Sri Vadiraja Swamy Aradhana Mahotsava begins at Karnataka\'s Sodematha

Sirsi (Karnataka): Hundreds of devotees gathered to have the 'darshan' of the five-century old crown, shawl and the ‘Paduka’ of Shri Vadiraja Teertha Swamiji during his 422nd “Aradhana Mahotsav” at Sonda on Monday.

The main branch of Sode Math (one of the eight Matts of Udupi) is situated at Sonda village in Uttara Kannada district. Sri Vadiraja Teertha Swamiji, the 20th seer of Sode Math who lived between 1480 AD and 1600 AD is considered a great saint in the Madhva tradition.

Sonda was one of the Kingdoms in medieval history. Story goes that Sri Vadiraja Swamiji defeated the tyrant religious head of the Sonda Kingdom in an argument.

As a mark of his victory he was honoured with the Pearl embedded crown, ‘Asana’ ‘Chatra,’ and ‘Chamara.’

Considering the request of the Sonda King, the seer stayed in Sode.

In 1600 AD, at the age of 120 years, Sri Vadiraja swamiji entered Vrindavan at Sonda. He left his saffron shawl and Paduka (the sandals) for the devotees.

Since then, every year during the ‘Aradhana,’ celebration (the day the Swamiji entered Vrindavana) all his belongings- the crown, pearl throne, “Paduka”, shawl and others are offered special pooja and displayed for the devotees.

Hundreds of devotees gather to have the ‘darshan,’ of the belongings which are carefully preserved by the Math for over four centuries.