Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti (30-Apr-2017)

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Jagadguru Shankaracharya who is considered as the greatest philosopher in Hinduism. Shankaracharya is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is observed on the 5th day during the waxing of moon in the month of Vaisakha (April – May). In 2017, the date of Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is April 30.

Adi Shankaracharya

Shankara was born in Kalady, a small village in Kerala, India, to a Nambuthiri brahmin couple, Shivaguru and Aryamba. The traditional sources of his life are from the Shankara Vijayams, which are essentially hagiographies., who mastered Brahmopadesa at the age of five, became a Sanyasi (ascetic) at eight. He was a disciple of Govinda Bhagavatpada.

Shankara wrote masterly commentaries on the Brahmasutras of Vyasa, eleven of the classical Upanisads and on the Bhagvad Gita (Gita Bhasya).

Adi Shankara established four Peethams namely,

1. Sringeri Math in Karnataka.
2. Kalika Math at Dwaraka in Gujarat.
3. Govardhana Math at Puri in Orissa.
4. Jyotirmath (Joshimath) at Badrikashrama in Uttarakhand.

In a short lifespan of 32 years, he achieved so much that even after centuries his birthday is celebrated with effective teaching of his doctrine.

Shankaracharya Jayanti Celebrations

Shankaracharya Jayanti is spent fasting, meditating and studying the works of  Shankaracharya. People recite his compositions. Various parts of  Shankaracharya’s life are also enacted by children and dramas and stories become a part of the day. Prasad is cooked and distributed. Poor people are also given donations and kids are taught the real meaning of being spiritual.

Shankaracharya Jayanti is celebrated with utmost fervour in Shankara math all over India. Sringeri Sharda Peetham in Karnataka and Kalady Shankara Temple in Kerala, Shankara Math in Hyderabad, Kanchi kamakoti peetha in Kanchipuram are some places where the Shankara Jayanti celebration attracts a large number of devotees.

Special Abhishekam to Adi Shankara amidst chanting of vedas especially Sri Rudra Chamaka Parayanam will be held at Kalady, Sringeri, Puri and other Shankara Math Temples. Special homam, Shankara Digvijayam parayanam will be held at places. The deity of Sri Shankara will be taken in procession in the mada veethis of the temple. In Sringeri, Sri Shankaracharya Rathotsava will be held on May 1st (the day after Shankara Jayanthi).

-Krishna Kumari