Following are the important annual festivals celebrated at Sringeri Sri Sharada Peeatm.

 

        Festival Name                            Month

Makara Sankranthi                            Jan

Sri Lalitha Panchami                         Jan/ Feb  

Ratha Sapthami                                Jan/ Feb

Maha Shivarathri                               Feb/ Mar

Chandramana Ugadi                         Mar/ Apr

Sri Rama Navami                              Apr

Sri Shankara Jayanthi                       Apr/ May

Sri Girija Kalyanam                            May

Sri Nrisimha Jayanthi                         May

Abhishekha to Sri Sharadamba          May/ June

Vyasa Puja                                         July

Shravana Somavara Puja                  July/ Aug

Sri Varamahalakshmi Vratha             July/ Aug

Sri Krishna Janmashtami                   July/ Aug

Swarna Gowri Vratha                          Aug/ Sep

Sri Vinayaka Vratha                            Aug/ Sep

Sri Kedareshwara Vratha                   Sep

Sri Vamana Jayanthi                          Sep

Sri Ananthapadmanabha Vratha        Sep

Sri Uma Maheshwara Vratha             Sep

Navarathri                                          Oct

Bali Padya                                         Oct/ Nov

Karthika Somavara Puja                   Nov/ Dec

Ksheerabdhi Dwadashi                     Nov/ Dec

Laksha Deepothsava                        Nov/ Dec

Maha Pradosha                                Dec

Sri Subrahmanya Shashti                 Dec

Andhakasura Vadha                         Dec

Kalabhairavashtami                          Dec/Jan

Ardrothsava                                      Dec/ Jan

 

 

Apart from the above festivals and celebrations, the following celebrations are also conducted at the Peetam.  For the exact English calendar date of their occurrence in any year, please visit www.sringeri.net.

 

• Jayanthi (Avathara day) of the previous Jagadgurus

• Aradhana (day of attaining Mahasamadhi) of the previous Jagadgurus

• Vardanthi (Avathara day) of the ruling Jagadguru

• Pattabhishekha day (day of taking over as the pontiff) of the ruling Jagadguru

• Sanyasa Sweekara day (day of embracing asceticism) of the ruling Jagadguru

• The Rathothsava (Car festival) of Sri Sharada, Sri Malahanikareswara, Sri Vidyashankara, Sri Durgamba and Sri Shankara Bhagavathpada.

• Vidwath Sadas (Assembly of scholars during Shankara Jayanthi celebrations)

• Maha Ganapathy Vakhyartha Sabha (Assembly of scholars during Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations)

 

 

The grand Navarathri Festival of Sringeri Sharada Peetam

 

 

            The foremost among the various enchanting festivals/ celebrations of Sri Sharada Peetam is the Navarathri festival.  Celebrated during September/ October, commencing from the day after the sacred Mahalaya Amavasya day, the grand 9-day Navarathri festival pulls thousands of devotees to Sringeri from various parts of the world.  On the Mahalaya Amavasya day, the Mahabhisheka to Goddess Sri Sharadamba is performed, followed by a fascinating puja for the divine Mother, decorated with the captivating Jagadprasuthika alankara.

 

       

            From the next day onward, the grand festivities commence.  Each day sees Ambal decorated with entrancing ornaments of centuries old priceless gems.  The Alankaras (decoration) are Hamsavahana, Vrishabhavahana, Mayuravahana, Garudavahana, Indrani, Veena Sharada Mohini, Rajarajeshwari, Simhavahana and Gajalakshmi.  Everyday the Jagadguru performs an elaborate puja to the Goddess.

 

           

            At night the Jagadguru conducts the traditionally followed centuries old Durbar.  This practice has been followed during the Navarathri celebrations right from the times of the 12th Jagadguru of the Peetam, Sri Vidyaranya Mahaswamiji who granted the prayers of the famous Vijayanagara emperors Harihara and Bukkaraya that the Jagadguru of Sringeri accept the role as the Raja Guru (The Guru of the Kingdom) and adorn the Royal respects.

 

 

            In keeping with this assurance given by their predecessor to the kings, the Peetadhipathis of the Mutt have made it their duty to appear in the traditional Raja Guru form, seated on the grand golden throne, facing the Goddess and preside over the assembly.