Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamanaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri

Sri Durgamba Rathotsava

March 10, 2009

Jagadguru worshipping goddess Durga on rathotsava day

The Rathotsava of Goddess Durga, the guardian-deity of the South installed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, took place on March 5th. The Jagadguru Shankarcharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji offered a special worship to Goddess Durga at noon. This year, a new Ratha was offered at the shrine and the Rathotsava took place in the Jagadguru’s presence with great fervor and was attended by thousands of devotees. As part of the dedication of the new Ratha, a Shatachandi Mahayaga was performed with the Poornahuti happening a day prior to the Rathotsava in the Jagadguru’s divine presence.

The rathotsava of goddess durga in the new ratha in the presence of the jagadguru

For the protection of the righteous ones (committed to dharma), for the destruction of the unrighteous ones (follow adharma), and for the establishment of dharma I take birth in every age. Bhagavan Sri Krishna on Significance of God
O devotee, (with the mind) fixed upon the lotus feet of the Guru! May you soon be free from Samsara. Through the control of the senses and the mind, you shall behold the Lord indwelling in your heart! Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada on Mohamudgara
Have firm faith in God, his words and his servants. Have staunch belief in your religion and in dharma. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
An ideal disciple will indeed act as per the Guru’s instructions and not give place to thoughts as “Is it possible for me to do as he says? Shall I try something else?” If we follow our Guru’s instructions, it does not mean that we are unintelligent. It only implies that we have surrendered for our own good to a power superior to us. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
If we poke our nose into matters that do not concern us, it is we who lose our precious time. Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God's Names