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ciples as the heads of the four peethas. Sri Sankara is the first spiritual teacher to proclaim and the integration of Bharatha on the spiritual basis and this fact is accepted by great thinkers and writers such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr.Radhakrishnan, Max Muller H.H.Wilson etc. Kalady, the birth place of Sri Sankara remained obscure till the beginning of 20th century. Jagadguru Sri Sachidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi Swamigal, the 33rd Peetathipathi of the illustrious Sringeri guru parampara with the help of Sri. Molam Thirunal Ramavarma Maharaja of Thiruvitamcore located Kalady. His Holiness built two temples one for Goddess Sharadamba and one for Sri Sankara. The Kumbabhishekam was performed on the auspicious Magha shukla dwadasi in the year 1910 (21.02.1910). Then after Kalady grew into prominence as a great international pilgrim center. The Maha Swamiji began the conduct of Sri Sankara Jayanthi and Navarathri at Kalady from that time. In 1927 a veda Vedanta patashala was established by Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal. H.H.Sri. Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahasw-amigal laid the foundation stone for the Sree Shankaracharya University of Sanskrit at Kalady and gave liberal donation to the same. H.H. is the Chief Counsellor of the University. The Adi Sankara-Sharadamba temple complex which draws a great number of pilgrims is open to all religion. In the temple, Sree Sarada Devi who is the Parabrhama Swaroopini resides in the form of Saptha Matrukal (Brahmi Maheswari, Koumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indurani and Chamundi). Such a deity is very rare. The Vigraha of Sree Ganapathi has ten hands and the trunk is turned to the right side. This is rarely found in Kerala. The priests of Adi Sankara Janmabhumi temple are well-versed in Veda- manthras. According vedic rites Mahaganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam, Mrityunjaya homam, Sreechakra pooja etc are performed here. Attached to this temple, there is a Vedic college. The Veda Vedanta Study Centre (school) here follows the ancient Gurukula system. The students who have passed out from this school are doing good service in various parts of the world. The Padashala(School) is nearly 100 years old. Today they have more than hundred students from different parts of the world who have come to study. Devotees who visit the temple can stay in the temple guest house. Sankara Jayanthi (April/May) Vinayaka Chathurthi (Aug/Sep) Navarathri Sep/Oct, Mahapradosham Nov/Dec etc. are the important festivals of this famous temple. In every month Thrayodasha day Pradosham is celebrated in a grand scale. People from all parts of India and abroad though pilgrims or tourists regularly visit this temple for spiritual solace and peace of mind. For more information: The Hon.Manager, Sri Sringeri Shankara Mutt, Adi Shankara Janmabhumi Kshethram, Kalady, Ernakulam - 683 574 Ph: 0484 2462350, 2465922, Email: sringerikalady@gmail.com Alparakavu Bhagavathi Temple Self grown wild Durga facing east with main deity Bhadrakali sits at Alparakavu in Perumbavoor Kothamangalam route in Ernakulam district daily 5 poojas and Mattappilly Madom do the thanthries. This Devi is believed to be the sister of goddess at Iringol temple. Sub deities are Naga Raja, Yakshi and Rakshas. Festival is in Bharany of Month Kumbam, with ‘Guruthy’ and ‘Mudiyettu’.
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