There is a specific kind of electricity that fills the air when the Pandits from the Art of Living Gurukul begin to chant. Having been part of hundreds of Art of Living Rudra Puja & Satsangs, Trust me when I say this, It isn’t just sound; it is a tectonic shift in the room’s vibration. Conducted generally in the presence of a Swamiji/Sadhvi of Art of Living, the Rudra Puja is less of a ritual and more of a cosmic cleansing. Participating in this sacred ceremony, followed by a soulful Satsang led by our team (the cherry on top), proved to be an experience of sublime elevation that words struggle to fully capture.
With Swami Virupaksha ji of Art of Living
The heart of the Puja lies in the Sri Rudram, a Vedic hymn with two distinct movements that mirror the rhythm of life itself. In the phase of Namakam, the repetitive salutations recognize the Divine in everything—from the beautiful to the fierce—serving as a profound exercise in non-duality. This is seamlessly followed by Chamakam, where the chant shifts to a list of prayers for human needs, acknowledging that spiritual liberation requires a body and world in harmony.
With Sadhvi Nityabodha ji of Art of Living
As the resonance of the mantras peaks, the Abhisheka begins. The most mesmerizing element is the Dhaara, a continuous, unbroken stream of water and milk poured over the Shiva Linga. This flow represents the movement of consciousness, reminding us that our awareness should remain centered and steady amidst the chaos of daily life. Offerings of honey for sweetness, curd for prosperity, and sandalwood for mental clarity are layered into the ceremony, each adding a biological and spiritual resonance to the atmosphere.
Swami Paramanand of Art of Living performing Panchamrita Abhisheka
The Puja follows a precise energetic map, starting with the Sankalpa, where we drop our intentions into the field of consciousness. Through the Mahanyasam, the Pandits effectively turn their bodies into vessels for the Divine vibration. The entire process culminates in the Arati, the final offering where the external light serves as a powerful reminder of the light within.
Alankara Post Rudram
Alankara
Aarti
Vaibhav ji Performing Aarti
Beyond the spiritual masterpiece of the ritual, the impact on the human nervous system is scientifically profound. The mathematical precision of the Sanskrit syllables acts as a sonic scrub for the mind. These specific Vedic accents create a resonance in the cranial cavity that synchronizes the brain hemispheres, leading to a state where you are awake but in a relaxed, meditative, or restful condition. It is a state of flow where daily mental chatter—the Vruttis—is shattered, replaced by a deep, centered stillness.
It reaches a crescendo as we transitioned from the ancient rigor of the Gurukul chants into the Satsang. If the Puja was the deep-cleaning of a vessel, the Satsang was filling that vessel with nectar. The silence earned during the meditation exploded into music, locking in the elevated state we had cultivated. We didn’t just sing; we integrated the peace we had found.
Post Rudra Puja Satsang
This journey from the depths of Vedic silence to the peaks of collective celebration left us in a state of sublime elevation—a peak of consciousness that stays with you long after the last bell has rung.
With Pandits Subbaraya ji and Ganapati ji trained in Art of Living Gurukul – Their amazingly coordinated and perfect Chants makes our day
Satsangis in a Rudra Puja and Satsang
PS: You don’t need to understand the Sanskrit to benefit. The Puja is often described as a musical surgery, the sounds do the work on your nervous system whether you know the meaning or not.
This is the 3rd part of the series. This has details of Shakatapuram Sri Jagadguru Badari Shankaracharya Samsthanam
What a weekend it turned out to be for me and family. We planned to drop in all these three seats of Supreme Knowledge in and around Sringeri enroute to Kumbashi. Flowing through the heart of Karnataka, the Tunga River does more than just nourish the land; it anchors a powerful spiritual corridor. From the foundational seat of Sringeri to the ancient serenity of Hariharapura and the deep-rooted traditions of Shakatapuram, these three Mathas form a golden triangle of Advaita Vedanta. Bound by a shared devotion to Goddess Sharada and the teachings of Adi Shankara, they stand as timeless guardians of India’s Vedic wisdom. Sharing my experience and some information that I gathered over the years in 3 part article, one dedicated for each of the Mathas.
