting manner.
Starting with Mahanyasa Rudra Japam and homam, Navavarana Pooja, , beeja danam , Anna dhanam which was followed by Abhishekam( bathing of the idol) with holy water. In the evenings there will be daily discourses on “Sankara Vijayam”- the history of Adi Sankara , by noted Vedic scholar Sri Neela Bala Sarma from Tamil Nadu. The idol was taken around the area in procession with the beating of drums and Vedic recitation by Vedic scholars.
Adi Shankara was born around 2500 years ago was an Indian Hindu philosopher and theologian whose teachings had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism. Also known as Shri Adi Shankaracharya and Bhagavatpada Acharya (the guru at the feet of Lord), he was a religious reformist who critiqued the rituals-oriented schools of Hinduism and cleansed the Vedic religious practices of ritualistic excesses.
Adi Shankara is best remembered for his remarkable reinterpretations of Hindu scriptures and his commentaries on the Vedic canon (Brahma Sutras, Principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita). He was an exponent of the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy which refers to the recognition that the true Self, Atman, is the same as the highest Reality, Brahman. His teachings on the philosophy have tremendously influenced various sects of Hinduism and have contributed to the development of the modern Indian thought.
He was born in a very poor family in a village named Kaladi in Kerala. The great Saint Adi Shankaracharya, had travelled to Kashmir, more than two millenniums ago and spread the Vedic message of truth, oneness & harmony. He lived for 32 years and with in that spread Hindu dharma across the length and breadth of the county and established four Matthams.
