Reposting it from thehindu article - https://www.thehindu.com/society/a-spiritual-confluence-at-varanasi/article67348592.ece
Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati at the Kashi-Ganga Tirtha Sivagama Vidwath Sabha in which 120 Sivacharyas participated | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Varanasi, considered the nation’s spiritual capital, is the dream destination on a pilgrim itinerary. The majestic Ganga, the presence of numerous temples, including that of Lord Vishwanatha, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and many other aspects make it special.
The city has gained added significance with the arrival of Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati, 70th head of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Pitam, on July 5, when he commenced the Chatur Masya Vratam at the Sankara Math, Hanuman Ghat. He performed Vyasa Puja on July 3 at Triveni Sangamam in Prayag Raj before arriving here. He was accorded a huge reception in which the erstwhile king of Kashi and the prince and the Mayor participated.
The penance period ends today, Friday, with Viswarupa Yatra when the Sankaracharya will proceed to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, where the Viswarupa chapter from the Bhagavad Gita will be recited. The Sankaracharya has observed the Vratam in Varanasi nearly 50 years after his guru Sri Jayendra Saraswati did the same in 1974. It was way back in 1934 that the 68th pontiff Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati (Mahaswami) stayed in Varanasi for the Chatur Masya vratam.
The Sankara Math at Hanuman Ghat has been a beehive of activities. At another level, it is a confluence of cultures and languages as people from all parts of the country are converging here. Agnihotra Sadas, Special National Sadas along with the annual Panchanga Sadas, Advaita Vedanta Sadas, Chatur Veda parayanam with the support of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, discourses by eminent vidwans, harikathas, etc., have been some of the events happening in the past three months. In August, the 88th Jayanti of Sri Jayendra Saraswati was celebrated in a grand manner. Click the below link to read full article.