You can read the 1st part – by clicking the link below Advaita Corridor: Part 1-Sringeri which has details of Sringeri Shri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Samsthanam Dakshinamnya Sharada Peetham. Click on the link below (Opens in new page)
You can read the 2nd part – by clicking the link below Advaita Corridor: Part 2-Hariharapura which has details of Sri Adishankaracharya Sharada Lakminarasimha Peetam. Click on the link below (Opens in new page)
Our next stop was Shakatapuram (Bhandgadi), recent addition to our Pilgrimage circuit and this was our 1st Pilgrimage to this amazing Peetha – Sri Jagadguru Badari Shankaracharya Samsthanam. mage (in April 2023) and definitely not our last. This triad peethams is going to be our annual pilgrimage fixture for sure.
Historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries during the Vijayanagar Kingdom provide deep insight into the origins of the Shri Jagadguru Badari Shankaracharya Samsthanam, Shakatapuram Shrividya Peetam. The lineage traces back to 1338 AD when Jagadguru Sri Satyatheertha Mahamuni, then the Pontiff of Jyotishpeeta, fled the foreign invasions and disturbances in Badarinath. Seeking a sanctuary for his Dharmic mission, he traveled south to the banks of the River Tunga in Karnataka and established his peeta parampara at Shakatapuram. This location holds ancient spiritual significance as the Brahmandapurana identifies it as the site where Shakata Maharishi performed penance and attained salvation.
Main Entrance
The sacred temple complex at the Shri Mutt houses shrines for its presiding deities, Srividya Rajarajeswari, Sri Santhana Venugopala Krishna, and Sri Lakshminarisimha, alongside a shrine for Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavadpada and the Adhishtanams of former Acharyas. Currently, the Peetham is led by its 33rd successor, Jagadguru Sri Vidyabhinava Sri Sri Krishnananda Theertha Mahaswamigalu, who ascended the seat at the age of thirteen on February 22, 1981. Highly revered as a master of Veda, Vedanta, and the esoteric Shrividyopasana of Rahoyaga, His Holiness is celebrated nationwide with the titles “Shrividya Taponidhi” and “Shrividya Sadhakottama.”
For over two decades, the Jagadguru has traveled extensively across Bharat to spread Dharma and bless his devotees. Under his leadership, the Shri Mutt and temple complex at Shrikshetra Shakatapuram underwent a massive rebuilding project. Beyond the physical restoration of the shrines, he established vital facilities for spiritual and social welfare, including a Goshala, Veda Pata Sala, Yagna Sala, and Dharma Sala.
The architecture is a masterclass in Hoysala-Dravidian fusion, where stone seems to breathe under the weight of intricate carvings. As you walk toward the main shrines dedicated to Shri Lakshmi Narahari and Shri Vidya Shankara, the symmetry of the temple structures grounds your wandering mind. The grey stone pillars, weathered yet defiant against time, are etched with deities that seem to watch your progress with a silent, knowing grace. The temple’s layout is designed to pull you inward, leading from the expansive, sun-drenched courtyards into the cool, dark sanctum where the flickering oil lamps reflect off the polished surfaces, creating an atmosphere that is as much a fortress of faith as it is a work of art.
Paragon of Symmetry – Fusion of Hoysala-Dravidian Style
Clicked in front of Dwajastambha
Your spiritual elevation begins the moment you witness the Abhisheka. Watching the rhythmic offerings to the Lord, the resonance of the Vedas echoing against the stone walls starts to vibrate within your own chest. It isn’t just a religious ceremony; it is a recalibration of the soul. You realize that the “Shakata” or “cart” after which the place is named symbolizes the human body, and the Guru’s presence here acts as the driver, guiding the chaotic energy of the mind toward a singular point of peace. Sitting by the Tunga’s edge as the sun sets, the distinction between the self and the universe begins to blur, leaving you with a profound sense of “Aham Brahmasmi”—a realization that the divinity you sought in the stone was actually looking out through your own eyes all along.
