Dharmasreshta Award presented to Dr. M. Sambasivan

The Dharmasreshta Award for the year 2010, instituted by Kerala Brahmana Sabha was presented to Dr. M. Sambasivan by Padmasree Dr. V. R. Gourishankar (C.E.O and Administrator of Sri Sringeri Mutt and its properties) on Sunday, 16th of May 2010 at Sree Sankaracharya Janmabhoomi Kshethram premises by 6.30 p.m. in the divine presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswanigal. The meeting was presided by V. Ramalingam, State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha. V. Krishnaswami (President, Ernakulam District) welcomed the gathering and P. Ananthasubramaniam (State General Secretary) delivered vote of thanks. In his key note address, Padmasree V. R. Gourishankar said that Dr. Sambasivan is so lucky to receive the Dharmasreshta Award in the presence of Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswanigal, especially on the occasion of centenary celebrations held here at Kalady. V. R. Gourishankar honoured Dr. Sambasivan by draping a ‘Ponnadai’. H. Ganesh (President, Thiruvananthapuram District) introduced Dr. M. Sambasivan, the receipient of Dharmasreshta Award to the people gathered and the 'Mangalapathram' was read by Prof. K. S. Narayanan. Padmasree Dr. V. R. Gourishankar was presented a memento and draped with a ‘Ponnadai’ by V. Ramalingam on the occasion.

“The purpose of incarnation of Adi Sankara Bhagavathpadar was to establish and propagate the Sanathana Dharma and Advaitha Sidhantha among common people. That is the reason why the Dharma, Karma, Veda and Sasthra are safeguarded in the present age. It is great that Kerala Brahmana Sabha has instituted such an Award to recognize the outstanding personalities among the community and I consider Dr. Sambasiva Iyer as the most deserving to receive the Award. My blessings to Kerala Brahmana Sabha and I appreciate the efforts taken by the officials for the well being of the community” His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswanigal said in his 'Anugraha Prabhashanam'.

Dharmasreshta Award to be presented on 16th May 2010

His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha arrives at Kalady

The Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji arrived Kalady on Friday, the 7th of May 2010 at 6:00 p.m. for the Sankara Jayanthi and the Centenary Celebrations. As the State Guest of Honour, Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha was received by Jose Thettayil, Minister for Transport and Ramachandran Kadannappilly, Minister for Devaswom along with the Maharaja of Travancore, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma.


In a grand procession from the Kalady junction to the Sri Sringeri Sankara Mutt, the Jagadguru was welcomed by the devotees and the people of Kalady. Three elephants in traditional Kerala style, along with seven horses, Panchavadyam and Veda Ghosham by the students of the Veda Paadhasala at Kalady added colours to the procession. State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha and the Vice Chairman of the Reception Committee, V. Ramalingam, N. Ramachandran, District Vice President along with volunteers of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, accompanied the procession. The members of Vanitha Vibhagam also participated wearing 9 Gajam Pudavai - the traditional dress of tamil brahmin ladies.

His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha in his discourse said that until hundred and twenty years back, no one knew about the location of the birth place of Adi Sankara. It was because of the Divine guidance and efforts of the Thirty Third Acharya of the Sringeri Sarada Peetham, Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Sacchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi Mahaswamiji Kalady was traced. The Jagadguru also stressed the importance of Kalady as a pilgrimage centre like Kasi, Rameswaram, Ayodhya or Mathura; it is the duty of every ‘Astika’ to visit Kalady atleast once in his life time.

Centenary Celebrations at Kalady

The Centenary Celebrations are scheduled to be held during the forthcoming Sri Sankara Jayanthi (18th May 2010) in the imposing, auspicious and divine presence of Jagadguru Sankaracharya, Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal at Sri Sringeri Mutt at Kalady.

14th - 18th May

Sri Sankara Jayanthi Celebrations

19th May

Laksha Modaka Ganapathy Homam

20th - 31st May

Athi Rudra Maha Yagam

21st - 23rd May

Kumbhabhishekam Celebrations of Godess Saradamba & Sri Adi Sankara Temple

23rd May

Kumbhabhishekam by His Holiness Jagadguru Sankaracharya,

Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal of Godess Saradamba & Sri Adi Sankara Temple

24th - 28th May

Satha Chandi Maha Yagam

His Holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal arrives on the evening of 7th May 2010 and Padmasree V. R. Gourishankar, CEO and Administrator of Sri Sringeri Mutt and its properties requests the presence of all at Sri Sringeri Mutt by 4.00 p.m.