TOURS

I. THE FIRST PONTIFICAL TOUR

Acharyal's first pontifical tour was confined to South India. He started on His tour with a visit to Kalasa on the 14th of March 1956. Thereafter, He travelled to numerous places in South Kanara and Kerala and concluded the first lap of His journey at Kalady, the birth place of Bhagavatpadal. Here He spent the two months of Chaturmasyam and continued to stay on till the conclusion of Navarathri. He then proceeded along the coast of Kerala down to Cape Comorin, where He offered worship at the shrine of the Kanyakumari Amman. The next stage of His tour, till the Chaturmasyam of 1957, comprised numerous villages and towns in the Tirunelveli District of Madras State. The two months halt for Chaturmasyam and the subsequent Navarathri celebrations during 1957 took place at Courtallam which is famous for its waterfalls. His Holiness then toured the villages of Madurai and Ramnad Districts and visited Rameswaram, returning to Kalady once again for the Chaturmasyam of 1958. The Navarathri that year was celebrated at Coimbatore. His Holiness then toured in the Districts of Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore and halted at Salem for the Navarathri celebrations of 1959. While His Holiness was camping in the village of Ayalore on the northern bank of the Akhanda Cauveri for Chaturmasyam, several disciples represented to Him the need for an organisation with the avowed object of propagating the tenets of Advaita philosophy and of generally stimulating a spiritual renaissance in India. To this end they also suggested the starting of a journal. Thus were born, respectively, with His Holiness's blessings, the Akhila Bharata Sankara Seva Samithi and the journal "Sri Sankara Kripa."

ties of the Math in the field of traditional Sanskrit learning. The conversation then turned to current events and the state of the contemporary world. Acharyal said that there was no conflict between religion and science, and that if the utilisation of scientific knowledge was based on the ethical and moral values inculcated by religion, then science would serve mankind, instead of destroying it.

"How is peace to be maintained in this world?" asked Mr. Bunker.

Replied His Holiness,"War can never bring about permanent peace. Every act of wrong and cruelty will bring about a wrong and cruel consequence. Birth is not the beginning of existence nor death its end. One has to be born again and again to reap the rewards of past acts. If this is realised by the leaders, then they will think twice before embarking on destructive acts."

Mr. Bunker was deeply impressed by the visit, and particularly by Acharyal's practical approach to the problems of the present.

His Holiness left Boag Road for Navasuja, the residence of Sri Vaidya Subramania Iyer in Raja Annamalaipuram on the 5th of September. Navarathri was celebrated there with great pomp and circumstance. Towards the end of the year Acharyal visited the sacred shrine of Tirupathi where He was received with the honours, including a palanquin procession. He conducted a Vidvat Sadas there, under the auspices of the temple committee. Early in 1961, He travelled to Kancheepuram and worshipped at the numerous shrines of that famous city.

It was His Holiness's wish that the city of Madras, should have a Math building consistent with a large number of followers. He therefore purchased a house with sufficient ground around it in Venkatanarayana Road in T. Nagar and formed a committee of local disciples for its management. Acharyal stayed in Madras for nearly eight months, and yet towards the end of His stay devotees felt that His stay was so short!

From Madras, He proceeded to the Sirkars in Andhra. In Guntur, He laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Shankara Math. A notable visit was to Srisailam where He personally performed the Puja of Sri Mallikarjuna and also inaugurated the renovation of the temple. After an extensive tour of other places in Andhra, He returned to Bangalore on the 26th July, 1961,where He spent the next few months till the end of Navarathri.

That particular year was considered to be inauspicious and full of evil portent because eight planets had concentrated themselves in a single house. To ward off the evil aspects of this confluence, an 'Atirudra Maha Yaga' had been arranged in the village of Rudrapatna on the banks of the Cauveri. His Holiness was present during the twelve days of the Yaga and supervised the conduct of the ceremonies. Similarly, under His directions and benediction, a Navagraha Yagna was celebrated in the sacred precincts of Navapashana in the Ramanathapuram District.

From Rudrapatna, Acharyal proceeded to Mysore where He received due honours at the hands of His disciple, the Maharaja of Mysore. From Mysore, He went to Bangalore where He performed Shivarathri. In March 1962, in order to fulfil commitments He had already made, He returned to Madras to install and consecrate the idol in the Ananthapadmanabhaswami temple in Adyar. Having fulfilled this commitment He travelled to Trichirappalli and Salem. In the latter city He inaugurated the Shankaralaya which had been renovated under His instructions. He reached Sringeri on the 9th of July, 1962. Thus, the first tour of His Holiness in South India occupied nearly 6½ years.

II. SECOND PONTIFICAL TOUR (Concluding with visit to Madras city in September 1965.)

SHORT STAY IN SRINGERI

His Holiness's stay in Sringeri was short and was interrupted by several journeys to places nearby. The Chaturmasyam and Navarathri of 1962 were held in Sringeri. Acharyal undertook the construction of the front Gopuram of the Sharadambal temple. In addition, He had a new guest house constructed for distinguished visitors. This was called Shankara Krupa and was opened by the Maharaja of Mysore. In the third week of October, He left Sringeri and travelled in Shimoga district. He thereafter proceeded to the famous pilgrim centre of Gokarna where He personally performed Puja at the temple. He also visited Goa and returned to Sringeri on the third of January, 1963. The last week of February 1963 was full of activity in Sringeri. The Kumbhabhisheka in the newly constructed shrines was conducted in the correct traditional manner. A Sahasrachandi Homa was also performed in order to ensure peace in the world. No sooner were these functions over than His Holiness again started on His travels.

He came to Bangalore on the 3rd of June, 1963 and opened the Sri Chandrasekara Bharathi Kalyana Mandapam next to the Shankara Math and also took part in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Academy for higher sanskrit studies which had been started several years previously by our Parameshti Acharyal. The Chaturmasyam and Navarathri of 1963 were celebrated in Sringeri.

Early in 1964, Acharyal decided to conduct Koti Archana to Sharadambal. This took more than a month and at its conclusion there was an assemblage of scholars and pandits.

MEETING OF SRINGERI AND DWARAKA SHANKARACHARYAS AT BANGALORE

In April 1964, Acharyal started again from Sringeri on His second long Vijaya Yatra. He made a brief halt at Shimoga where He donated a sum of Rs. 2,000 for the construction of a Shankara Math and then proceeded to Bangalore. During this stay the Jagadguru of Dwaraka met our Acharyal.

TOUR IN THE SOUTH

From Salem, He journeyed to Kalady via Palghat so as to be present in person there for the celebration of Shankara Jayanthi. Acharyal's presence in Kalady was availed of for conducting several learned discourses and also Dharma Upanayanam. On the 16th of May 1964, Acharyal laid the foundation stone of a hall in memory of Shankara Bhagavatpadal under the auspices of the Shankara Educational Trust. After a month's sojourn in Kerala, He returned to Coimbatore in June. He spent a month there, and thereafter, travelling by slow stages, visited numerous villages in Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli Districts, and reached Courtallam on the evening of the 23rd of July,1964. He spent the Chaturmasyam in Courtallam. Navarathri was celebrated in Kallidaikurichi. In October and November, His Holiness visited several villages in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts and reached Trivandrum on the 25th of November. The Maharaja of Travancore had earlier come to Courtallam during the Chaturmasyam to pay respects, and had then requested Acharyal to visit Trivandrum and conduct a Chandi Yagna. It was partly in fulfilment of this promise that Acharyal went to Trivandrum. The Yagna was celebrated. His Holiness also laid the foundation stone of the proposed Shankara Math.

Acharyal's next major halt was at Rameswaram in the beginning of February 1965.

He came in a special boat from Mantapam to Pamban and reached Rameswaram on the 2nd of February. On the 3rd, He bathed in the sacred Sarva Theertham, and performed Puja in the Sringeri Math, which had been established many years previously. Then Acharyal personally performed Puja at the Ramanathaswamy temple in accordance with His ancient privilege to do so. On the 4th, He went to Setu and determined the exact spot of confluence of the Ratnakara and Mahodadhi which He consecrated as a sacred bathing place.

His Holiness left Rameswaram on the 5th of February, 1965 and reached Palani on the 10th. There He declared open a Dharmasala which had been constructed by the late M.N. Ramaswami Iyer. He visited the sacred shrine of Lord Subramanya on the hill and personally performed Abhisheka and Puja to the deity. He reached Madurai on the 18th and stayed there for a little over a month. His stay in that historical city was marked by two special incidents. One was the visit of Sri Niranjana Deva Theertha, the head of the Govardhana Peeta of Puri. The other important event at Madurai was the performance of the Sahasra Chandi Yagna which attracted thousands of devotees from the city and surrounding villages.

SHANKARA JAYANTHI (1965) AT KALADY —MEETING OF THE THREE ACHARYAS

His Holiness left Madurai on the 21st of March,1965 and reached Kalady on the 26th in time for the celebration of the Shankara Jayanthi. This occasion was made memorable by the meeting of the three Shankaracharyas of Sringeri, Dwaraka and Puri. This meeting naturally attracted vast crowds and the Chandi Yagna and Vidvat Sadas held on the occasion will rank among the great events in the history of Hindu revival.

KUMBHABHISHEKA AT NERUR

His Holiness left Kalady on the 11th of May 1965 and after visiting several places in the Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai Districts went to Nerur, early in July, for the Kumbhabhisheka of the Ishwara temple in front of the Samadhi of Sri Sadashiva Brahmendral. In accordance with the instruction which had been given by Brahmendral during his life time, a Shiva Linga had been brought from Benaras and installed near the site of the Samadhi. The Kumbhabhisheka attracted thousands of pilgrims from all over South India and was performed on 1.7.1965. Acharyal also personally performed the Puja at the Samadhi of Brahmendral.

Then Acharyal spent the Chaturmasyam of 1965 at Salem.

VISIT TO THE CITY OF MADRAS

Knowing that Acharyal was in Salem, many devotees evinced a keen desire that He should be requested to visit Madras once again. An additional reason which presented itself was the troubled state of the country at the time due to the hostilities with Pakistan and the proposal to perform an Atirudram and a Chandi Yagna for the restoration of peace. An influential committee was formed, called the Sringeri Navarathri Sahasrachandi and Atirudram Committee (SRINSA) to collect funds and to undertake the several measures necessary to honour His Holiness properly during His stay in the city and to celebrate the two Yagnas. A few persons representing this Committee proceeded to Salem and met Acharyal on the 27th of August,1965 and requested Him to honour the city of Madras with His presence and personally supervise the conduct of the proposed Yagnas. His Holiness readily agreed and said that He would come to Madras in the third week of September.

He arrived in Madras on the 20th of September.

NAVARATHRI CELEBRATIONS AT NAVASUJA

His Holiness stayed at the Sringeri Math, T.Nagar for two days. On the evening of the 22nd of September, He offered worship at the Vinayakar temple in West Annamalaipuram and at the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore. He then proceeded on foot along the streets of Mylapore and Raja Annamalaipuram to Navasuja in the latter suburb, followed by a mile-long procession of devotees, with hundreds of Ritviks chanting Mantras and to the accompaniment of Nadaswara music. It was indeed a glorious sight to see the Jagadguru winding His way amidst the milling crowd, slowly proceeding along the main streets, receiving Purnakumbha and Mangalaarati from house to house. Navasuja was decorated from end to end with arches and buntings. The two main gates, suitably festooned and lighted, were named respectively Adi Shankara Gate and Vidyatheertha Gate. In the quadrangle adjoining the main building, a huge Pandal had been erected for conducting Acharyal’s Puja and Durbar. At one end of this Pandal, three separate raised platforms had been put up. A life-size picture of Goddess Sharada adorned the central platform. The background was fully covered with a picture of Adi Shankara seated in the traditional manner with His four disciples.

The 24th to the 26th of September were sacred days, being the Aradhana days of our Paramacharyal. The special Abhisheka for the Goddess and Sharada Pratishta were performed by His Holiness on the 25th of September, the day before the commencement of Navarathri.

Never before in the annals of the city had there been a sight of equal grandeur as the Navarathri celebrations of 1965. The daily crowd literally ran into thousands and the solemnity of the occasion was emphasised every minute by the continuity of the religious functions.

Sri V. Vaidyasubramanya Iyer, one of the Secretaries of SRINSA, had the rare good fortune of leading the Jagadguru in His ceremonial dress to the Navarathri Durbar.

The daily programme included, besides Puja by His Holiness both in the afternoon and night and Durbar afterwards, Rudrabhisheka, Navavarna Chakra Puja, Sahasranama and other Archanas. The Navarathri Durbar held by His Holiness concluded on October 4th with the offering of 'Pada Kanikkai' to Him by the Maharajas of Baroda, Palitana, Travancore, Mysore, Cochin and Gwalior, besides the thousands of disciples who were present at the Durbar.

On the Vijaya Dasami Day, October 5th, an impressive procession started from Navasuja with Goddess Sharada seated in a flower bedecked palanquin, followed by His Holiness. The procession went through the four main streets of Mylapore and returned to the camp. More than ten thousand devotees joined the procession and it included Veda Parayanam, Nadaswaram music and Bhajan parties. Sri Jagadguru walked backwards all the time, facing the goddess throughout.

THE YAGNA IN 'SRINSA' COMPOUND

Opposite to Navasuja, in the SRINSA Colony, a huge Pandal was erected to perform the Sahasrachandi Mahayagna. The Yagnasala had four gates named respectively Sringeri, Dwaraka, Badri and Puri gates. On these decorated gates were written respectively the four Mahavakyas from the four Vedas. In the centre of the Yagnasala and within a special enclosure ten Homa Kundas and a main Peetam were constructed.Two big portraits (symbolic representation) of Chandika Devi were kept at an elevated place within the enclosure.

