Udupi: 'Vishveshateertha Swamiji Asset to Hindu Community'
 
Report & Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
With Inputs from Ashish Rao
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
 
Udupi, Dec 10: Swami Suyatindrateerta said that Vishveshateerta Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt is an asset to the Hindu community, while speaking at the inauguration of Virat Abhinandana programme that comprises educational, social, religious and cultural events, here on Friday December 10.
 
Drawing comparisons between Swami Vyasaraja, who was one of the most important sages in history, and Swami Vishveshateertha, he said that the latter has been following the spiritual path of Swami Vyasaraja. By organising the Bhakti Namana programme, the followers of Vishveshteertha Swamiji are acting on the spiritual teachings preached by the latter, he said.
 
‘Despite Vishveshateerta Swamiji’s advancing age, he has been covering the length and breadth of our country, in order to create awareness on Hinduism. The community acknowledges the spiritual contributions of Swami Vishveshateerta,’ added Swami Suyatindrateerta.

Both Pejawar and Mantralaya Mutts have shared close relations over the past many years, he said, and honoured Swami Vishveshateerta by draping a shawl and presenting flowers and fruits.
 
Swami Suyatindrateerta also emphasized on Swami Vishveshateerta’s social concern of the downtrodden and Dalits in the society.
 
Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji, speaking on the occasion, said that Virat Abhinandana Samavesh is not merely a Samavesh, but a mass prayer for global peace. The prayers are offered through Vedic rites to seek divine grace, he added.

Swami Laxmivarateerta of Shiroor Mutt, Swami Sugunendrateerta of Puttige Mutt and VHP international president Ashok Singhal were present..
 
MLA K Raghupati Bhat welcomed the gathering. H K Suresh Acharya compered the programme. Chief secretary Raghavendra Acharya proposed the vote of thanks.
 

Virat exhibition
 
Virat exhibition of pictures of Swami Vishveshateerta right from his childhood to present is under way at Geeta Mandir, here. The exhibition will conclude on Sunday December 12.
 
Swami Sugunendrateerta of Puttige Mutt inaugurated the Virat exhibition here on Friday December 10.
 
Sri Vishveshateerta Swamiji had tears in his eyes when he viewed his pictures at the exhibition.
 
MLA Raghupati Bhat, chief secretary Raghavendra Acharya, Vasudev Bhat, photographer Arunachalam Hebbar were present at the occasion.

Pejawar Swamiji Oversees 108 Yajnas, a first in India
 
As part of the 80th birthday celebrations of Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji, the temple square, also called as the ‘Rathabeedi,‘ wore a rare look. For the first time in India, on the inaugural day of the three-day event, 108 Yajnas were arranged around the temple premises. Pujas were performed to the Fire God or ‘agni’ by more than 300 Brahmin pundits.

The Yajnas began at 7 am. As Yajnas are said to be very auspicious and performed to seek the Lord’s blessings couples had booked their places with some of the pundits and participated in the proceedings.

Incidentally, although it had rained in the surroundings of the Mahayaga venue, it did not rain till all the Vedic rites were completed. However, no sooner was it over, than it rained, probably to convey that God was pleased with the celebrations that were held for global peace.
 
Four-hundred-thirty-two Vedic celebrants from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh participated in Mahayaga that was witnessed by Swami Vishveshateerta.
 
The concluding ceremony of Mahayaga was held under the leadership of Laxmivarateerta of Shiroor Mutt and Swami Suyatindrateerta of Mantralaya Mutt.
 
VHP International president Ashok Singhal was also present on the occasion.
 

Health camp inaugurated
 
Swami Vishveshateerta inaugurated a health camp that was organized at Sri Krishna clinic here, organized as part of Virat Abhinandana programme on Friday.
 
MLA Raghupati Bhat, Dr Ravichandra Ucchil, Dr Ashok Kumar Y G and others were present.