Mangaluru: Preparations are under way for the birth centenary Mangala Utsava of Jagadguru Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, to be held at Sri Venkatramana Temple, Car Street, in the city. The celebrations will take place in the presence and under the guidance of Kashi Mathadheesha Shrimad Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji on Sunday.Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sri Venkatramana Temple trustee Jagannath Kamath said that Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the 20th Peethadhipathi of Kashi Math, guided the society for 70 years. “He was a revered saint who blessed not only the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community, but all sections of society. As part of the birth centenary celebrations, multiple spiritual and cultural programmes were conducted under the guidance of Shrimad Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji over the last 18 months. Under the ‘Ghar Ghar Bhajane’ movement, programmes were held across India and abroad in homes, institutions, mutts and temples. Approximately 10,000 Ghar Ghar Bhajane programmes were organised, ensuring participation of people from all age groups,” he said.A ‘Divya swarna paduka digvijaya yatra’, which commenced from the Himalayan foothills of Badrinath, travelled across India and reached Mangaluru, Kamath said.As part of the Janmashatabdi Mangala Utsava, a padayatra will be held in the city from 3.30 pm on Sunday. The padayatra will commence from Konchadi and proceed through Maryhill, Yeyyadi, KPT, Bejai, KSRTC, Lalbagh, MG Road, PVS Junction, Manjeshwar Govinda Pai Circle, Canara High School and Dongarakery, and reach Sri Venkatramana Temple, in the presence of Shrimad Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji, he said, adding that the Mangala Utsava Sabha will be held at the temple from 8.30 pm.A mantapa created using 41 kg of gold and 81 kg of silver will be offered to the temple as part of the Mangala Utsava. Further, a Sahasra Kumbhabisheka ritual will be held at the temple from Jan 15 to 19.Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, temple committee managing trustee Adige Balakrishna Shenoy, and other community leaders were present.
