[Chaturamnaya] Kalady’s Rediscoverer & Rediscovery - 9

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from previous post)
 
 https://www.sringeri.net/2010/06/27/articles/kaladys-rediscoverer-rediscovery-part-4.htm
 
Preparations for the Kumbhabhisheka
 
The consecration at Kalady was scheduled to take place in February 1910. In accordance with the Jagadguru’s instructions,
two shrines, compact, strong and beautiful, were constructed. Both these temples stood on the north bank of the
Poorna river facing south. To the east of the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, a shrine for Goddess Sharada had also been
built. This temple housed the seven Matrika Devis in seven of the eight directions (other than south). The front door way,
which faced south lead to the shrine of Sharadamba (Brahmi). Around the sanctum, the other Devis were placed so that the
single structure accommodated the remaining shrines for Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda.
 
As the Poorna river flows between high river banks, a beautiful and broad flight of thirty two steps made of granite slabs
had been built at considerable expense to lead down to the river. To the east of the temples and outside of their enclosure,
a building named “Sacchidananda Vilas” was built to serve as the residence for the Mahaswamiji. All the construction
activities were completed under the supervision of Sri A. Ramachandra Iyer and Sri E.R. Subraya Iyer. The Sarvadhikari
of the Peetham, Sri Srikantha Shastri was sent in advance to Kalady to make preparations for the Kumbhabhisheka ceremony.
 
Kalady then had no conveniences for accommodating large influx of devotees. There was no village nearby. Some three hundred
workers from Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli district were engaged to setup the necessary infrastructure for the event.
The allotted land was divided into plots and roads. On both the sides of the road six hundred cottages were built of
bamboos and bamboo mats to provide lodgings for the visitors. All necessary amenities were provided inside these houses.
About one hundred of the Mahaswamiji’s disciples had arrived in Kalady and held themselves in readiness to serve as
volunteers.
 
Disciples of the Math shared the responsibility of setting up the boarding and lodging facilities. Reception centres were
opened at the Railway station to provide conveyance for the participants. Volunteers were engaged to provide accommodation
and amenities to the visitors.
 
The twelfth day of the bright half of Magha in the year Soumya (21st February, 1910), was fixed for the Kumbhabhisheka
ceremony and invitations were sent to all the disciples of the Math and the Maharajas.
 
To be continued …
 
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