Yatras

Chittorgarh – The Land of Valour

Uttar Bhārat Yātrā of H.H. Shrīmat Sadyojāt Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī
March 5th to April 1st 2025
Chittorgarh Camp (9th – 12th March 2025)  

Inputs by Shilpā Mudūr
 

9th March 2025
Pūrṇa-Kumbha Swāgata

 

 

Following a divine shivir at Sūrat, H.H. Swāmījī and His entourage arrived in Chittorgarh, a city renowned for its majestic fortresses and rich Rājput history. The devoted sādhaka-s of Sāraswat samāja warmly welcomed their revered 'Shaṅkarāchārya' with a Pūrṇa-kumbha Swāgata, Pāda-praks͟hālana and the traditional showering of rose petals.

10th March 2025
Guru Vandanā Mahotsava

 

 

The three-day Guru Vandanā Mahotsava, organized by the Sāraswat Brāhmaṇa Sevā Saṁsthāna and Mā Shāradā Sevā Samiti, began on the morning of 10th March with a thought-provoking presentation by Dharmaprachāraka, Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Dr. Chaitanya Gulvāḍy on the history of Sāraswat-s, the Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h Guruparamparā, and its various initiatives.

10th March 2025
Swāgata Dharma Sabhā

 

 

 

 

This was followed by the Swāgata Dharma Sabhā, where Shrī Mahendra Joshījī delivered the welcome address on behalf of the organizing committee. Sādhaka-s were then blessed with an Āshīrvachana by H.H. Swāmījī. After the Pādukā pūjana conducted by the organizing committee members, H.H. Swāmījī performed the Tīrtha vitaraṇa for all devotees.

10th March 2025
Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa

 

 

In the evening session, the Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa saw enthusiastic participation from both the Mātṛ Varga and Purus͟ha Varga. It was heartwarming to see little girls, as young as 8 or 9, earnestly repeating the three shloka-s of the Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hānam.

10th March 2025
Shrī  Shivapūjana

 

Around 100 sādhaka-s attended the Shrī Shivapūjana performed by Pūjya Swāmījī that evening, repeating mantra-s and As͟hṭottarashata nāmāvalih of Shiva with great devotion. After the pūjana, devotees eagerly sought darshana of Lord Bhavānīshaṅkar and were keen to learn more about the deity – the vigraha.

11th March 2025
Chittorgarh Fort
   
The following morning, the Chitrāpur Sāraswat sādhaka-s set off early for a visit to the Chittorgarh Fort. The tour guide spoke highly of the land of Mewār, from which arose the fragrance of bhakti, tyāga and balidāna. The legendary saint Mirābāī, a fervent devotee of Lord Kris͟hṇa, was married to the ruler of Mewār, and the fort houses a temple dedicated to her. Her life was a living example of sacrifice and renunciation. The fort also stands as a symbol of resistance against Mughal invasions, with the rulers of this region steadfastly refusing to submit to external pressures. The fort is a poignant reminder of the mass jauhar performed by Rānī Padmāvatī and other women to protect their honour.

H.H. Swāmījī and the sādhaka-s visited several significant locations within the fort, which is today home to nearly 700 families –

 

 

Kumbha Shyām Mandir

 

 

 

Kālikā Mandir

 

Shrī Neelkaṇt͟h Mahādev Mandir

 

Visits were also made to Karṇāvatī Jauhar Sthala, Padmāvatī Temple Gaumukh Reservoir and Padmāvatī Palace.

 

11th March 2025
Sānwariyā Set͟h Mandir, Maṇḍphiyā

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon, H.H. Swāmījī, accompanied by the sādhaka-s, visited the renowned Sānwariyā Set͟h Mandir, in the village, Maṇḍphiyā, a grand temple dedicated to Lord Kris͟hṇa. The vigraha of Lord Kris͟hṇa is carved in black stone. Devotees believe that visiting Shrī Sānwariyā Set͟h's Darbār fulfills all their wishes. In a brief address to the gathered devotees, H.H. Swāmījī spoke about the importance of surrendering to the Lord while simultaneously pursuing the purus͟hārtha-s of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma, keeping faith that the Lord ensures the yogaks͟hema of all His devotees.

 

11th March 2025
Phoolon kī Holī – Phaag Utsava

 

 

Late evening, after dinner, the Chitrāpur Sāraswat sādhaka-s were fortunate to witness the Phaag Utsava. In Rājasthān, Holī and the arrival of spring are celebrated by showering each other with rose petals called phoolon kī holī. The traditional dance, performed to folk songs by women dressed in beautiful red and white sarī, was a truly delightful sight.

 

12th March 2025
Niropa Samāroha

 

 

 

In the concluding Dharma Sabhā, held late morning of 12th March, the local Sāraswat-s honoured H.H. Swāmījī with offerings of gratitude and reverence.

 

12th March 2025
Ābhāra Prakaṭana

 

 

 

With a loving gesture of Ābhāra Prakaṭana the Chittorgarh Sāraswat-s bid farewell to their Chitrāpur Sāraswat bāndhava-s assuring that this camp has forged a connection with their Guru that will remain forever.

 

12th March 2025
Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa   

 

 

 

 

The second session of Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa was equally well-attended, with both men and women sādhaka-s eager to learn the rituals. The sincere interest of the Chittorgarh sādhaka-s in upāsanā was noteworthy.

 

 

12th March 2025
Informal interaction with H. H. Swāmījī 

 

The three-day event culminated in an informal interaction with H.H. Swāmījī on the open lawns in front of Hotel Padminī. This session was attended by nearly 150 sādhaka-s from Chittorgarh and surrounding villages, including sādhaka-s from as far as Bhilwārā and Udaipur. The joy and satisfaction of all sādhaka-s after being showered by the Divine Blessings of H.H. Swāmījī was indeed palpable. Pūjya Swāmījī said, “Ādhyātmika sparsha pratyeka sādhaka ko huā aise jānkar khushī huī!” Next morning H. H. Swāmījī and the entourage left for Jaipur…