87th Jayanti Celebrations of HH Sri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Hon’ble Vice President of India Sri Venkiah Naidu (Video Conference) & Hon’ble Governor of Tamilnadu Sri Banwarilal Purohit presided over the function in presence of His Holiness
On the banks of the river Palar, the 70th Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, HH Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal is observing the Chaturmasya Vratam in Mani Mantapam at Orikkai near Kanchipuram.
Yesterday, July 26, 2021, the 87th Jayanti of HH Sri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal – the 69th Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, was celebrated in the august presence of the Honourable Vice-President of India – Sri Venkaiah Naidu (in virtual mode) as well as the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu – Sri Banwarilal Purohit. Two books authored by Sri NP Venkateswara Choudary who has served as an MLA from Chittoor constituency – 1) Cambodia – The Land of Hindu Temples and 2) Neti Vietnam, Nati Hindu Samskruti were released during an event in the evening. The first book On temples of Cambodia in English was released by His Holiness Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal in 2009 at Tirupaty.
Speaking on the occasion, HH Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal mentioned the need to protect and practice culture & traditions of our ancient land for betterment of society. His Holiness stressed the need for Desha Bhakti, Daiva Bhakti & Guru Bhakti. His Holiness recollected the great service & blessings of His Holiness Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal for country & society.
During his address, the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu recollected his long association with the Kanchi Mutt and commended the yeoman service being done by the Mutt to serve the society at large and to protect and preserve our culture and heritage. He also announced a grant of Rs. 1 crore from the Governor’s discretionary fund for setting up a Cathlab for Sankara Multi Speciality Hospital in Kanchipuram to serving the needy in and around rural areas of Kanchipuram.
Addressing the gathering virtually – the Honourable Vice President of India recalled the extraordinary contribution of HH Sri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal in reaching out to the marginalized sections of society. He also mentioned the multiple pada-yatras traversing the length and breadth of the country as well as neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and remarked that HH exemplified the age old saying ‘manava seva, madhava seva’. Speaking about the Book on Temples of Cambodia & Vietnam Hon’ble Vice President spoke about need for Dharma and following culture as a way of life. Hon’ble Vice President shared his experience of visiting the South Asia Countries and exhorted youth to visit these countries and widen their cultural exposure.
The event also saw the distribution of various items such as sewing machines, cooking utensils and so on among the needy from different sections of society.
Earlier in the day, special pujas were performed at the Brindavan of the HH Sri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal at the Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram. The Governor first visited Sri Periyava’s Brundavanam in Kanchi Math before coming to Orikkai.