Bhoomi Pooja

The adage “well begin is half done” applies very aptly to the Bhoomi Pooja performed for the Sankara Eye Hospital Shimoga on the 9th day of March 2006. It was an event to remember, especially to many of us who had visited Shimoga. The Bhakthi and Shradha with which the whole functions was conducted was to be seen to be believed. An Institution which taking its birth in the way it did on 9th March, 2006 at shimoga   will necessarily success be and a boon to the people in and around  Shimoga.

The 9th of March 2006 saw much activity and religious fervour in this otherwise quite and serene place, for on this day in the benign presence of H.H Sri Jayendra Saraswathy – Sankaracharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam the Bhoomi Pooja was performed. Veda Brahma Sri Mathur Markandeya Avathani supervised and conducted the whole function. The whole family was totally involved in the function the Bakthi and perfect shradha with which the scholars conducted the Vedic rituals has to be seen to be believed. All of us visitors from Coimbatore and Chennai were thrilled by the experience.

The Sankalpam specially prepared by Shri Mathur Markandeya Avathani  for the occasion was a piece by itself. A series of homas like Navagraha homa, Ganapathy homa, Ayusha homa, Mrithiyancha homa, Dhanvanthri homa, Aswini homa and Vasthu homa were performed to invoke the blessings of the God and for the well being of the hospital. Our Shimoga hospital which takes its birth in such circumstances cannot but be healthy and strong. The Sankaracharya blessed the function during the poornahuthi. Again in the evening at 5.00 the Acharya came to the site for performing the Bhoomi Pooja and laying the bricks. During this time a number of Vedics did chanting from the Vedas.

During this programme there was a very slight drizzle to show as though we have received the heavens blessings. A beautiful rainbow appeared on the eastern horizon and a Garuda came and perched on a tree adjacent to the site. All this are excellent omens.

After the Bhoomi Pooja there was an assembly in the Chenna Kesava Temple in Hosahalli graced by the Sankaracharya. The whole village had assembled there and the visitors had a taste of the scholarship and the talents of the residents of the village. The programme started with a sloka on lord Ganesha which was followed by a song. These were rendered by two elderly persons who are visually impaired, with such devotion that it touched the hearts of every one present. Dr. Narendra Bhat welcomed the gathering in chaste Kannada. A special song “Punniyakoti” composed by Dr. Nandakumara  of Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan London  was rendered by a group of  music students.

Sri Mathur Krishnamurthy delivered felicitation speech in his inimitable style the Dr.R.V.Ramani delivered a Strong and inspiring speech bracing the origin and development of the Sankara eye care movement and what it holds for the future. H.H.Sri.Jayendra Saraswathy in his Anugraha Bhashanam told us about the work being done by the Hindu Mission Hospitals. He highlighted the activities and performances of the Sankara eye care institutions. During the programme even the electricity failed and so spontaneously the young and old alike broke into Bhajans to keep the audience engaged.