Acharyal inaugurated the great Sahasrachandi Mahayagna on September 30th, in the presence of thousands of devotees who had come from all over the city and the suburbs.

At noon on October 4th the Purna Ahuti was performed in the holy presence of Jagadguru.

CONCLUDING WEEKS IN MADRAS

The next important ceremony which was conducted under Acharyal’s personal guidance was the Atirudram to Lord Shiva. The sacrifice concluded with the final oblation on October 23rd which was Deepavali day.

Alongside the Ati Rudram, between the 13th and 23rd of October, a series of special Archanas and Yagnas were performed, important among them being Shiva Sahasranama Koti Archana, Vishnu Sahasranama Laksharchana followed by Homa, Sri Sukta Japa and Homa, Lakshmi Sahasranama Japa and Padma Homa, the latter being a very rare ceremony for which a thousand hundred lotus flowers were collected from all over the State. On the 22nd of October, His Holiness performed Kanakabhisheka to Sharadambal .Pure gold coins with the Sharada's image inscribed on them were used for this purpose. A Vidvat Sadas was also organised between the 20th and 22nd, in which several Pandits participated.

As a fitting finale to the several religious celebrations lasting for over a month, the citizens of Madras gathered in their thousands to pay homage to His Holiness on the occasion of His 49th birthday. Sri Jayachamaraja Wodeyar the then Governor of Madras, presided. A happy feature of the evening's function was His Holiness's donation of the gold coins with which He had performed the Kanakabhisheka to Goddess Sharada together with a sum of Rs. 5,000/— to the National Defence Fund. These were received in person by the then Chief Minister of Madras.

The crowning event of the day and indeed of the whole month of religious performances and festivities was the announcement by Sri Vaidyasubramanya Iyer, amidst spontaneous applause from the assembled devotees, of the gift of the plot of land where the Sahasrachandi and Atirudram Yagnas had been held for the construction of a public prayer and discourse hall. In making this announcement, Sri Iyer said that it was his intention to name the proposed hall 'The Sringeri Jagadguru Pravachana Mandiram'.

During the remainder of His stay in the city, His Holiness was kept constantly busy visiting shrines, laying the foundation-stone of the Sharada temple at the Indian Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kodambakkam, installing the Utsava Murthis in the Jalakanteswarar temple in the I.I.T. campus, conducting the Kumbhabhisheka at the Bhavani Shankar temple Anakaputtur, near Pallavaram and shifting camps from suburb to suburb at the insistent request of devotees so that none should feel disappointed.

Before leaving the city, He laid the foundation-stone of the Pravachana Mandapam mentioned above. On the 11th of December, Acharyal left for Kancheepuram.

III. KANCHEEPURAM TO GWALIOR

KANCHI TO HYDERABAD

On the way He halted for a few minutes in Porur at the W.S. Insulators Factory where He laid the foundation stone for a Ganapathi temple. It has since been built and is a landmark on the road from Madras to Poonamalli. At Kanchi, Acharyal had Darshanam at the Kamakshi, Ekambareswarar and Varadaraja shrines. His evening Puja of Sharada Chandramouleeswara in the renovated Sringeri Math attracted vast crowds. From Kancheepuram, He proceeded to Arakonam, and then halting at Pushpagiri, Cuddapah, Prodattur and Alagudda, He reached Ahobilam on the morning of the 23rd of December. There He was received at the Sri Lakshminarasimhaswami temple with due temple honours. In the afternoon Acharyal proceeded to the top of the hillock, where it is said that Sri Narasimha had manifested Himself in the pillar to Prahlada who was performing penance in a cave. From Ahobilam, He proceeded to Nandiyal and performed the evening Puja in the sacred precincts of the Bheemeshwara temple.

On the 25th, His Holiness went to Mahanandi and performed Puja to Mahanandeeshwara. From Mahanandi, He proceeded to Kurnool, where He stayed at the Ramabhatla temple. From Kurnool, He journeyed to Adoni. At both the places He was accompanied by the head of the Siddeshwari Math of Courtalam.

From Adoni, His Holiness proceeded to Alampur in Mahabubnagar District. He reached Hyderabad on the 30th of December after visiting on the way the confluence of the Tungabhadra and Krishna.

Amongst those who received the Jagadguru were Sri P.V. Narasimha Rao (Minister of Law and Endowments), Chairman of the Reception Committee, Sri K.N. Anantaraman, Chief Secretary of Andhra State and Sri Narayana Chetty Commissioner of Religious endowments.

Numerous dignitaries, including the Governor Sri Pattom Thanu Pillay, visited Acharyal during His stay in the city. On the 6th of January, Swami Chidananda of the Divine Life Society met Acharyal and also addressed a gathering at the Math. The Pada Puja was performed by Colonel Sundaram in the temple situated in the Military Station at Bolaram; the Jagadguru's visits to the Bharat Heavy Electricals, Hanuman temple in Ramanathapuram, the ancient Venkateswara temple at Sarrol nagar and to the Lakshminarayana temple at Secunderabad were interesting events during Acharyal's Hyderabad stay.

SRISAILAM

Acharyal's next important visit was to the famous shrine of Srisailam. Acharyal arrived at Srisailam on the evening of January 28, 1966. He visited the spot where Adi Shankara is said to have meditated and sat there for a long time, lost in deep contemplation. He performed the Maha Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Krishnadevaraya Gopuram of the Mallikarjuna temple on the 2nd of February. Acharyal worshipped Lord Mallikarjuna for nearly two hours, personally performing Archana to the famous Lingam.

One other significant act of His Holiness while at Srisailam was the laying of the foundation-stone of the Shankara Math building. This arose out of an unpremeditated wish of His Holiness and as a result of the munificence of the assembled devotees, it became a reality in the twinkling of an eye, as it were.

GUNTUR TO BHOPAL

His Holiness left Srisailam on the 2nd of February,1966 and travelled to Guntur via Tiripurantakam and Narasaraopet. He reached Guntur on the 5th. The Sringeri Math in Parvatipuram was the venue of Satachandi and Maharudra Yagnas. The crowning event of the Jagadguru's stay was the installation of Sharadambal deity in a shrine donated by Sri Polisetty Sitaramanjaneyulu. The Kumbhabhisheka ceremony was performed by His Holiness on the 9th of February. Sri V. Vaidyasubramanya Iyer laid the foundation-stone for the Shankara Sadan, a hall to be constructed between the newly erected Sharada temple and the already existing shrine of Adi Shankara.

There was large-scale feeding of the poor on the occasion. Laksharchana was performed to the Goddess in the evening.

The other important function at Guntur was His Holiness's special Puja during Shivarathri on the 18th of February. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of April, a Vidvat Sadas was convened under the Presidency of His Holiness. The heads of the Siddeshwari Math of Courtalam and Gayathri Peetam were also present on the occasion.

In response to the request of the Andhra Government, His Holiness then toured several villages in Andhra State in order to give an impetus to the revival of temple worship in the interior villages. He travelled through several villages in the districts of Krishna, Kammam, Warangal, Karimnagar and Nizamabad and reached Hyderabad on the 12th of May 1966. He celebrated Shankara Jayanthi in the village of Vemulavada, a place of some historical importance. Acharyal worshipped at the Rajarajeswari temple on the 26th and made suggestions for further renovation of the precincts. He also performed the Kumbhabhisheka of the Ishwara temple in the nearby village of Yallareddipeta. Travelling along the Godavari, He halted in the villages of Basar, Bhaimsa, Ganapuram, Vikshitipettai, Manacheriyal, Pellampalli and Sirpur.

In Basar, His Holiness performed Archana in the Saraswati temple with 108 silver coins. In Mancheriyal,He worshipped at the Kannikaparameswari temple and the Venkateswaraswami temple. He reached the frontier of Andhra Pradesh on the 4th of June. Here the State officials paid their respects and took leave of Him. On the other side of the border He was received by the officials of the Maharashtra Government. He reached Nagpur on the 7th June. He was taken in a grand procession around the city of Nagpur. On the 15th, He left Nagpur and proceeded to Pandurna in Madhya Pradesh to visit the spot where the river Tapti originates, after which He went to Beidul (Betul). He reached Bhopal on the 21st after halting at Hosangabad and Obaidullanganj on the way. At the entrance to the city of Bhopal, He was given a rousing reception by the citizens headed by the Governor, Sri K.C. Reddi and the Chief Minister and taken in a procession on a golden palanquin.

On the 23rd He visited the Lakshminarayana temple constructed by the Birlas, and also the Shiva temple at Lalgadi. On the 24th He visited Pipalani (the Bakhara Heavy Electrical Factory and Township) and accepted the Pada Puja and Bhiksha offered by the members of the community. He left Bhopal on the 25th and after visiting Aashta, Dewas and Indore, He reached Ujjain on the 29th of June 1966.

There He took up residence at Kaliadeh Palace which is situated 7 miles away from the city. This building was originally a Sun temple. Acharyal enjoyed His stay in the palace immensely. Apart from the glorious surroundings, He was able to take the minimum rest which His battered body was badly in need of. During the mornings He gave instruction in the Upanishads to the numerous Sanyasis and other earnest disciples who had gathered and in the evenings He found time for deep and concentrated meditation. The Government had made special transport arrangements, and people from the city flocked to see the Puja and have Darshanam of His Holiness. Once a week He gave a discourse to the general public on the lawn opposite the palace.

GWALIOR — NAVARATHRI

His Holiness left Ujjain on the last day of September 1966. At Omkareshwar He personally performed Puja to Sri Omkareshwara. At Ratlam,He was taken in procession by the citizens and the spontaneous upsurge of devotion exhibited by them was indeed a memorable sight. His Holiness reached Jhalawar on the evening of 7th October.

The city of Gwalior offered a magnificent welcome to His Holiness on the evening of October 12th. Under the patronage and personal direction of the Rajmata, a Swagat Samiti had been formed consisting of a hundred members and headed by the young Maharaja of Gwalior.

Acharyal arrived at the Sanatana Mandir at about 6 p.m. After a brief halt there, He was taken in procession to the Gorkhi Palace, a mile and a half away. Three caparisoned elephants heralded the procession, followed by twelve horses and an equal number of cows and a vast column of volunteers and Sevikas marching alongside, with the members of the committee and the citizens accompanying the palanquin on foot. The procession took two hours to wind its way through the busy thoroughfares of the city, before it reached the reception Pandal at Gorkhi palace. A crowd of nearly forty thousand thronged the precincts and listened with devotion to the Maharaja reading the address of welcome.

IV. DELHI, NEPAL, CALCUTTA

EN ROUTE TO DELHI

His Holiness travelled to Delhi from Gwalior via Agra, Bharatpur, Mathura (Brindavan), reaching New Delhi on the 7th of November. He had a crowded programme at Agra where He stayed for two days. He addressed a mammoth gathering at the premises of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha in Agra Cantonment.

At Brindavan, He was received with honours by the citizens including the members of the Municipal Council. A large number of Sanyasis and Sadhus were also present on the occasion.

His Holiness then motored to Gwalior Bhavan where He performed the Sharada Chandramouleeswara Puja at night. The next day He was taken around the temples of Mathura and the birth place of Sri Krishna. Acharyal was thrilled at the sight of Gokula and the places where the Lord disported Himself with the Gopis and exhibited His divine powers in several startling ways. On the 2nd day, His Holiness had a holy dip in the river Jamuna and visited Govardhanagiri which the Lord held aloft to ward off the flooding rain. On the final day, He delivered a special address to the devotees and Sadhus who were present.

Later, His Holiness visited the Ramakrishna Mission and delivered a sermon there on God and His mercy. He departed for Hodal in the Punjab on the evening of 4th November,1966.

DELHI

Acharyal's next important halt was at Delhi. A special Reception Committee had been formed and elaborate arrangements had been made for His stay. He arrived in Delhi on the afternoon of the 6th November. He was taken in procession and led to a special shamiana where thousands had thronged to have His Darshanam. Sri A.N. Jha, Lt. Governor of Delhi, welcomed Him in a speech in Sanskrit and the Mayor of Delhi, Sri Noorhuddin Ahmed in Urdu. Amongst others who welcomed His Holiness were Sardar Santosh Singh, Sri C.R. Pattabiraman, Sri P. Govinda Menon, Dr. K.L. Rao, Sri S.V. Krishnamoorthi Rao, Sri G.L. Goswami, Sri Jaisuklal Hathi and Dr. P.S. Lokanathan. Messages of welcome from the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister were read on the occasion. Later, the Jagadguru went on foot in a procession to the chanting of Vedic hymns to His camp in 10, Akbar Road.

A three day Rudra Yagna for bringing prosperity to the country and promoting amity between the various sections of the Indian people was initiated on the 8th November by Acharyal. It concluded on the 11th at 12 noon, synchronising with the Jagadguru's 50th birthday.

On the occasion, the President, Dr. Radhakrishnan and the Prime Minister, Smt Indira Gandhi called on Him to felicitate Him and pay their respects. There was a special meeting in the evening attended by thousands of persons and addressed by national leaders. The President expressed the hope that people in the country would follow in the footsteps of the great spiritual leader of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetam and march forward. Smt Indira Gandhi sought the blessings of the Jagadguru to give the nation sufficient strength to tide over the various problems.

