 World Hindu Council of America Inc. (VHPA)
VP, Awareness, Media, PR P.O. Box 2009, Natick, MA 01760 |
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| Press Release
Feb 28, 2018 VHPA Mourns Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal Attaining Samadhi |
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| World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is anguished to know that Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal attained samadhi on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
The Mutt, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, is one of the oldest religious institutions in the world, established by Adi Shankaracharya in 482 BCE. Paramacharya Pujyashiri Chandrasekhara Sarwaswati Swamigal, the 68th pontiff of the Mutt, with divine guidance from Goddess Kamakshi designated Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal as the 69th pontiff of the mutt on 22nd March 1954. He came to be affectionately called Puduperiaval by his devotees.
Regarded as one of the most influential Hindu saints of 20th Century, Puduperiaval’s ascendancy was one of the most important events in the history of religious freedom in India. As Southern Indian states reorganized with a new constitution starting in the early 1950s, Hindu temples and other religious institutions were taken over and controlled by the stategovernments, that started infringing on the religious liberties of Hindus and interfering with the religious practices in the Hindu temples. Puduperiaval’s knowledge of Hindu Dharma and the nobility of his actions saved thousands of Hindu temples in Southern India from destruction by the unscrupulous political parties. He undertook religious tours covering entire India more than a dozen times by visiting thousands of cities, towns, and villages, meeting millions of Hindu devotees, giving spiritual and moral direction. Without his reassuring guidance rooted in Hindu Dharma, Hindus would have lost a lot more civil rights in India. His dedicated service to the nation and Hindu Dharma has reignited a sense of dignity and empowerment among Hindus world over.
He helped renovate thousands of Hindu temples throughout India and inspired to construct new places of worship for the expanding population. He was instrumental in constructing many primary and secondary educational institutions, universities, medical schools and hospitals to serve the common people.
Puduperiaval had long association with VHPA and its sister organizations. Commenting on the samadhi of Puduperiaval, Dr. Abhaya Asthana, commented, that, “Puduperiaval’s samadhi has evoked a profound sense of grief among Hindus in America. Puduperiaval was an ardent supporter of Hindu causes, visionary and bold in action. He has set an example of spiritual leadership with a sense of service and message of equality that will guide the Hindus for generations to come. With his passing, Hindus in America have lost an inspirational leader.”
Puduperiaval’s Brindavana Pravesha Karyakarmam (final religious service as He reaches the abode of the Lord) will be performed on Thursday, March 1st starting at 8:00 AM at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. VHPA appeals to Hindu devotees to either participate in the karyam in Kanchipuram or organize prayer meetings in their cities, towns, and villages. VHPA resolves to work with 70th pontiff of Kanchi Mutt, Pujyashri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal to continue the divine work of Puduperival for the benefit of world peace by upholding the Hindu Dharma.
For more information, please contact:
Ajay Shah VP, Awareness, Media, PR World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) PO Box 2009, 18 Huron Drive, Natick, MA 01760 http://www.vhp-america.org/ Twitter: @VHPANews Phone: (858) 866-9661
Utsav Chakrabarti PO Box 2009, 18 Huron Drive, Natick, MA 01760 http://www.vhp-america.org/ Twitter: @VHPANews
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| About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent national organization of Hindus in USA. VHP of America Inc. is a 501(3)(c), non-profit, tax-exempt volunteering organization founded in 1970. It has branches across the country that help the needy people regardless of their race, religion, color, ethnicity, or gender. VHP of America Tax ID# is 510-156-325. |
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| World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
http://www.vhp-america.org· P.O. Box 2009, Natick, MA 01760 · (732)-744-0851 · office@vhp-america.org |
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Source: VHPA