Closer View of the Gopura
Construction Activities were on Full Swing
Bhagwan Shiva, His Avatara Shri Adi Shankara and His Disciples & Shakata Maharshi
Nestled between Hariharapura and Kammaradi, this beautiful Peetham offers a serene escape defined by its calm and cool evening atmosphere. The architectural beauty is highlighted by a stunning Rajagopura and a main entrance that opens up to a breathtaking view of the River Tunga flowing gracefully behind the temple. The well-maintained front garden, featuring tasteful lighting, enhances the tranquil vibe of the complex. Since the location remains relatively uncrowded, it provides a peaceful environment for visitors to soak in the spiritual energy and natural beauty.
Bhagwan Ganesha (on our Right as we face the Main Kshetra adjoining Gopura)
Bhagwan Subramanya (on our Left as we face the Main Kshetra adjoining Gopura)
This is the 2nd part of the series. This has details of Hariharapura Sri Adishankaracharya Sharada Lakminarasimha Peetham
What a weekend it turned out to be for me and family. We planned to drop in all these three seats of Supreme Knowledge in and around Sringeri enroute to Kumbashi. Flowing through the heart of Karnataka, the Tunga River does more than just nourish the land; it anchors a powerful spiritual corridor. From the foundational seat of Sringeri to the ancient serenity of Hariharapura and the deep-rooted traditions of Shakatapuram, these three Mathas form a golden triangle of Advaita Vedanta. Bound by a shared devotion to Goddess Sharada and the teachings of Adi Shankara, they stand as timeless guardians of India’s Vedic wisdom. Sharing my experience and some information that I gathered over the years in 3 part article, one dedicated for each of the Mathas.
You can read the 1st part – by clicking the link below Advaita Corridor: Part 1-Sringeri which has details of Sringeri Shri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Samsthanam Dakshinamnya Sharada Peetham. Click on the link below (Opens in new page)
You can read the 3rd part – by clicking the link below Advaita Corridor: Part 3-Shakatapuram which has details of Sri Jagadguru Badari Shankaracharya Samsthanam. Click on the link below (Opens in new page)
Our next stop was Hariharapura, recent addition to our Pilgrimage circuit and this was our 3rd Pilgrimage to this amazing Peetha. Shri Adi Shankaracharya Sharada Lakshminarasimha Peetam. We had the fortune of having an very blessed Darshan of Anantha Sri Vibushita Jagadguru Shankaracharya Parama Pujya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswati Mahaswamiji, the present Peethadipati of this Dharma Peetha, during our first Pilgrimage (in April 2023) and experience was surreal that we have resolved to make this pilgrimage every year without fail.
Shri Kshetra Hariharapura Gopura
Punah Pratishtha Samarambha (2023 April)
Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswati Mahaswamiji
A piece of history that we heard from an Archaka, who called himself a Sadhaka and requested not to be named since whatever knowledge being belongs to mankind and not his. Treat this information as a revelation directly received by you from the Nature (a Daiva Vani) is what he told us. Please pardon errors in translation into English (as I always say, English is a poor language to translate into from any Indian Language)
Divyakshetra Hariharapura stands as a profound spiritual epicenter, uniquely blessed by the Tunga River, which flows northward as Uttaravahini. This rare geographical alignment, considered highly auspicious in the Agama Shastras for spiritual success, earns the land the title of Siddakshetra, where any form of worship, from homa to meditation, yields manifold benefits.
The land’s history is anchored in three divine identities, the first being Yaga Bhoomi. As chronicled in the Skaanda Purana, this region—once known as Dakshashrama—was the site of Daksha Prajapati’s monumental Maha Yagna. It was here that Lord Dakshahara Someshwara emerged directly from the sacrificial fire, a manifestation that restored cosmic harmony and continues to resonate through the land’s spiritual vibrations today. Devotees still flock to the ancient Swayambhu temple to seek mental purity and the destruction of ego.
Though Entrance is at the back – Front Side of the Devalaya
Beyond sacrifice, the region is revered as Tapo Bhoomi, the site where Agastya Maharishi’s intense penance culminated in a divine vision of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. This sacred legacy is preserved in a unique temple featuring two sanctum sanctorums. Within, a massive 32-foot Lakshmi-Narasimha Mahayantra, known as the Vajrasthamba, stands tall, crowned at its peak by an emerald Margatha stone idol of the Lord, embodying the scriptural truth of His presence within the pillar as Poorna Chaitanya Murti, both worshipped by Maharshi Agastya Himself.