DELHI — PROBLEM OF COW SLAUGHTER

At the time that Acharyal was in Delhi, the problem of cow slaughter and of enacting compulsory legislation to prevent it was agitating the country. The Shankaracharya of Puri had undertaken a fast unto death to achieve this end. Acharyal was deeply concerned both for the health and well being of the Acharya of Puri and about the violent turn that the agitation was taking in various parts of India especially in the capital city. To Him violence and compulsion are always abhorrent. He has always maintained that the Dharmic ideal applies to means as well as ends. However, in response to the demands of various devotees, He gave the following message on the subject:

Adhering correctly to the edicts of the Vedas and Sastras would be conducive to welfare and prosperity (Shreyas). No injury should be caused to any living being. Leading a life wedded to Ahimsa (non-killing) brings happiness. Among animals the cow is most helpful and useful to mankind as well as an object of supreme reverence. Protection of the cow is, therefore, an act of great merit and killing the cow is, a heinous sin. Protection of the cow is, thus, an absolute necessity. At present, various efforts at a number of places are being made to get cow slaughter banned. It is the considered opinion of the Jagadguru that the efforts being made to achieve the objective should be absolutely peaceful and should not cause even the slightest injury or harm to any one. Injury or harm to others results ultimately in difficulty and loss to the country as a whole.

In regard to the enactment of suitable legislation for this purpose, knowledgeable persons and governmental authorities concerned should jointly consider, examine and decide in what manner such a legislative measure could be brought about.

DELHI — INTERVIEWS AND MEETINGS

There was a special meeting held in Delhi to meet His Holiness at which several distinguished persons were present including the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Moraji Desai.

Chief Justice K. Subba Rao visited Acharyal and paid his homage. On the 24th when Sri K.L. Rao, Minister for Irrigation and Power visited Him, His Holiness delivered an enlightened discourse on the philosophy of the Upanishads.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan laid the foundation stone of the Shankara Advaita Ashrama, on Sunday the 20th December, in the presence of the Jagadguru. Among those who attended the function were Queen Frederica and Princess Irene of Greece. Messages sent by the Vice-President and the Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi were read out on the occasion.

A gathering of Pandits (Vidvat Sadas), was convened in New Delhi under the guidance and Presidency of His Holiness for three days from the 14th of December onwards. It was an all-India meeting of eminent scholars in the fullest sense of the term. They were welcomed by Sri S.V. Krishnamurthi Rao, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

DEPARTURE FROM DELHI

An important visit made by the Jagadguru during His Delhi stay was to Kurukshetra on the 21st of December,1966. The University authorities of the place had made elaborate arrangements for His reception. He had His holy bath in the Suryakunda and worshipped at the numerous shrines of Kuru kshetra . He also delivered an address at the University.

DELHI TO NEPAL

Leaving Delhi on the 1st of January 1967, He spent the next day at Modinagar which contains 16 temples constructed by Raja Bahadur Modi. From there, He proceeded to Meerut and Musafir Nagar. On the 5th morning He visited Haridwar, where He bathed in the Ganges. In the evening He left for Gurumukteswar and He spent two days there. He reached Moradabad on the 7th. From there He proceeded to Rampur, Bareilly and then to Shahjahanpur where He addressed the citizens and the Goraksha Mahabhiyana Samiti. His next halt was at Sitapur from where He visited the legendary Naimisaranya forest, about 20 miles away. He reached Lucknow on the 14th of January and was received with due honours by the Government authorities of U.P. The Governor of U.P. Sri Viswanath Das had several meetings with Him. He travelled to Kanpur on the 18th and stayed in the J.K Radhakrishna Mandir. His Holiness addressed several meetings in Kanpur including the Rotary Club. On the 22nd He visited the Brahmavartak Kshetra where the sage Valmiki is reputed to have performed penance. The Jagadguru's next important visit was to Ayodhya, where He was received by Sri Sitaramji Mahant at Lakshmana Villa on the banks of the river Sarayu. The next day, after the holy bath in the river, Acharyal visited the place of Rama's birth and other places of importance.

His Holiness reached Basti on the 30th of January and stayed there for two days. On the 1st of February,1967 He laid the foundation-stone for a T.B. Hospital. From Basti He journeyed to Mehndawal.

The Jagadguru departed for Gorakhpur on the 4th of February. He was received with Purnakumbha and other usual honours by Sri Hanuma Prasad Poddar and his family. He was given a rousing reception in the Gita Press Guest House where He performed the Sharada Chandramouleeswara Puja at night.

On the 7th of February, His Holiness was given an address of welcome by the staff and students of the Gorakhpur University.

He departed for Deoria on the evening of the 8th and stayed the night there at the Baba Raghavadas Degree College. On the 9th He delivered a lecture at the Deoria Town Hall where He was honoured by the elite of the town. In the afternoon He departed to Mirganj where He was received by Sri Kothari, the Chairman of the Sri Krishna Gyanodaya Sugar Works and other officers of the factory.

His Holiness halted on the 11th at Siwan at the S.K.G. Sugar Factory and then proceeded to Sonepur. During His short stay at Sonepur He visited the Hariharanath temple where elaborate arrangements had been made for the worship of the Goddess Saraswati as it was then the period of the Vasanta Panchami festival. He was then escorted by river boat, and arrived at Mahendra Ghat in Patna in the evening. On the 19th morning, He had a holy bath in the Ganges.

He then left for Buxar.

Having visited Arrah, His Holiness got back to Patna in the evening. The next afternoon He proceeded to Mokameh on the banks of the Ganges. His Holiness left for Muzafarpur on the afternoon of the 27th of February.

Having spent a few hours at Motihari, on Wednesday the 1st March, He proceeded to Lauria.

HIS HOLINESS IN NEPAL

His Holiness had a strenuous journey on the 2nd of March of 100 miles, to Hitauda. En route He was given a special reception at Raxaul at the Indian border. Sri Taraprasad Upadhyaya, Chief Administrator of Guti Samasthanam and his party welcomed Acharyal at the gateway of Nepal. A vast gathering welcomed His Holiness in a special Pandal which had been erected at Birganj in the Trijudha Bahu Urvasiya Vidyalaya. At Hitauda Acharyal was welcomed by the Principal of the Forest Rangers' Training College.

He left for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal on the afternoon of 3rd March 1967. En route, He was accorded a warm welcome by the Chairman of the Guti Trust, Sri Bada Guruja Khagendra Raj Pande, members of the Trust, local officials and devotees when He arrived at Kalanki in the evening.

After attending a function at Kalanki, His Holiness was escorted in an open car in procession to Murari Bhavan at Batiaputali. In the evening Acharyal visited the Pasupatinath temple.

The next day, that is 4th March, He again visited the Pasupatinath temple for worship, as also numerous other temples in the vicinity of the sacred Vagmati river. A Maharudra Yagna was commenced under His Holiness' guidance and supervision on the 5th. It was of five days duration. Early morning on the 5th, Acharyal proceeded to Bhaktapur where He visited the famous Dattatreya temple.

He worshipped the 'Saptamatrikas' (seven Mother Goddesses) there. Thereafter, He was taken to the Guhyeswari temple also known as the Sidheshwari temple. Next He visited the Tulajaji Mandira. In the evening He went to worship at the shrines of Buda Neelakanta temple and the Balaji Mandira. He addressed a mammoth gathering at the premises of Murari Bhavan. All the leading persons and dignitaries were present on this occasion, including the Indian Ambassador Sriman Narayan, Bada Guruji and others. Sunday the 6th March being Ekadasi was the Jagadguru's day of silence. On Monday the 7th He received a large number of visitors. In the evening He was taken to the Indian Embassy where He delivered a discourse in Hindi to the assembled gathering. The Ambassador thereafter offered Pada Puja at his residence.

The next day was spent in the usual round of receiving visitors and visiting the homes of devotees for Pada Puja. In the evening, Acharyal went to the Balaji Industrial Estate and the Museum, where He saw the vast stone idols of Lord Lakshminarayana seated on Adisesha. He then proceeded to Tribhuvan University. His Holiness was greatly impressed by the manner in which boys of eight to ten years of age chanted the Vedas. So pleased was He that He gave special presents in cash to the teachers and students. He then addressed a vast gathering in the premises of the military grounds. Thereafter He visited the Bhagavath Bhavan. His Holiness returned to Murari Bhavan after visiting the Swayambhu and the Buddhist Stupas on the hillock nearby.

The 9th was Maha Shivarathri.His Holiness went on foot to the Pasupatinath temple followed by thousands of pilgrims and devotees to the accompaniment of Vedic chant. He offered worship at the temple and partook of the Mangala Arathi. In the afternoon His Majesty the King of Nepal and the Queen visited the Jagadguru and paid their respects to Him. They held a long conversation with Him and departed after receiving blessings. Shivarathri Puja, lasting throughout the night, was performed by Acharyal in the presence of a huge gathering. Devotees had gathered from all over India on the occasion

Almost in continuation of the Shivarathri Puja, as it were, the 'Purnahuti' of the Maharudra Yagna was performed on the forenoon of the 10th in the midst of a vast and distinguished gathering which included Their Majesties and the Indian Ambassador. The King of Nepal gave a silver casket together with a silver Mandiram of Pasupatinath to His Holiness. A tiger skin and a Nepalese shawl were also presented. There was mass feeding in the afternoon. A weighty bronze bell was specially presented to the Math. It is significant that the entire expenses of the Maharudra Yagna were met by His Majesty the King His Holiness left Kathmandu on the afternoon of the 11th March.

A rare recognition was given to the visit when the Nepal Government decided that a large plaque commemorating His Holiness's visit should be suitably inscribed and kept in the Pashupatinath temple for one and all to see and recapture the thrilling memory.

JOURNEY TO CALCUTTA

His Holiness left Kathmandu on the afternoon of the 11th March for Hitauda, en route Motihari in Bihar. At Motihari He halted at the Radhakrishna Mills. On the 13th He departed for Muzaffarpur in the evening, and camped in the premises of T.R. Flour Mills, four miles away from the town. He left for Dharbhanga the next afternoon 14th, reaching the destination late in the evening. He was received with 'Poorna Kumbha' and other traditional honours by the Raja of Dharbhanga who was present throughout the evening Puja also. The next day His Holiness visited the Raja's Palace and accepted Sahasranama Pada Puja. Acharyal met the members and staff of the Chandradhari Mithila Science College and gave words of advice to them. He left for Samastipur on the evening of 15th. On the 16th His Holiness addressed a vast gathering.

His Holiness proceeded to Monghyr the next afternoon. He camped at the Bihar School of Yoga where He was received with all honours by the inmates of the Ashrama. Speaking to a distinguished audience the next day in the spacious hall of the Baijnath Goenka Dharmasala, Acharyal made a stirring appeal to those present to follow the path of Dharma as laid down by the Rishis of old. He quoted verses from the Gita showing the impermanence of the body and the eternity of the Soul within.

Subsequently, Swami Satyananda spoke a few words explaining various points in the speech of His Holiness.

The next day, the 18th, He granted interviews to several distinguished persons and left for Deogarh in the afternoon. He was welcomed by Sri Dalmia at the Chamria House. On the 19th, Acharyal visited Sri Vaidyanatha temple. The Lingam in this temple is said to be one of the famous Jyotir Lingams of India. After worshipping at the temple, the Jagadguru paid a visit to the Balaji Mandiram where Purusha Sukta and Sri Sukta Homa were conducted.

Later, Acharyal proceeded to Chittaranjan. He was received with honours at the Town Hall. Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by Sri N.K. Srinivasan of the Chittaranjan Loco Works. The next day, after morning ablutions and the granting of interviews to several officers of the Loco Works, He proceeded to Sindri. On the way He saw the Damodar Valley Project and the gigantic irrigation works and dams. He arrived at Sindri late at night in rainy weather. A large gathering was present to receive Him and He was taken in procession to the beautifully decorated Pandal in the Sindri Colony where Sri S.K. Sharma, General Manager, offered Dhuli Pada Puja. Acharyal visited the Sindri Fertiliser Works on the forenoon of the 21st. He addressed a vast gathering in the evening at the local Sriram temple. He proceeded to Durgapur on the evening of the 22nd. The next day, after visiting the Steel Works and receiving the offerings of many devotees, He left for Tarakeshwar in the evening. There He was taken in a grand procession to the accompaniment of music and Vedic recital to the Tarakeshwar Math. The next day, the 24th, He proceeded to Tarakeshwar temple. He personally performed Archana to Lord Tarakeshwar. In the afternoon there was a public reception. The Tarakeshwara Mahant introduced Acharyal to the gathering. He also presented Acharyal with a silver Trisula.

HIS HOLINESS IN CALCUTTA

His Holiness arrived in Calcutta on the 25th of March, 1967. Two days earlier, when the Jagadguru had reached Tarakeswar, a hundred families from Calcutta proceeded to that holy place in order to have an advance Darshanam of the great Guru and in order to escort Him to Calcutta. On the afternoon of the 25th a cavalcade of cars left for Calcutta. In spite of the inclement weather a very large crowd had gathered to welcome Acharyal. He was first taken to the National High School, South Calcutta, where a special reception was accorded. Later, He went in a procession in a palanquin. His Holiness's stay in Calcutta was one interminable round of visits, discourses and discussions.

