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The Shravanamasa Pooja and Pravachana programme at Suttur Srikshetra was inaugurated by Smt. M.S. Archana, Managing Director, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation, Mysuru, in the divine presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamy. Vidwan Dr. Mysore Manjunath, Smt. R. Aishwarya, Additional District Commissioner, Mysuru, and Sri Tontadarya Swamiji of Sri Pattada Math, Hanchipura, were present on the occasion.

Suttur, August 12, 2026: “Shravana is a sacred month for Hindus. It is a special blessing for all of us to have the opportunity to participate in this programme,” said Smt. R. Aishwarya, Additional District Magistrate, Mysuru, while presiding over the inaugural ceremony of the Shravanamasa Pravachana (discourse) programme held at Suttur Srimath on Wednesday, August 12, in the divine presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Aishwarya said that participating in such a gathering brought back memories of the Anubhava Mantapa. She observed that Suttur Srimath has been making a unique contribution in the religious, spiritual, cultural and educational fields.

She advised students to have a clear and specific goal in life and to actively participate in the task of nation-building. She further said that Suttur Srimath has been continuously working for the welfare and development of students.

Smt. M.S. Archana, Managing Director, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation, Mysuru, inaugurated the programme. She said that Suttur Srimath has been enriching and preserving the culture and heritage of India by regularly organising religious and spiritual programmes.

“Listening to noble and positive thoughts during the sacred month of Shravana helps purify and enrich our lives,” she said.

Chief guest Vidwan Dr. Mysore Manjunath said that the season of Hindu festivals begins with the month of Shravana. He observed that listening to discourses on Lord Shiva during this sacred month is spiritually significant and said that sincere devotion helps fulfil one’s aspirations. He noted that people of all age groups, from young children to senior citizens, can listen to spiritual discourses and benefit from them. Such discourses, he said, help cultivate love, faith, harmonious coexistence and devotion.

Sri Tontadarya Swamigal of Sri Pattada Math, Hanchipura, Saraguru Taluk, who was present on the occasion, said that Suttur Srimath has been continuously organising Pravachana programmes for several decades. He stressed that merely listening to spiritual discourses is not enough and said that the teachings heard during such programmes should be implemented in everyday life in order to make one’s life meaningful.

As part of the programme, Prof. H.B. Devanna, Kannada Professor at JSS College, commenced the discourse on Shivatattva Chintamani, a work authored by Lakkanna Dandesha.

Gurukul sadhakas, officials of JSS institutions, devotees from Suttur and residents of surrounding villages participated in the programme. School students rendered the invocation. Headmaster Sri M.G. Basavanna welcomed the gathering. Teacher Sri H.M. Dayanandaswamy compered the programme, while Teacher Sri S. Chandramouleshwar proposed the vote of thanks.

Suttur, August 6, 2026: “Bhajan serves as a bridge between God and devotees. Through Bhajan, people express their devotion to God with love and experience a unique sense of joy,” said Shri Girish Rao Hatwar (Jogi), Editor of Kannada Prabha daily and writer.

He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the Bhajan Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Dharmika Datti and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Srikshetra.

Shri Girish Rao Hatwar said that practising Bhajan at home helps people overcome mental distress and attain peace and tranquillity. “The language of poetry and the language of divinity are the same. We should cultivate faith in the formless, the intangible and the infinite,” he observed.

Smt. Shailaja Priyadarshini, Administrator, Advocate General’s Office, Karnataka High Court, said it was heartening to see the younger generation taking an interest in and practising Bhajan. She observed that devotion can lead one towards salvation and that Bhajan has the power to make the worship of God accessible even to people living in the remotest places.

Shri Gundappa Gowda, President of the Vidyavardhaka Sangha, recalled the tradition of Bhajan in rural life. He said that in earlier times, people in villages would gather for Bhajan every evening after completing their agricultural activities. Singing and listening to Bhajans were an integral part of community life. He noted that saints and composers such as Kabir Das, Thyagaraja and Mirabai sought to reach and please the divine through Bhajan.

He further observed that Dr. Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamy of Sri Salur Brihanmath, Male Mahadeshwara Hills, has been instilling the values and culture of Indian heritage among children, while Suttur Srimath has been contributing significantly to personality development. By introducing people to ancient Indian arts and traditions, the path of devotion has been made accessible to the common people, he said.

Gracing the occasion with his divine presence and blessings, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji said that Bhajan helps people forget worldly worries, remember the Lord and immerse themselves in the spiritual realm.

“Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Akkamahadevi and Basavanna expressed their innermost spiritual yearning and devotion to the Lord through Bhajans. Everyone should cultivate the habit of performing Bhajan at home every day and experience mental peace,” His Holiness said.