Finally, the land is celebrated as Jnana Bhoomi, forever marked by the footsteps of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. During his mission to revive Sanatana Dharma, the Acharya recognized the area’s potency, installing the Sri Chakra Yantra and invoking the wisdom of Goddess Sri Sharada Parameshwari. It was here that he initiated Sri Swayamprakasha Krishna Yogeendra Mahaswamiji, the first Peethadipathi, establishing an unbroken Guru Parampara. This lineage of enlightened masters has preserved the light of Advaita Vedanta for generations, making Hariharapura a timeless beacon where wisdom, devotion, and service harmoniously unite.
Historical records reveal that Divyakshetra Hariharapura flourished as a prominent Agrahara under the patronage of the Vijayanagara Empire. Specifically, the site is tied to the reign of Harihara Maharaya, the empire’s second ruler, whose name the town eventually adopted. Inscriptions dating back to the 14th century confirm that the Maharaya spearheaded the renovation of this sacred region, further solidifying its importance within the kingdom. According to later inscriptions from 1418, the Agrahara was formally established by Sambanna Wodeyar during King Harihararaya’s rule. This development was part of a larger spiritual and political tapestry, as the religious institutions at nearby Sringeri played a pivotal role in the very foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire. Because of this intimate connection between the crown and the clergy, King Harihararaya—one of the founding brothers of the royal lineage—bestowed his own name upon the Agrahara of Hariharapura, immortalizing his legacy in this sanctified land.
Ananta Sri Vibushita Jagadguru Shankaracharya Parama Pujya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswati Mahaswamiji, the current Peethadipati of this esteemed Dharma Peetham, has visionary leadership that has transformed the ancient mutt into a magnificent temple complex. This unique architectural and spiritual marvel features two distinct Garbha Grihas dedicated to Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. Within the lower Sanctum Sanctorum, a colossal 32-foot Lakshmi-Narasimha Mahayantra is established in the form of a majestic pillar known as the Vajrasthamba. At the very pinnacle of this powerful structure, the Bindu-staana, resides the auspicious idol of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, meticulously carved from precious Maragatha stone.
Beyond the physical transformation of the temple, Mahaswamiji serves as a profound spiritual guide, initiating countless devotees into Shiva Deeksha while championing the core Vedantic principles that all are one, equal, and divine. He embodies a rare and harmonious blend of rigorous Vedic austerity and unconditional love, reaching out to seekers from all walks of life. Through his tireless mission, he inspires a deep sense of devotion to the Divine and a steadfast commitment to the Motherland, Bharath, guiding his followers toward a life of spiritual purpose and national pride.
Anjaneya (2026)
Karyashiddhi Anjaneya
Nija Pada Darshana
Standing on the banks of the Tunga river in Hariharapura, one is immediately struck by the seamless fusion of ancient tradition and architectural grandeur at the Sri Adishankaracharya Sharada Lakshminarasimha Peetham. The spiritual journey begins with the sight of the towering Hanuman vigraha, a magnificent marvel uniquely depicted with Nija pada, lending a grounded and lifelike majesty to the protector of the gates.
Entrance from the rear to Vajrasthambha Lakshmi Narasimha, Maa Sharadamba, Prahlada, and Adi Shankara Devalayas
Moving into the heart of the Peetham, the air grows heavy with the potent energy of the Vajrasthambha Lakshmi Narasimha, where the ferocity of the lion-headed deity is balanced by the serene presence of Goddess Sharadamba. This sacred space feels deeply anchored in history, resonating with the penance of Agastya Muni, whose legacy remains etched into the very atmosphere of the matha. As the Tunga flows alongside the temple complex, its rhythmic waters provide a meditative soundtrack to the darshan, turning a simple visit into an immersive experience where Vedic wisdom, heroic devotion, and the raw beauty of the Malnad landscape converge into a single, unforgettable moment of grace.
Hariharapura Shrikshetra is not just a temple; it’s a powerhouse of Vedic energy. The serenity of the Tunga at this spot is took me back to my Pilgirmage to Rishikesh and Hardwar and I felt it was as holy and uplifting as Maa Ganga, especially with obvious vibes of of Agastya Muni’s Tapas here.