On the 2nd of April His Holiness proceeded to the Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta at the invitation of the Principal. On the 3rd His Holiness had a busy day in visiting the homes of devotees and granting interviews. The next day He visited the Birla Planetarium, where Sri R. Subramaniam, Curator and Technical Director of the institution, welcomed Him and showed Him the movements of the planets in the sky. On the 8th His Holiness delivered a discourse to a crowded audience. The 9th of April was a crowded day for Acharyal. He visited several houses during the course of the day and delivered a discourse in the evening. On the 10th His Holiness visited the Andhra Association and the Mysore Association and also gave a message to the nation on the occasion of the Ugadi. The 11th of April was the day of the Aradhana of our Parameshti Acharyal.

On the 12th April 1967, His Holiness inaugurated,the Shankara Hall and Shankara Institute of Philosophy and Culture. Justice P.B. Mukherji extended on behalf of the Institute a hearty and cordial welcome to His Holiness. On the 15th a Sata Chandi Homa was started under Acharyal's personal guidance.

A Vidvat Sadas was arranged on the 17th and 18th. The participants were mainly from the Sanskrit College, Calcutta and included such eminent scholars as Sri Gowrinath Sastri and Madhusudana Bhattacharya. The 18th being the day of Ramanavami, Acharyal performed special Puja to Rama in the afternoon. At the conclusion of the Vidvat Sadas that evening, His Holiness conferred titles and gave presents. The Sata Chandi Homa which began on the 15th concluded at midday on the 19th. On April 21st, 1967 His Holiness left Calcutta.

V. CALCUTTA TO BADRINATH

TO DELHI ONCE AGAIN

According to the original programme His Holiness was to have gone to Kharagpur from Calcutta. But on arriving at the Koyla bridge the way was blocked by floods and so He had to return to Calcutta. An interesting point, however was that at Kolaghat the area was so flooded that transhipment became impossible. Work was proceeding nearby on the construction of a bridge on the river Rupnarayan. It would appear that twice that work had to be stopped due to engineering impediments. Acharyal was informed that the Engineer-in-charge and his assistants had constructed a small hut,and had installed pictures of Anjaneya, Shiva and Guru-nanak, and had been praying for success in their work. It looked as if His Holiness had to halt there just to bestow His benediction on these earnest souls! The elaborate Friday Puja was conducted there and the Jagadguru blessed the engineers and workers. In spite of the adverse weather more than 300 persons gathered to witness the Puja! His Holiness cancelled the Kharagpur programme altogether and proceeded to Burdwan on the 22nd of April where He stayed at the residence of Dr. Sailendranath Banerjee. Dr. Banerjee's wife offered to Acharyal with devotion, the sacred water that she had brought all the way from Lake Manasarovar. The next day, He proceeded to Jealgora in Dhanbad District. He left for Ranchi on the 25th where He was received with due honours by the employees of Ranchi Tool and Implements Factory. The 24th of April was the day of lunar eclipse which commenced at 3-30 p.m. and terminated at 7-18 p.m. The Jagadguru performed special rituals during this period.

On the 26th of April His Holiness visited the Hindustan Machine Tool Factory and other factories in the vicinity. He showed keen interest in the intricate machines which had been installed. Later in the evening He proceeded to Gaya. The reception accorded at Gaya to the Jagadguru was truly an impressive one. More than two lakhs of people had gathered in a vast maidan. As soon as He reached Gaya He was escorted to the public meeting. The Chief Minister of Bihar addressed the meeting and then the Jagadguru spoke and expressed His deep sympathy for the people of Bihar who were suffering for want of adequate rains. He invoked the blessings of Sri Sharada Chandramouleeswara to give unto the people peace and prosperity. On the 27th Acharyal worshipped the Vishnu Pada and Gayeswari.

The next day He visited Bodh Gaya and saw the place where Buddha received enlightenment. Mahant Sadanandaguru of Bodh Gaya and Sait Gangadar Dalmia offered Pada Puja. He proceeded to Dalmianagar in the evening after giving suitable rewards to the priests and Vidwans at Gaya. The next day, the Chairman of Rohtas Industries Limited performed special Puja and in the afternoon, the employees of Dalmia Factory received Acharyal's blessings.The Jagadguru left for Vindhyachala in the evening.

He visited Vindhyachala Nirasini temple the next morning and offered worship to the Divine Mother. He also visited the shrines of Kalikamba, Durgamba and Maheshwara.

BANARAS AND ALLAHABAD

In the afternoon, a deputation led by Sri Babulaji Dhan Dhaturya, proprietor of the Annapurna Mills Limited, Banaras waited on His Holiness and requested Him not to postpone His visit to that sacred city. Acharyal reached the Shankara Math in the Kedar Ghat in the evening. He was given a rousing reception by the citizens. After supervising the arrangements in the Math for the installation of Sri Sharada, He gave Darshanam to the many persons assembled and returned to His camp at the Annapurna Mills Limited.

On the 1st of May, His Holiness proceeded to the river Ganga very early in the morning for a bath in the holy waters. He performed His morning ablutions and prayers on the banks of the sacred river, sitting in silent contemplation for nearly three hours, lost to the world and in communion with the Infinite. Returning back to the mundane world, He went to the Shankaracharya Math at the Kedar Ghat. Thereafter He visited the residence of a number of persons in the Kshemeshwar and Hanuman Ghats ending with a visit to the Palace of the Rajamata of Burdwan, who received Him with great devotion and performed Sahasranama Pada Puja. In the evening He proceeded to Kshemeshwar Ghat where the leading Pandits of the city and elsewhere had gathered in a learned convocation. An assembly of Vedic scholars including such renowned persons like Sri Rajeswara Sastry had been specially arranged and several knotty points in the Vedas were discussed in detail. It was indeed a great sight to see His Holiness guiding these deliberations from a pedestal of infinite erudition to the delight of the assembled scholars and laymen alike. He then distributed rewards in cash to nearly 160 Vedic scholars.

On the morning of the 2nd May His Holiness visited the Dasaswamedha Ghat and after a holy bath in the river, He worshipped in the shrines of Lord Viswanatha, Annapurneswari, Dundi Vinayaka and other deities and then returned to the camp. On this second day of His Holiness's stay in Banaras, another Vidvat Sadas was convened in the premises of Annapurna Mills and like the meeting on the previous day, the discussions were at the highest level and were guided by His Holiness at each stage with His customary brilliance. After the Sadas was over, He addressed a mammoth meeting of men and women who had gathered to hear Him.

On the 3rd, He visited the Varanasiya Sanskrit University and addressed the staff. He also visited the Sangaveda Vidyalaya and the Banaras Hindu University. At the University, the Principal read an address of welcome in Sanskrit.

Thereafter in the evening, He proceeded to the palace of the Raja of Kasi at the Raja's request. The young prince offered Pada Puja. After distributing Prasada, His Holiness travelled straightaway to Allahabad and He reached late in the evening. A special shamiana had been erected and the ceremonial welcome included an array of elephants and camels.

Early in the morning of the 5th May Acharyal went to the Triveni Sangamam (the confluence of the three rivers-the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati, the last one flowing underground). He offered worship to the sacred banyan tree (Vatavriksha) and to Goddess Saraswati and other deities. Then He gave handsome presents to the priests assembled. In the evening He gave interviews to several distinguished visitors including the Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad University, the Chief Justice of the High Court, Professors of Sanskrit and others.

The next morning Acharyal once again proceeded to the Triveni to have a bath at the confluence. In the evening, His Holiness took leave of the devotees in Allahabad and proceeded to Kanpur.Then He went to Kanouj and then to Aligarh.

He left Aligarh for Delhi on the 9th of May. The citizens of Delhi were conscious of the great honour done to them in the Jagadguru agreeing to come to Delhi to celebrate the Shankara Jayanthi.

The first highlight of the visit of His Holiness this time was the Shankara Jayanthi celebration held from 10th to 14th of May, and the second was the great Vidvat Sadas held during the same five days.

The usual presents in cash and kind were distributed to the Pandits who were present and the title of 'Vidya Ratnakara' was conferred on Dr. Mandan Misra in recognition of his scholarship.

The concluding session of the Shankara Jayanthi function was addressed, among others, by Sri R.K. Khadilkar, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha and Sri K.Hanumanthiah, Chairman, Administrative Reforms Commission. At 6-30 p.m. a procession of Adi Shankara, decked in a beautiful chariot was taken around to the tune of Nadaswaram and Shenai music and Bhajan. It was a memorable event. His Holiness led the procession for some distance followed by thousands of devotees and admirers.

In spite of a tight schedule, His Holiness was able to give Darshan to hundreds of people. One of the highlights of His Holiness's stay was the President elect, Dr. Zakir Hussain calling on Him to pay respects and seek blessings.

Another notable event was the 'Dharma Upanayanam' of about thirty young boys which was done in Acharyal's immediate presence and with His blessings.

The duration of Acharyal's stay was all too brief. He left on the 16th to continue His pilgrimage to Haridwar, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In a moving farewell function two speeches were made, one by Mr. Poonacha, the Minister for Railways and the other by Dr. P.S. Lokanathan.

HIS HOLINESS IN THE HIMALAYAS

His Holiness reached Haridwar on the afternoon of the 19th of May. He was received with Purnakumbha and other ceremonial honours at the outskirts of the city and was escorted to the Harikipari where He worshipped at the Shankaracharya Math. Having addressed devotees, He returned to His camp in J.K. Home. The night Puja was performed at Bolanath Ashrama where thousands of devotees had gathered. Early morning on the 20th, His Holiness had His bath in the holy Ganges and observed silence during the day as it was Ekadasi. The next day He paid a round of visits to various institutions in the city like the Krishna Nivas Ashrama, the Ashrama of Mahamandaleswara Maheswaranandaji at Kanakal and Ayyappa Mandir and the Karnataka Dharmasala. He left Haridwar the same afternoon for Rishikesh which was reached by about 3-30 p.m. He stayed the night at the Andhra Ashrama. Sri Swami Chidananda of the Divine Life Society (Sivananda Ashrama) had arranged a public meeting. The next day, the 22nd of May, after His bath in the holy Ganges, Acharyal was taken around the Sivananda Ashram. Subsequently, He crossed the river and visited the Gita Bhavan, Paramartha Niketan, Swargashrama and other monuments of the Hindu way of life. He then returned to His camp and performed special Puja in the afternoon, it being the day of Narasimha Jayanthi.

After the distribution of Prasada the Jagadguru started on His Himalayan journey, the first step of which was Rudra Prayag. Rudra Prayag is considered to be as important a confluence of the sacred rivers as Prayag (Allahabad) in the plains. Here the Mandakini flowing from Kedarnath meets the Alakananda which flows down from Badrinath, and along with the underground Saraswati, they form a triple confluence to which immense sanctity is attributed. The rivers meet in a fierce and turbulent flow and then roll down towards the plains. There is a steep rocky crest just above the confluence and one has to go down this cliff step by step. Situated on a spacious ground above the river is the temple of Lord Rudranath, the presiding deity of Rudra Prayag. The roar of the waters sounds to the human ear like a perpetual chant of the mystic syllable OM. His Holiness performed the night Puja in the temple premises.

In the afternoon He left for Gupta Kasi which He reached by about 8 p.m. The important temple in this place is dedicated to Lord Viswanath. Acharyal worshipped Lord Viswanath and also visited the places of religious importance in the vicinity. Arrangements were then made for His departure to Kedarnath. The distance from Gupta Kasi to Kedarnath is 29 miles and has to be covered either on foot or on horse-back. The Jagadguru left on foot for Kedarnath with a pick of His camp followers. But special arrangements were made for the less able but equally eager devotees. A number of ponies and hammocks were arranged for the latter.

The trek from Gupta Kasi began on the morning of the 24th. En route the halting places are Batla on the 7th mile, Rampur on the 14th, Sitapur on the 15th, Gowri Kund on the 20th, Ram Bata on the 26th mile. It was four in the afternoon when Rampur was reached. After ablutions, Puja and Biksha there, the journey was resumed and Gowrikund was reached at nine at night. This was a most strenuous journey, but it was relieved by the rustle of the river and the roar of the way-side cascades and the exultation of walking with Acharyal. By the time the party reached Gowrikund, it was raining cats and dogs. In spite of the late hour and the inclement weather, the local inhabitants turned out en masse. His Holiness immediately had His bath in the Tapta Kund and sat for Puja which concluded by midnight.

The next day, the last lap of the journey to Kedar commenced just before noon. Although the distance was only nine miles, the ascent was steep and the progress slow. A short distance after Gowrikund, one obtained one's first vision of Kedar — brilliant and snow-clad in the sun. Kedar was reached by eight in the evening.

The Kedar temple is said to have been built by Bhimsena and during the long centuries of Indian history it has been rebuilt and renovated time and again. The natural background to the temple is a scene of white effulgent light which is awe-inspiring.

By the time His Holiness reached Kedarnath, several of His followers had lagged behind and only a few strong-willed persons were left with Him. On the evening of the 27th, however, all the followers managed to join Him and it was during the same evening that Acharyal personally performed Puja to Lord Kedarnath. After the Puja was over, He stood before the Lord in enraptured silence, His mind filled with adoration in the presence of the Supreme Lord of the Himalayas.

After staying for a day at Kedarnath Acharyal started on His downward journey to Gupta Kasi through Gowrikund, Rampur and Phattachetti. He reached Gupta Kasi on the evening of the 28th, halting for half a day at Gowrikund. On the morning of the 29th May, He had His sacred bath in the Ganga and Yamuna Dhara, opposite to the temple and after worshipping Lord Viswanath, He granted interviews to the Rawal and other distinguished personages. After finishing His Bhiksha in the early afternoon, He started for Joshi Mutt through Rudra Prayag and reached the place late at night. He was received by the Jagadguru of Joshi Math with acclamation and joy. Near the riverbed of Alakananda is situated the temple of Lord Narasimha and the Saligram which is installed there is said to have been worshipped by Adi Shankara. There are also temples to Nava Durga, Krishna and Vishnu. The path to the famous Tapovana starts from Joshi Math.

