The Sringeri Sharada Peedathipathi Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Bharati Thirtha Mahaswamij, who has reached here for 15-days tour of the State, was given a rousing welcome with State honours at the State entry point of Walayar on Wednesday.
The Sankaracharya was received by Minister for Tourism A.P. Anilkumar at Walayar by presenting an umbrella on behalf of the State government.
The Minister said that he was directed by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to provide all possible arrangements for the successful conduct of the visit of Sri Sankaracharya.
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The Minister was accompanied by District Collector P.M. Ali Asgar Pasha, District Superintendent of Police M.P. Dinesh and other top officials.
The Sankaracharya was given a Guard of honour and the police band played the welcome song.
He is the special guest of the State government during his visit to the State.
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The Sankaracharya was also received at Walayar by State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha V. Ramalingam, Chief Co-ordinator of the visit of the Swamiji, R.S. Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of the Reception Committee N.N. Ramachandran, Convenor S.N. Varadharajan, V.S. Vijayarghavan, former M.P, among others.
In his reply to the reception, the Sankaracharya of Sringeri has said that he has a special place for Kerala because it is the birth place of Adi Sankara.
In his previous visits to the State also rousing receptions were given across the State showing the love and affection of the people of Kerala to the head of Sringeri Math, he said.
He thanked the Kerala government for according him a warm reception and making all arrangement for his 15-days visit to the State from Wednesday.
Enroute, the Sankaracharya was given a civil reception by Palakkad Municipality at Chandranagar junction..
After that the Swamiji was received at Sree Sarada Sankara Kalyanamandapam at Nurani Village in the town, where he is camping, with Poornakumbam, Dhooli Pada Pooja, Swagatha Pathrika Samarpanam by Palakkad Citizens and Nurani Grama Samudayam.
The Sankaracharya made the Anugraha Bhashanam followed by Stothra parayanam, devotional music and Bhajans.
After that the Sankaracharya had conducted the Chandramouleeswara Pooja followed by Vedaparayanam and devotional music.