The next day, that is the 30th of May, Acharyal after His usual austerities in the morning, visited the various shrines and other important places in and around the Math and in the afternoon granted interviews to many distinguished persons including Sri Gulzarilal Nanda. After a long and cordial conversation with Sri Shantananda,Jagadguru of Joshi Math, Acharyal left for Badrinath in the evening. In Badri He was received by Agnihotri Devi Parsad Tripathi, the Executive Officer of the temple with all honours. He had His first vision of Lord Badri Narayana in splendid isolation.

Early in the morning of the 31st of May, He again proceeded to the temple and received the Arati. He offered flowers at the feet of the Lord and performed Archana. He then went on a visit to the important places in and around Badri followed by half a dozen Sanyasis from different parts of India. He also offered worship at the shrine of Sri Mahalakshmi which is on the right flank within the precincts of the Badri temple but is managed separately.

The 'Pancha Silas' are Narada Sila, the Garuda Sila, the Markandeya Sila, the Varaha Sila and Narasimha Sila. These are situated within easy distance of Tapta Kund and His Holiness visited them before He had His bath in the Tapta Kund. Like the Panch Silas there are Panch Theerthams also in Badrinath. These are the Tapta Kund, the Narada Kund, the Rishi Ganga, the Prahalada Dhara and the Kurma Dhara. Acharyal visited these Theerthams also. Again there are Panch Badris.

After visiting several holy places in and around Badri, His Holiness proceeded to Brahma Kapala which is the spot sacred to one's ancestors or Pitrus. This is a big rock, shaped like an inverted palm and is washed by the Alakananda at its base. Finally, He visited Mata Murthi, a village on the right bank of the river where there is a temple dedicated to Mata Murthi, the wife of Dharma Prajapati and the mother of Sages Nara and Narayana. He also visited Charana Paduka, a place situated about two miles to the west of Badrinath towards the foot-hills of the Neelakanta peak.

VI. BADRINATH TO SRINGERI

TO KASHMIR

On the 1st of June, the Jagadguru resumed His journey to Rishikesh via Deva Prayag,arriving at the Andhra Ashrama at Rishikesh in the evening. On the morning of the 4th He visited Haridwar and after a bath in the holy Ganges returned to Rishikesh. He then visited the vast building of the Ashram and also had a meeting with Swami Chidananda and other members of the Divine Life Society. Thereafter He proceeded to the newly constructed Math building at Haridwar and gave instructions about the future work to be done there. After a detailed scrutiny of the building He proceeded to Dehra Dun in the evening.

The next day, the 5th of June, His Holiness went to Sahasradhara in the morning and had a bath in the holy waters. He arrived at Ambala Cantonment in the evening and stayed in the Lakshminarayana Mandir. The next day He went to the Institute for the Blind. There He delivered a moving and sympathetic speech which touched the hearts of those present. He also gave a liberal monetary contribution to the Institute. In the evening, He proceeded to Jullundur which He reached at about half past seven. Jullundur City accorded His Holiness a royal reception.

The next afternoon, the Jagadguru proceeded to Jammu which was reached at 8 p.m. He stayed in Jammu for two days which were spent mainly in granting interviews to administrators, military commanders and tourists who flocked to see Him and take His advice. Early in the afternoon of the 9th, He left for Ramban. The next day was the Aradhana of our Parapara Guru, Sri Narasimha Bharathi Mahaswamigal.

In the afternoon, Acharyal left for Srinagar and reached by about 7.30 p.m.

On the 11th accompanied by His followers He went to visit the Shankaracharya temple which is situated on a hill near Srinagar. The temple contains a massive Banalingam .He worshipped at the shrine and returned to His camp for Bhiksha. In the afternoon He proceeded to the Marthanda temple, dedicated to the Sun, which is situated about forty miles away from Srinagar. The next morning was occupied in giving 'Deeksha Upadesa' to the priest-elect of the Rameswaram temple, a right which belongs to the Pontiffs of the Sringeri Math. During the day several distinguished Ministers and Officers came to visit and pay their respects to Him. On the 13th He proceeded to Abhedananda Home in the morning, where He addressed a public meeting of the citizens. Acharyal was taken round the Ashrama by Swami Abhedananda of the Sivananda Ashrama,Rishikesh. The same evening He commenced His return journey and arrived at Batote by 8 p.m.

On the 14th, He delivered an address to the military and civil officers and the public of the town. Acharyal journeyed to Jammu the same evening.

IN THE PUNJAB

The Jagadguru reached Pathankot at about 6.30 p.m. and camped there in the Dharmatal Mandir, outside the town. He left for Amritsar on the afternoon of the 16th June. Soon after arrival, He proceeded to the Lakshminarayana temple at Durgiana.

He left Amritsar for Ludhiana the same afternoon. He was welcomed with Mangala Vadyam and taken to Dandi Swamiji's Tapovanasharma. The Swamiji welcomed Him with due devotion. The next day being Ekadasi, His Holiness observed silence. The following day He addressed a vast gathering.

His Holiness left Ludhiana for Karnal in the evening. Here also He addressed a vast gathering. The next day He gave His blessings to the Eye and General Hospital run by the Sanatana Dharma Sabha. He left for New Delhi in the evening and reached the city at about 7.00 p.m.

THIRD VISIT TO DELHI

Sri K.L. Rao, Minister for Irrigation was one of the dignitaries who welcomed Acharyal. One of the purposes of the visit to Delhi was to perform the Kumbhabhisheka of the deities Sharada and Shankara in the Shankara Advaita Vidya Ashrama. On the 22nd, at the time appointed for consecration, thousands of persons from all over the city and elsewhere gathered to witness the ceremony, including several Ministers, officers of State and distinguished scholars. After the ceremony was over His Holiness addressed the assembly.

The 23rd night Acharyal proceeded to Haridwar, after performing the Sharada Chandramouleeswara Puja. He reached Haridwar late at night. The next day He opened the newly constructed Shankara Math at Bhimogoda Road. He returned to Delhi at about 4.30 p.m. He immediately broke camp and after blessing the several devotees present departed for Hodal. Before doing so, He gave a donation of Rs. 1,001/- to the Madrasi High School. The Shankaracharya of Puri also came to take leave of Him.

JOURNEY TO RAJAPUTANA AND WESTERN INDIA

His Holiness reached Hodal at 8.30 p.m.. He left for Jaipur the next afternoon, arriving in that great city at about 7.00 p.m. He was given a rousing reception by the public of Jaipur in the Ayurvedic College compound. He was then taken to the Gujarat School where He was offered Purnakumbha and other ceremonial honours.

Acharyal left Ajmer on the 29th June and stayed at Pushkar, a hilly place, 7 miles off Ajmer City. The next morning He proceeded to Pushkar Kshetra. He had His holy bath in the Brahma Pushkarani. Acharyal then visited the temple dedicated to Rishyashringa which contains the idol of Rishyashringa made of black stone. The Jagadguru proceeded to Jodhpur in the afternoon.

On the 2nd July, He left Jodhpur for Bilwara and the next day for Chittodgarh which He reached at about 7 p.m. After crossing the seven massive wooden gates which had been built in the days of Rana Pratap and Rani Padmini, He reached the Bidal Dharmasala on the top of the hillock and stayed there for the night. The next day He went to bathe in the Pushkarani where the water flows through a Gomukha or cow's mouth. Acharyal visited the Kali temple near Padmini's palace and then came down to the fort, where Chittodgarh had assembled to welcome Him.

He departed for Udaipur in the afternoon. He reached Udaipur in the evening and was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the presentation of Purnakumbha. He was greeted by a cavalcade of motorcars and was then taken in procession, seated on a special chariot, accompanied by the leading officials of the State, mounted horses, and caparisoned elephants and camels. The royal house of Udaipur had sent two cars for His use and the whole procession with the music of band and the chanting of Vedas was a spectacle which will be long remembered by the citizens of this ancient capital.

Sri Murali Mohan Saran, the Mahant, introduced Acharyal to the citizens and paid tributes to Him. After the function was over He drove in a State car to Ananda Bhavan where He stayed for the night. The next day He went to the Ekalingeswara temple and personally performed Puja to Lord Shiva amidst the vociferous rejoicing of the gathered crowd. He left for Dongarpur in the evening. While at Udaipur, His Holiness gave an interview to Sri Mohanlal Sukhadia and other Ministers, held conversations with several Sadhus, spent a few minutes with press correspondents and received many of the leading citizens of the place.

He stayed at Dongarpur on the 5th of July and the next day left for Himmatnagar in Gujarat, visiting en route the Tribhuvaneswara Mahadeva Theertha Sthala and the Shyamalaji temple. In Himmatnagar, He was taken in procession with royal honours. On the way He halted at Hajipur and blessed the inhabitants. The next day He visited Bhavan's College. On the 10th of July, the Jagadguru was accorded a reception at the Brihat Gujarat Sanskrit Parishad before a distinguished gathering which included the Governor of Gujarat.

He left Ahamedabad for Baroda in the evening. En route, He alighted for a few minutes at Dakur where He prayed silently at the shrine of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of that place. At Baroda, He was received by the Mayor and other dignitaries. He stayed in the palace of the Maharaja. On the evening of 11th His Holiness was given a reception by the authorities of the Baroda University. The Vice-Chancellor introduced the Jagadguru to the audience.

On the 12th He went to the factory of Hindustan Tractors Limited. In the afternoon, He gave an interview to the Rajmata of Baroda and finally blessed hundreds of devotees who had gathered to see Him. He left Baroda at 5 p.m. and arrived at Broach at 7 p.m. He camped at Ashoka Ashrama.

The river Narmada flows behind the Ashoka Ashrama and Acharyal bathed in it in the morning. He then went for Surat in the afternoon.

The journey from Dara to Nasik was a long one, being a distance of 150 miles. Acharyal reached Nasik at about 10.30 at night. He performed His night Puja in the premises of the Sringeri Shankaracharya Math at Panchavati.

The surging crowd of nearly 10,000 persons went to the Math premises and it was well after midnight when the Pujas were over.

The 16th July, was the day of Kataka Sankaramana. Acharyal had His bath in the Godavari at Ramkund and then proceeded to the Nasik General Library which goes by the name of 'Swadhyaya Mandir'. Acharyal's name was chiselled in the marble and fixed on the wall of the main hall.

The next day He motored to Triambakeswar, 18 miles away from Nasik and reached Kushavarta, a holy Theertha. He returned to the temple of Lord Triambakeswar and performed 'Ashtothara Puja' with silver flowers.

On returning to Nasik, Acharyal was informed that the public of that place were very anxious to take Him in procession through the city as they could not do so when He arrived. The Jagadguru agreed and the procession started from the Math premises at about four in the afternoon. It wound its way through the city and ended at Sri Kapaleeswara temple at Panchavati. His Holiness performed Puja to Lord Kapaleeswara and then the procession proceeded to Sri Rama Mandir at Panchavati, halting at the Chettiyar Math on the way. The next afternoon He left for Kalyan.

HIS HOLINESS IN BOMBAY

His Holiness' stay in Bombay was a memorable one. An influential and representative Reception Committee was formed with Kulapathi Dr. K.M. Munshi, as Chairman and Sri V.S. Page, Chairman, Maharashtra Legislative Council, Sri T.S. Bharde, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Sri P.R. Gajendragadkar, Vice-Chancellor of the Bombay University and Tarka Theertha Lakshmana Sastri Joshi, Chairman, State Board for Literature and Culture, as Vice-Chairmen The institutions included in the Reception Committee numbered more than thirty-five and covered practically every serious minded group in the city.

Acharyal reached Bombay on the afternoon of the 19th of July. En route He was received with ovation by the Ghatkopar Hindu Sabha and the members of the State Bank of India, Bhandup Branch. He was then escorted to the Shanmukhananda Sabha where thousands of devotees had gathered to welcome Him.

After the reception at the Shanmukhananda Sabha, His Holiness proceeded to His camp in the Tamil Sangam, where also He was received with Poornakumbha and other honours.

Chaturmasyam commenced on Friday the 21st of July. During His stay in Bombay for the Chaturmasyam and beyond, the Jagadguru's time was fully occupied by the Pujas incidental with the period; in granting interviews to many distinguished persons; and in giving discourses to huge gatherings of devotees. Among those who interviewed His Holiness during the first week were Dr. K.M. Munshi and Sri Muthanna, General Manager of the Telephone Co., Bombay.

The Ganapathi Vidvat Sadas in Bombay commenced on the 7th of September 1967. Dr. K.M. Munshi inaugurated it. The next important event during His Holiness's stay in Bombay was the celebration of Navarathri, during the last five days of which Satachandi Maha Yagnam was also conducted.

On the 17th of October evening, His Holiness transferred His camp to Kar Road. During His stay at this camp He gave interviews to several persons, including Swami Chinmayananda.

The concluding event in Bombay was the celebration of Acharyal's Vardhanti on the 1st of November.

BOMBAY TO BANGALORE

Although it was a working day, thousands of persons had gathered to take leave of Him and to receive His blessings. He left for Lonavala after distributing Mantrakshata. He left for Poona next evening. On the way to Poona, He visited the milk processing plant at Induri near the village of Talagaon. It was nearing sunset when He entered Poona. When the motorcade reached Sanivarvada, the surging crowd that received Him was verily like an ocean of humanity. It was one of the most enthusiastic receptions received during His long tour. At the Fort, the leading citizens paid their respects to Him and Sri Goray, Mayor of Poona read an address of welcome. His Holiness was then escorted in a procession led by a caparisoned elephant, through the principal streets of the city to the accompaniment of Vedic chant and Bhajans, rendered colourful by pyrotechnic illumination. The procession terminated at Sanivarpeta.

Altogether His Holiness's stay in Poona was distinguished by the atmosphere of Sanskrit learning that pervaded the place.

Leaving Poona, the next important halt was at Hyderabad. En route His Holiness halted at Kurdwadi, Sholapur, Umarg, Humanabad and Bidar. The journey from Poona to Hyderabad took 10 days, between the 13th and 22nd of November. He stayed at the Sringeri Math at Nalagunda in Hyderabad city. Several institutions in the city offered their respects and read addresses. Sri Juluri Viresalingam, the President of the Gita Samiti read several of them.

On the 26th, when His Holiness left Hyderabad, there was a special farewell function at which Sri Brahmananda Reddi, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh participated.

Acharyal visited the camp of the Rajaputana Rifles. Colonel Harban Singh performed Pada Puja. The soldiers joined and sang Arati together. His Holiness spoke to them and said that just as an ascetic abandoned the life of an ordinary householder to foster Dharma, so also the soldiers joined the army to maintain righteousness in the land. He illustrated this statement by numerous quotations from Ramayana, Gita and other great books.

Acharyal spent a day in the house of Raja Limbekar in Himayatnagar and reached Suryapet on the 28th of November. He then proceeded to Rajamundry and Antarvedi. In the latter place, He was welcomed by Sri Ramalinga Raju, Minister of Law. He also laid the foundation-stone of Gitamandir. His next halt was at the famous pilgrimage centre of Annavaram where He performed Puja at the shrine of Satya Narayana which is situated on a hillock. On the 4th of December He visited Vishakapatnam, where He was taken in a palanquin procession. After visiting the Venkateswara temple built by the Shipping Corporation, He left for Kakinada. After a couple of halts He reached Vijayawada on the 8th of December and camped at the Shankara Math at the foot of the hill temple of Kanakadurga. He also visited Kunjavaram, Tenali and other places. At Guntur, He paid a visit to the Smartha Vidya Patasala and also declared open the Kalyana Mandapam of the Ramanama temple.

On the 16th, Acharyal paid a special visit to Srisailam. He was received with Purnakumbha, to the accompaniment of Nadaswaram music and Vedic chants and escorted to the Mallikarjuna temple. After worshipping at the shrines of the God and Goddess, He returned to the Shankara Math.

The main purpose of the visit to Srisailam was to install and consecrate the idol of Bhagavatpadal. This function took place on the 18th. The next day, that is the 19th, He left for Uma Maheswaram.

From Srisailam to Bangalore was a rush. At Uma Maheswaram, He installed the Dwaja Sthambha and a new Lingam. On the 21st, He was at Mahboobnagar. The next day He was in Bijapur. Between the last week of December and the first week of February, when He was at Shimoga, He toured the northern districts of Karnataka. He halted for a week at Shimoga. On the 4th of February, He laid the foundation-stone for a Shankara Math.

Between Shimoga and Bangalore was again a period of quick travel with short halts at Lakavalli, Kadur, Arsikere, Tiptur, Tumkur, Sivaganga and Yeshwantpur on the way. At Lakavalli, Acharyal worshipped at the Shiva temple of Somapuram. At Sivaganga, He was received ceremonially by the authorities of the Math. He visited the newly constructed Subramanya temple and the library. He reached Bangalore on the 19th of February. On the 25th, He performed the Kumbhabhisheka of the Subramanyaswami temple at Seshadripuram. The Sivaganga Swamigal was also present on the occasion. Maha Shivarathri Puja was conducted on the 26th. The next day Rudra Homa was performed. Nearly three thousand devotees were fed on the occasion.

During the week, many an eminent person met Him and received His blessings, including Sri Brahmananda Reddi, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, Sri R.M. Patil, Sri Racheya, Sri Jatti, Sri G.S. Pathak, Governor of Mysore and others.

The most important event that took place during the Jagadguru's stay in Bangalore was the Kumbhabhisheka of the Vimanams of the Shankara and Sharada shrines in the Shankara Math on the 16th of March.

After fulfilling these strenuous engagements, Acharyal left for Sringeri on the 10th March halting at Maddur, Mysore, Hasan, Chickmagalur and Jayapura on the way. He reached Sringeri on the 22nd of March, 1968 at 8-30 in the morning and with great eagerness worshipped at the shrine of Sri Sharadambal and in a mood of ecstasy extolled Her.

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SRINGERI TO BANGALORE

Acharyal started on 15.2.71 from Sringeri and reached Bangalore on 22.2.71. On the way He stayed in several places. At Bangalore, He was received with great pomp and splendour by a huge crowd.

STAY AT BANGALORE

The next day, He inaugurated the Uthsavam of the new silver chariot at the Subramanyaswamy temple. At that time, the head of the Sivaganga Math was there along with his disciples. That night Acharyal performed the traditional Shivarathri Puja. Devotees from many places gathered and witnessed the Puja throughout the night.

The 60th anniversary of the Sri Bharatiya Geerwana Prouda Vidhyabhivardhini Mahapatasala established by the 33rd pontiff of Sringeri, Sri Satchidanda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, at Bangalore Shankara Math was grandly celebrated under the most exalted presence of Acharyal between the 6th and 9th of March, 1971.

On the 6th evening, the Vice-President of India, Dr.S.G.S. Pathak inaugurated the celebrations with a speech. Acharyal blessed the occasion with an Upanyasam.

A Vidvat Sadas was held on the 7th morning and evening in which Vedic scholars from all over the nation participated.

On the 8th several Pandits participated in a debate on Mimamsa and Vedanta Sastras. That evening, the Governor of Mysore, Sri Dharma Veera visited the Math.

On the 9th, a seminar was held on 'Sri Shankara and present day life' between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Intellectuals from various places participated. At 4 p.m. a conference of Sri Sura Saraswati Sabha was held. At 6 p.m. Justice Sri A. Narayana Bai gave a speech. The functions ended on a sweet note with a farewell speech.

Sri Mahasannidhanam left Bangalore on 1.3.1971 for Sivaganga. The Sivaganga Mathadhipathi Sri Satchidananda Abhinava Subrahmanya Bharathi and his Sishya Sri Visweshwara Bharathi offered Pada Puja to His Holiness. The Peetadhipathis of Hebbur Math and Masulipatnam Gayathri Peetam were also present on the occasion. His Holiness performed Kumbhabhishekam and Pratishta of the new Shrines of Dakshinamurthi, Mahaganapathi and Dandapani. He then proceeded to Shankaracharya's cave in Sivaganga Parvatha and witnessed Puja there. After visiting the shrines of Gangadhareswara and Swarnambika, He graced the assembled devotees and left for Bangalore.

On the 14th, He inaugurated the bookshop at the Sivaganga Math, Seshadripuram. On the 18th He performed the Aradhana of His Parapara Guru Sri Abhinava Satchidananda Bharathi in Kolar. Visiting Ranipet en route, He reached Madras on the 19th evening.

ACHARYAL AT MADRAS

His Holiness was given a grand reception on His arrival. He was staying at Pravachana Mandiram at Raja Annamalaipuram till 22.4.71. On 23rd He left for T.Nagar Sringeri Math and celebrated the Aradhana and Vardhanti of Parameshti Acharyal Sri Satchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimhabharathi Mahaswamigal on the 28th. Connected with this, a Satachandi and Maharudra Yagnas were conducted between 23rd and 27th. Starting on 29th He reached Tirumala via Arakonam. The then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Brahmananda Reddy opened the Kalyana Mandapam of the Sringeri Math at Tirumala, in the august presence of His Holiness. After the Samarpanam of Swagata Patrikas, Sri Brahmananda Reddy addressed the gathering.

Acharyal left Tirumala and reached Madras on 3rd April 1971. He stayed at Raja Annamalaipuram and graced the city of Madras.

Sri Mahasannidhanam left Madras on the 10th of April for Pondicherry. Lieutenant Governor Jatti and other eager devotees welcomed Him with Purnakumbha. Sri Ramachandra Bhat read the Swagathapatram in Sanskrit. His Holiness delivered an Upanyasam and later conducted the evening Puja. The next day, the 11th of April, the Jagadguru left for Chidambaram after visiting the Sri Manabul Vinayagar temple.

At Thillai, He was welcomed by the Dikshitars of the Nataraja temple who took Him around all the shrines of the temple for Darshanam. He went to the Chidambaram Sabha Sanskrit Dharmavidyalaya.

Acharyal left for Pondicherry on 12th. He reached Srirangam on 18th, proceeding via Neyveli and gracing many places in between.

A huge throng awaited to behold Him. Amidst chanting of Upanishads, Nadaswaram and other music, He was welcomed with Purnakumbham, silk umbrella, caparisoned elephant and other paraphernalia. Sri N.N.Ramanatha Iyer, Dharmadikari and others welcomed Him. Trichy Jilla Dharmadikari Sri Siva Subramanya Iyer offered Dhuli Pada Puja.

After delivering an Upanyasam His Holiness blessed the Kovilur Swamigal who had come to have His Darshanam. Then, Sri Chandramouleeswara Puja took place.

At the humble request of many devotees, He visited Thiruverambur Boiler Factory and Kailasa Colony and accepted Pada Puja. Thousands of factory workers gathered to behold Him. This took place in the Sannidhi of the Bala Vinayakar temple where He had performed Kumbhabhisheka the previous year.

He went to Gunasilam at the request of the Renovation Committee members of the Sri Prasanna Venkatachalapathi temple. He went inside the temple and had Darshan of the Lord and laid the foundation stone for a new Rajagopuram. The Committee Chairman Dr.V.K. Ranganatha Iyer sought His blessings for the speedy completion of the works. He then blessed Sri A.V.R. Krishnaswamy Reddiar with a shawl for his Tamil translation of Bhagavatapadal's Sri Subrahmanya Bhujangam. Bhaktas from all over received Theertha Prasada and His divine Darshanam .

On the 15th evening, having blessed one and all with Phalamantrakshata, Acharyal continued His tour. He went via Kamsampettai, Pazhuvur, Allur, Vaigainallur, Manathattai villages and performed Kumbhabhisheka of the Ishwara temple at Mahadanapuram. He left for Karur late in the day. He was welcomed at the Patheeswara temple and performed the usual night Puja in the Shankaralaya. The next day He performed the Prathishta of Sri Rajarajeswari at the Shankaralaya.

On the 16th, Acharyal left Karur for Salem. He was welcomed with customary respects in the Lakshminarayana Perumal temple and was taken in procession to the Shankara Math. Sri M.R.Kuppuswamy, Income Tax Commissioner, Sri K.V. Rajan and others delivered the Swagatha Patrika. On the 17th He went to the Sukavaneshwara temple and offered some costly jewels donated by Sri Sundaram Chettiar to the Uthsava Murtis. That evening, there was a function celebrating the 11th year of the Sanskrit Patasala. A special function of the Sri Brahmavidya Sabha was also held. Many attended the function.

Sri Mahasannidhanam went to Erode on the 18th. Sri K.R. Krishnaswami Iyer, Sankara Seva Samithi Secretary Sri K.V. Subbarathnam, and many other Asthikas welcomed Him.

On the 19th of April He went to Gobichettypalayam and delivered an Upanyasam at Sri Chandrasekara Bharathi Kalyana Mandapam. Sri Sharada Chandramouleeswara Puja was held there.

On the 20th, 133 Ritwiks performed Maharudra Yagnam. His Holiness visited the Yagnasala and stayed there for the Purnahuti. He then gave Theertha Prasada. The same evening, He made a Vijaya Yatra to Coimbatore and stayed at the Shankara Math, where He performed Puja. On the 22nd He visited Ayyalur and on the 24th, visited Kalady.Acharyal celebrated Sri Shankara Jayanthi at North Parur.

ATIRUDRAM AT SIKAPUR

Between the 14th and 22nd of May 1971, Atirudra Yagna and Sahasra Modaka Homa were held at Sikapur in Shimoga Jilla, Mysore State. Vedic chanting, Sapthasati Parayanam and Surya Namaskaram followed the Purnahuti. Acharyal, who had come there to bless the Yagnas at the request of numerous devotees, was received with Purnakumbham. Sri Sharada Chandramouleeswara Puja was conducted daily. On the last day, He distributed Prasada to one and all.

The 1st of June saw Acharyal's Vijaya Yatra to Arsikere where He performed the Pratishta of Sri Ramachandramurthi at the Seetharama Kalyana Mandapam which was built by Sri H.R. Subba Rao at the cost of two lakh rupees.

RETURN TO SRINGERI

Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam took up that year's Chaturmasya Sankalpam on the Guruvaram, the 8th of July, 1971. Sishyas from all over the country paid obeisance to Him. Navarathri celebrations of the year were held at Sringeri in the divine presence of His Holiness. Acharyal's Vardhanti was also held at Sringeri.

SHORT TOUR IN KARNATAKA

On the 14th of March, 1973, His Holiness left Sringeri for Aswathapuram in South Kanara Jilla. Staying there for one day, He left for Mangalore on the 16th. He was received with customary honours. He stayed in the city for two days and blessed numerous devotees.

He left for Mysore on the 19th and enroute, stayed at Kodlai (19th to 21st), Puthur (21st to 22nd), Mucara (22nd to 23rd), K.R.Nagar (23rd to 24th) and arrived at Mysore on the 24th. A huge reception was accorded to Him. He stayed for two days and left on the 27th for Srirangapatnam.

Making a halt at Kengal (28th to 29th), He reached Bangalore on the 29th. His stay there was till the 16th of April and on 16.4.1973, He left for Sringeri to celebrate Shankara Jayanthi there. He arrived at Sringeri on 25.4.1973.

Sri Shankara Jayanthi celebrations were held amidst great pomp and splendour between the 3rd and 7th of May, 1973. Thus ended Acharyal's short tour in Karnataka.

TOUR IN MANGALORE

Sri Mahasannidhanam started from Sringeri on 21.5.1973 for Mangalore. On the 22nd, He participated in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Padmasali Sangham and on the 23rd, He graced the Annapurneshwari Samrajya Pattabhisheka Mahothsavam at Hornad (near Kalasakshethra). The same evening, He returned to Sringeri.

TOUR TO RAMESWARAM

The Kumbhabhishekam of the Sri Ramanathaswami temple at Rameswaram was scheduled to be held on 5th December 1975. Sri Ramanatha Sethupathi and others had invited Acharyal to perform the consecration. Since the Jagadguru's programme was finalised at the last moment, the travel from Sringeri to Rameswaram was indeed a rush. His Holiness travelled via Hassan, Mysore, Satyamangalam, Karur, Thenkarai, Ramnad and reached Rameswaram. The return route was through Madurai, Rajapalayam, Tirunelveli , Kallidaikurichi, Shengottai, Alleppey, Parur and Kalady. After a brief halt at the sacred birthplace of Bhagavatpadal, He visited Calicut, Cannanore,Kulai and Saligramam before arriving at Sringeri.

SECOND ALL INDIA TOUR

This was undertaken in two parts. The first was a short one which lasted from November 1975 to March 1976. This primarily covered the North and South Canara districts. When Acharyal was at Bangalore in 1975, a meeting was held and it was contemplated that the Sashtiabdhapurthi celebrations of Acharyal must commence with the Vardhanti in 1976 and conclude with the Vardhanti in 1977. It was also resolved that the celebration be held at various centres.

Accordingly a Koti Archana to Sharadambal was conducted in October - November 1976 at Sringeri. Thereafter Acharyal set out on His tour. He was to perform the Kumbhabhishekam of Goddess Annapurna at Kasi. The Mahanth of the temple was keen that the consecration be performed only by the sacred hands of our Jagadguru and had been eagerly awaiting Mahasannidhanam's arrival. Since the function was scheduled to be held in January 1977, the journey from Sringeri to Varanasi was necessarily swift. On the way, His Holiness halted at important places, one of which was Hyderabad.

In December 1976, at Hyderabad, Acharyal announced His decision that an Atirudra and a Sahasrachandi Maha Yagas should be conducted at Varanasi. The functions at Kasi went off on a very grand scale. A noteworthy feature was the participation of Sri Niranjana Deva Theertha, the Pontiff of the Puri Math, in the Kumbhabhishekam. A Vidwat Sadas and a Vaidhika Sadas were also held.

Prior to reaching Kasi, Acharyal had attended the Kumbha Mela at Allahabad on the Mouni Amavasya day. That year, the astrological configuration had been such that the Kumbha Mela had very special significance. Acharyal's delightful bath and swim in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati were a sight to watch.

Millions had thronged for a holy bath and it was Dr. Chenna Reddy, the then Governor of U.P., who had made excellent arrangements. The heads of the Hariharapura and Thirthamathur Maths accompanied our Jagadguru. After completion of the Kumbhabhishekam at Varanasi, His Holiness returned to Allahabad and bathed in the holy confluence on the Pournami day, before proceeding to Calcutta. There Sri P.Subramaniam was the primary organiser for Acharyal's camp. The Rama Navami celebrations took place at Calcutta and thereafter, visiting several places en route, the Jagadguru arrived at Delhi.

Shankara Jayanthi was celebrated on a grand scale at the capital. Sri Vajpayee, the then Union Minister for Foreign Affairs laid the foundation stone for the library buildings at the Sankara Vidya Kendra in the august presence of our Acharyal. Numerous dignitaries, such as Sri Jagjivan Ram as also religious leaders like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi called on Acharyal and paid their respects.

Acharyal had been scheduled to proceed to Varanasi from Delhi but had suddenly changed His route to Calcutta. The delay in His arrival at Delhi had given time for the local committee to complete the temple constructions. Hence it was possible for Acharyal to conduct the Kumbhabhishekams of the Shivalinga, Ambal and Shankara idols at the newly constructed shrines. Sri Swarupananda Saraswati,the pontiff of the Joshi Math,also took part in the ceremony. He was also present at a function organised at the Gowrishankar temple which was graced by Acharyal.

From Delhi, Acharyal proceeded via Vrindavan, Agra and Kanpur to Allahabad. Thereafter He proceeded via Kasi, in stages through Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh and reached Hyderabad. The Chaturmasyam of the year 1977 was observed there. Navarathri was celebrated in Guntur, and thereafter His Holiness reached Madras on the 29th of October.

The Jagadguru was received at Red Hills, in the outskirts of the city and was then taken to the Kapaleeswarar temple. After having Darshan there,Acharyal was taken in a grand procession in a Golden Palanquin to Navasuja at Mylapore. A special pandal had been erected at Navasuja for the grand celebrations of the Shashtiabdhapurthi. The main functions were celebrated on the 10th of November. At noon, the Purnahuti of the Sahasrachandi, Atirudram Mahayagnas as also the Samita Homam were completed.

On the 11th of November the Ved Bhagwan Sthapana was done by Sri Govind Narain, the Governor of Karnataka. Sri Prabhudas Patwari, Governor of Tamilnadu, presided. On the same day, the Sarva Shakha Sammelan was inaugurated by Sri V.V.Giri, former President of India. Sri Satyadeo Brimhachari of the Bharatiya Chaturdham Ved Bhavan Nyas organised the function with Sri Govilla of Allahabad.

At the completion of the stay at Madras, on the 25th of December the Jagadguru proceeded via Ranipet and Kolar Gold Fields to Bangalore and thence to Sringeri.

1979 SOUTH INDIA TOUR

Acharyal had earlier said that He would come to Madurai and Coimbatore when the constructions at these places were completed. Hence, to fulfil His commitments, Acharyal started on a South India tour on 15.10.79. That being the 25th year of Acharyal's Pattabhishekam, a Koti Archana was performed at Sringeri during the Navarathri that year. An Atirudram too was conducted in the august presence of the Jagadguru. The main Silver Jubilee celebrations were scheduled to be held at Bangalore. A large crowd gathered to give His Holiness a reverential welcome when He came to the Shankara Math on 17.10.1979. Numerous Yagas were conducted, apart from the Dharma, Sahithya and Veda Vidvat Sammelanams. Various dignitaries participated and the mammoth audience was regularly spell-bound by Acharyal's captivating discourses.

The Jagadguru left for Mysore on 3-11-1979 and proceeding via Nanjangud, Gobichettipalayam, Salem and Erode reached Coimbatore on the 19th. A vast plot of land had been donated by Sri Nanjundiah. Sri Govindaswami Naidu had financed the construction of a temple housing the idols of Sri Sharada, Shankara, Ganapathi and Subrahmanya. Sri K.V. Narayanaswamy Iyer had also been instrumental in the Dharmic activity. On the sacred day, Acharyal was taken in an impressive procession to the accompaniment of Vedic chanting to Race Course Road where the temple was situated. At the selected hour, the Jagadguru performed the Pratishta of the idols and then ascended the Vimanams to perform the Kumbhabhishekam. A sea of humanity gathered to witness the event. At a function held after the consecration, His Holiness graciously conferred the titles Dharma Veera and Guru Baktha Mani on Sri Govindaswamy Naidu and Sri K.V. Narayanaswamy Iyer respectively.

Having met the first of the primary commitments of the tour,Acharyal left Coimbatore for Pattambi on 6.12.79. There arrangements for His comfortable stay had been made by Sri A.K. Rama Iyer.

Fire and other hazards had been troubling the Guruvayur temple in the recent past years. A Prashnam, conducted by leading astrologers, revealed that the cause of the mishaps was inadequacy of reverence shown to Acharyal. The solution was seen to lie in inviting Acharyal to the temple and duly apologising to Him and honouring Him. Representatives had requested Acharyal to kindly come to Guruvayur. Accordingly, the Jagadguru proceeded to Guruvayur on the 8th of December. There, He gave His benevolent blessings. The unfortunate occurrences ceased to plague the temple thereafter.

Proceeding on His tour, Acharyal arrived at Kalady, via Palghat, on 19th December. He halted at the birth place of Shankara Bhagavatpadal till the 27th and reached Ernakulam that evening. Sri Kasi Viswanatha Iyer was amongst those chiefly responsible for organising the camp. Having halted at Cochin, Acharyal reached Trivandrum on 1-1-80. The tour proceeded via Shenkottah, Thenkasi, Rajapalayam and Periakulam. At Madurai, Acharyal was pleased at the extensive renovation and constructions at the Shankara Math at Ammam Koil Street. Best utilisation of the available space had been made by Sri Srinivasa Raghavan. Sri Srinivasa Raghavan had laboured night and day in the face of many odds to complete the task assigned to him by Acharyal. The Pratishta of the Sharada, Shankara, Visalakshi and Visweswara idols were performed by Acharyal Himself on 27.1.80.

The next halt was at Paramakudi and, through Ramanathapuram, the Jagadguru reached Rameswaram on the 11th of February. Acharyal had His holy baths in the ocean on the occasion of the solar eclipse. As was His wont, He delighted Himself by having a swim in the wavy waters.

On 15.3.1980, Acharyal visited the Ayyappan temple at Sabarimalai. This was His first visit to the holy place. He recommended that arrangements should be made for the daily performance of Pooja to Lord Ayyappan.

Sri Rama Iyer had taken the lead in arranging for an Atirudram and Sahasrachandi Maha Yagas at Kalady on the occasion of Sankara Jayanthi. Acharyal graced the religious ceremonies. The Sankara Jayanthi celebrations also went on a grand scale. Acharyal Himself performed the Abhishekam to Sri Shankara on the Jayanthi day.

After visiting Calicut and other places, the Jagadguru arrived at Mysore on the 1st of May. He performed the Pratishta of the Sacchidananda Shivaabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Mahaswamigal idols at the Abhinava Sankaralaya on the 5th of May. His Holiness returned to Sringeri, via Bangalore, on 21.6.1980.

THIRD ALL INDIA TOUR

After the completion of Navarathri in the year 1981, Acharyal set out on His third long tour. Proceeding via Hassan, Chikmagalore, Acharyal reached Mysore where the 65th Vardhanti as also the Nakshatrotsava of Sanyasa Sweekara of Acharyal were scheduled to be celebrated. As part of the birthday celebrations, Ganapathi Homa and Navagraha Homa were performed on the 24th of October. From the 24th to the 26th the Purnahuti took place in Acharyal's august presence. On 25th October a Dharma Sammelanam was held which was inaugurated in the morning by Shri Veerappa Moily, Minister for Finance, Karnataka Govt. The main 65th Vardhanti celebrations were held on 26th of October. Shri R. Gundu Rao, the Chief Minister of Karnataka was the chief guest at the function, while Shri A.R. Natarajan, Commissioner of Income Tax, Karnataka presided.

In a function held on the evening of the 26th, Shri G.V. Shankar Rao, the Minister of Education, Karnataka was the chief guest. On the occasion, a sum of Rs.80001 was respectfully placed at the lotus feet of the Jagadguru by the devotees of Mysore as their Kanikka to be utilised towards the construction of Sanskrit college to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Ashrama Sweekaram of His Holiness. Acharyal blessed the devotees on their earnest efforts towards the construction of "Guru Sadana" in the premises of the Abhinava Shankaralaya at the cost of Rs. 3 lakhs within a year. A sum of Rs.93000 was collected towards this cause and was respectfully submitted at the lotus feet of His Holiness. On the 27th of October a Sahitya Sammelanam was held in Acharyal's august presence under the presidentship of Professor K.Venkatramappa. On the 28th, the Veda Vidwat Sammelanam was held in which eminent scholars in the Vedas from all over the country participated.

From Mysore Acharyal proceeded to Bangalore where He had a short stay. At Bangalore a public meeting was arranged on the 31st of October at the Shankara Math. Shri B.D. Jatti, the former Vice-President of India presided over the function. From Bangalore, Acharyal proceeded in stages to Kalady, the holy birth place of Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadal.

Proceeding in stages to Tirunelveli, Acharyal inaugurated the Kalyana Mandapam which had been built there. Shri Natarajan, auditor of Tirunelveli had put in great efforts in this regard. Thereafter Acharyal proceeded to grace the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna that was being conducted at Kallidaikurichi. Shri Kasi Iyer and his brother, Shri Krishnamurthy had been primarily instrumental in the organisation of the function there. The next major function graced by Acharyal in the course of His South India sojourn was the Satachandi organised at Rajapalayam by Shri Ramasubramanya Raja.

Acharyal then proceeded via Madurai, Periakulam, Melmangalam, Dindigul, Trichy, Neyveli and Pondicherry to Madras where the Golden Jubilee of the Ashrama Sweekaram of Acharyal was scheduled to be celebrated. Acharyal arrived at Madras on 2nd January 1982 and the reception function was organised at the Narayaniammal Kalyana Mandapam in Raja Annamalaipuram. On January 3rd instant there was an impressive function to mark the 50 years of Ashrama Sweekaram of our Acharyal. The function was organised at the Narayaniammal Kalyanamandapam. The hall was packed to full capacity. Shri R.Venkataraman, the Union Minister for Finance presided over the function. Dharmatma Dr. Vaidyasubramanya Iyer gave the welcome address. He announced that it was proposed to start three Sanskrit colleges, one each at Sringeri, Bangalore and Kalady to commemorate the sacred occasion. As a spontaneous response to the call for donations for the proposed Sanskrit colleges, on the spot donations to the tune of Rs.11 lakhs were announced. A souvenir to mark the occasion was released by Raja Sir M.A. Muthiah Chettiar and the first copy was received by Shri Ramasubramanya Raja. Shri S.Y.Krishnaswamy delivered the Golden Jubilee address. Shri Venkatraman inaugurated the Sanskrit college and spoke about the rich heritage of the Sanskrit language. Speaking on the occasion, Acharyal said that it was a misconception that Sanskrit was a language of the select few.

As part of the Golden Jubilee celebration, a Vidwat Sadas was held at the Sringeri Pravachana Mandiram from the 7th to 9th January 1982. Throughout His stay at Madras till 3.2.1984, Acharyal had a very tight schedule. During His stay at Madras, a branch of the Sringeri Math at Krupa Sankari Street in West Mambalam was inaugurated in Acharyal's august presence, by Shri R.M. Veerappan, Minister for Religious Endowments and Information. On the 29th of January, Acharyal performed the Kumbhabhishekam of the new Ayyappa Swamy temple built on the Santhome High Road at Madras. The temple is an exact replica of the one at Sabarimalai. Raja Sir M.A. Muthiah Chettiar and Shri M.A.M. Ramaswamy were amongst the key personalities involved in the construction of the temple.

Acharyal left Madras on the 3rd of February and proceeded to Tirupathi and stayed there for a few days and worshipped Lord Venkateswara. He then reached Hyderabad on the 14th of February. The Chief Minister Shri T.Anjaiah was amongst those present to have the sacred Darshanam of Acharyal. The Maha Sivarathri was celebrated at the Shankara Math premises. On Sunday, the 21st of February, a Koti Archana to Goddess Sharadambal reached its conclusion with the performance of Lalitha Homam and Purnahuti in Acharyal's immediate presence. Shri Anjaiah participated in the functions till the end. Among the other dignitaries who took part were Shri Lakshminaraya naiah, Endowment Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Chockaiah Rao and others. In the evening, the Golden Jubilee of the Ashrama Sweekara of Shri Mahasannidhanam was celebrated by the Andhra Pradesh Government at the Shankara Math premises. Shri N. Venkatasubbiah, Union Minister for State, presided over the function. The audience was addressed by Shri Ramachandra Rao, Professor of Sanskrit, Osmania University and Shri Lakshminarayanaiah, Minister of Endowments of Andhra. The Andhra Government had originally promised a munificent grant of Rs.8 lakhs for the renovation of the Malahanikareshwar temple at Sringeri, and had made a spot payment of Rs.4 lakhs. The balance of Rs.4 lakh which had remained unpaid until then was announced to be paid soon. The Andhra Government was pleased to announce the following donations to commemorate the occasion:

1) Rs.50000 towards the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

2) Rs.100000 towards the construction of the proposed Sanskrit colleges.

On the invitation of the Andhra Government, Acharyal visited Srisailam on the 18th of February and performed Puja at the famous temple of Sri Mallikarjunaswamy. He also performed the Kalashapratishtapana ceremony of the Gopuram of the temple and did the Kumbhabhishekam thereof. Responding to the respectful invitations of devotees, the Jagadguru visited Mahboob Nagar, Warangal, Karimnagar, Bemulwada, Dharmapuri and other important places. He visited the Kaleshwaram temple which is situated on the banks of the river Godavari. There He performed the Kumbhabhishekam of the newly renovated temple of Lord Kaleshwara. The renovation of the temple was completed by the efforts of Sri Chokka Rao, who was ordained to do so by the Jagadguru on His earlier visit to that place.

After completing the tour of Andhra Pradesh, His Holiness entered the Maharashtra border on March 10th at Nande. There Maharashtra State Government officials and a lot of devotees from Bombay and representatives of the Central organising committee of the Sarada Seva Samiti waited on the Jagadguru. On March 21st the citizens of Ambarnath accorded a grand reception and Acharyal addressed a mammoth public meeting. His Holiness entered the outskirts of Bombay city on the evening of March 22nd and was accorded a colourful welcome by a vast gathering with Vedic traditional honours. On the evening of March 24th, a large scale public reception in which many institutions participated was held at the Gandhi Maidan at Chembur, with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay, Shri V.S.Deshpande welcoming Acharyal. Acharyal performed the 70th Aradhana celebrations of our Parameshti Acharyal on March 27th. On the morning of April 4th, Acharyal made a visit to the Prince of Wales museum and evinced interest. In the afternoon of April 7th Acharyal accepted the invitation extended to Him and visited the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He was received with Vedic honours and a Vidwat Sadas too was conducted. Over 80 participating scholars and pandits from all over India were honoured at a special programme in the evening of April 8th at the Bhavan auditorium. Addresses were presented by Sri Dharamse N. Khatau, President Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan after duly welcoming Acharyal. Some of the other eminent speakers of the function were Shri C. Subramaniam, Chairman of the Bhavan's Madras Kendra and former Finance minister, Shri Charandas Meghdi, Bhavan's Trustee and Honourable Treasurer, Dr. Dasturji Nawaraj Minocher Homji Parsi High Priest, Shri Mohideen Harris - Chairman, Anujamal-e-Islam, Shri A.M. Thomas, Vice-chairman, Bhavan's Cochin Kendra, and Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission Mahamahopadhyaya Prof. J.H.Dave, Honorary Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Dr.V.Subramaniam, Finance Minister of Maharashtra State and Shri S. Ramakrishnan, Executive Director of the Bhavan. On April 10th, Mahasannidhanam visited the Jaslok Hospital and was received by Dr. Vaidya and his colleagues. After going through the functions of the hospital in all the departments Acharyal expressed deep appreciation of the latest medical facilities available there. On April 12th, a group of Ayurvedic medical practitioners of Bombay called upon Acharyal and had discussions on the progress of Ayurvedic treatment and its necessity. On April 15th, Acharyal visited a group of fishermen's colonies in Andheri and was received with a traditional welcome. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan had organised a public reception at their Andheri campus in which Prof.J.H. Dave welcomed Acharyal. On April 19, a Rudra Ekadasai was performed by the Mulund organisers on the occasion of the Jagadguru's visit. On April 21st, His Holiness paid a visit to the Srimad Srirangam Andavan Ashram and also the Brahmana Sangha Hall. On April 22nd, after paying a visit to the Subramanya Samaj in the morning, Acharyal visited the Rotary Club of Dombivilli in the afternoon after laying the foundation stone for a home for the physically handicapped children of the Rotary Sevashram. The Shankara Jayanthi celebrations were held from April 24th to April 28th. Amongst the eminent speakers of the April 28th Shankara Jayanthi celebrations was Dr.Raja Ramanna, the noted nuclear scientist. On April 29th, Acharyal visited the Nehru Planetarium at Worli and was received by the Secretary of the Trust, Mr.P.G.Salvi. Dr. Venkatavaradhan took Acharyal round the various wings of the planetorium and a special presentation in Hindi on the universe impressed the Jagadguru. On the April 30th, Acharyal arrived on the Juna Hanumar Mandir Grounds. A large gathering of devotees and citizens was present at the felicitation function of His Holiness Mahasannidhanam on the completion of 50 years of Sanyasa Ashrama. On May 2nd, the Jagadguru left for Washi en route to Nasik, which was His next major camp in the Maharashtra State.

Shri Abhinava Satchidananda Theertha Swamigal, the Jagadguru of the Dwaraka Peetham passed away on the 7th of April and as per his wish, Swami Swaroopananda Swamiji was to be installed as the Pontiff of that Peetham. Shri Swaroopananda requested Acharyal to perform the Pattabhishekam. Accordingly Acharyal proceeded to Dwaraka, and installed Shri Swaroopananda Saraswati as the Jagadguru of the Dwaraka Peetham on the 27th of May. Holy waters from all over the world were used in performing the consecration ceremony. The Chaturmasya of the year 1982 was celebrated at the Sankara Vidya Kendra at Delhi. Numerous additional constructions were under way there and gained an impetus with Acharyal's physical presence in Delhi. Shrimati Indira Gandhi was the chief guest at the concluding session of the Vidwat Sadas held there. Numerous pandits were given due awards. Acharyal was scheduled to perform the Aradhana of Paramacharyal at Delhi but due to the influence of Prerana(divine inspiration),He decided to proceed to Kashi for the same. Hence the stay at Delhi was cut short and the Jagadguru went to the holy city of Varanasi where the sacred Aradhana celebrations were held. Thereafter Acharyal proceeded to Calcutta and thence via Jabalpur to Parama Hamsi Ganga Ashram in Madhya Pradesh. Acharyal's visit to Parama Hamsi Ganga Ashram was in response to the request of Shri Swaroopananda Saraswati who had built a massive temple for Rajarajeswari at that place and desired that Acharyal should Himself consecrate the idol. A vast concourse of tens of thousands of people had gathered in that forest region without concerning themselves with the need for comforts though excellent arrangements had been made. A grand consecration ceremony was witnessed by a vast multitude. Smt. Indira Gandhi too visited Parama Hamsi Ganga Ashram and had Darshan of Acharyal and addressed a meeting at that place before leaving. After leaving Parama Hamsi Ganga Ashram, Acharyal proceeded via Narasinghpur and Lolri to Hoshangabad on the banks of the Narmada. There in the holy waters of the Narmada He had His special baths pertaining to the lunar eclipse. On the way to Hoshangabad , Acharyal remarked, "Ishwara is bringing Me to the Southern banks of the Narmada even though I had crossed over to the North. It appears to Me that He does not wish that the Yatra to the North continue much longer". His words were indeed prophetic for after He had proceeded from Hoshangabad to visit Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain, ill-health forced Him to cut short the tour. At Bhopal, the Chief Minister Mr.Arjun Singh visited Acharyal and so did the Governor. At Indore, Acharyal stayed at the Podar Guest House with excellent arrangements having been made by the Managing Director of Hope textiles, Shri Venkatraman. At Ujjain, Prof.Venkatachalam was the primary organiser. Since it was felt that Acharyal's urgent return to Bangalore, was necessi tated by His deteriorating health , the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh offered the use of his special plane. Acharyal returned by it to Bangalore from Ujjain on the 5th of January 1983. After a brief stay at Bangalore, Acharyal returned to Sringeri and that marked the completion of the third All-India tour.

BRIEF RECENT TOURS

In July 1983 Acharyal left Sringeri and halting at Shimoga and Kibbanahalli reached Bangalore. He stayed there for Chartumasya. That year, Navarathri was celebrated at Sringeri. Acceding to the request of numerous devotees at Bangalore, His Holiness had agreed to return to Bangalore for the Vardhanti celebrations. He left Sringeri on the Pournami day and proceeded to Shimoga. Halting at Chennarayapatna, He reached Bangalore, where He stayed on till the 29th of January. Having visited the Nimishamba Devi temple and Kalyana Mandiram, He proceeded to Sondekoppa on the 30th of January. On the 5th of February He returned to Bangalore to perform the Kumbhabhishekam of the Rama Mandiram. On the 6th, He consecrated the Panchamukhi Ganapathy shrine in Rajaji nagar. On the 8th, His Holiness left for Mysore. During His stay there, He paid a visit to Hebbasur.

He then graced Ramnathapuram and Agraharam and reached Chikmagalur on the 15th. He arrived at Sringeri the next day and observed Shivarathri there on the 29th. On the 15th of April, He proceeded to Anegunda near Sringeri to grace an Atirudram being performed there by the pontiff of the Hariharapura Math. Acharyal had decided to observe the Chartumasyam of 1984 at Kalady. Having decided to proceed via Bangalore, He left Sringeri on 2nd June for Shimoga.

Reaching Kyatsandra on the 4th, He arrived at the Shankar Math in Bangalore on the 6th. Having left Bangalore on the 2nd of July, He travelled through Salem, Gobichettypalayam, Coimbatore and Palghat and arrived at Kalady on the 9th of July. He performed the Vyasa Puja and Chaturmasya Sankalpam on the 12th. It had been decided to celebrate the 75th year of the original consecration of the temples at Kalady by our Parameshti Acharyal. Dharmatma, Dr.V.Vaidyasubramanya Iyer had made all the arrangements. The Kumbabhishekam of the idols of Sri Sharada, Sakthi Ganapathi and Shankara Bhagavatpadal were performed on 22nd August, Alankara Gopuram was also sanctified.

On September 10, a grand function was organised by Dharmatma Dr.Vaidyasubramanya Iyer to mark the 75th year celebrations and to lay the foundation stone of a Sanskrit college at Kalady. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Sri Karunakaran, the Governor Sri P. Ramachandran and Guru Seva Dhurandhara Justice A.R. Somanatha Iyer participated in the function.

Acharyal left Kalady on September 12 and proceeding via Cochin, Trichur and Hassan reached Sringeri on the evening of September 20.