Resource persons Sri Uppunda Rajesh Padiyar and Sri Srinivas Yarlapadi shared their observations about the workshop. Camp participants Sri D.T. Gopinath, Smt. G. Suprabha and Ch. Triguna shared their experiences and impressions of the camp.

As part of the valedictory programme, trained artistes presented Bhajans, Mandala Bhajans and Bhajanotsava, adding a devotional dimension to the concluding ceremony.

Sri Panchakshariswamy rendered the invocation. Dr. D.M. Mahendramurthy welcomed the gathering. Sri A.M. Shivakumaraswamy presented the workshop report, while Sri R.S. Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. Prof. D.S. Sadashivamurthy compered the programme.

Suttur, August 7, 2026: National Horticulture Day and the Butterfruit Field Festival were organised on Friday, August 7, 2026, as part of the birth anniversary celebrations of the Father of Horticulture, Dr. M. H. Marigowda.

The programme was jointly organised by ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur; ICAR-IIHR Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Chettahalli; Department of Horticulture, Mysuru; and the Institute of Agricultural Technologists (IAT), Mysuru.

Inaugurating the programme, retired Joint Director of Agriculture Dr. Vishakanta said that butterfruit has gained good market demand in recent years and has emerged as a horticultural crop with the potential to generate higher income for farmers. However, priority must be given to understanding market requirements, selecting suitable varieties, adopting scientific cultivation practices, and using quality seedlings. He said that good productivity and a stable income can be achieved only when the crop is cultivated under proper scientific guidance.

Chandru, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Nanjangud, provided information on various schemes and subsidies offered by the Horticulture Department, including support for nursery development, establishment of plantations, irrigation facilities, and other interventions. He urged farmers to make effective use of the schemes available through the department.

Shivashankarappa, Director of Horticulture, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, spoke about the life and achievements of Dr. M. H. Marigowda and recalled his immense contribution to the growth of the horticulture sector in Karnataka. Sharing his experiences of working with Dr. Marigowda, he said that several commercial horticultural crops gained popularity in the State as a result of his vision and efforts.

Presiding over the programme, Dr. Gyanesh B. N., Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said that one of the key objectives of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra is to provide farmers with scientific information on new horticultural crops as part of National Horticulture Day. Butterfruit has the potential to emerge as a promising commercial crop in the future, he said.

He advised farmers to use quality planting material and adopt integrated crop management practices to achieve higher returns. He also urged them to make effective use of the technical guidance and training programmes conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

During the technical session, Dr. Muralidhar B.M., Scientist, ICAR-IIHR, Chettahalli, provided detailed information on the history of butterfruit, the contribution of the Father of Horticulture, Dr. M. H. Marigowda, and the background behind the popularisation of the crop in Karnataka.

He also explained various aspects of butterfruit cultivation, including varieties, value addition, nutritional importance, integrated nutrient management, irrigation systems, integrated pest and disease management, post-harvest management, and opportunities in domestic and export markets. He emphasised the importance of adopting scientific methods in butterfruit cultivation for better productivity and returns.

In the same technical session, Dr. Nayan Deepak provided practical information on butterfruit plant production, grafting techniques, quality nursery management, production of certified seedlings, and opportunities for farmers and young entrepreneurs to earn additional income through the nursery industry.

Dr. Ravindra, retired Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vishwanath, Dr. Vinay G. M., Dr. Prasad, Dr. Deepak, Dr. Rakshit, Mrs. Divya, Mr. Shamraj, staff members of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, officials of the Horticulture Department, and members of the Institute of Agricultural Technologists participated in the programme.

More than 120 farmers from various districts, including Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Hassan, participated in the programme and benefited from the technical sessions and field-level information shared by the experts.

Suttur, August 5, 2026: The fragrance of Bhajan should permeate the mind and heart, filling them with divine devotion, peace and positivity, said Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao while delivering a lecture on the fourth day of the Bhajan Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Dharmika Datti, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha, at Suttur Srikshetra on August 5.

He said that Bhajan is an integral part of India’s culture and a simple means of reaching the Supreme Lord through pure devotion and receiving divine grace. Where there is Bhajan, there is no division, he observed.

Prof. Ramamurthy Rao said that Bhajan brings peace to the mind, removes negative thoughts, and nurtures love and trust in society. The spirit of divine devotion, peace and positivity should remain alive in every individual’s mind and heart, he added.

Highlighting the importance of rural Bhajan traditions, he described them as the lifeblood of the folk devotional heritage. Rural Bhajan, he said, is an ancient art form that brings villagers together and helps preserve and strengthen moral and cultural values.

He noted that the chanting of divine names and collective singing have held great significance since the time of the Dasa tradition and the Sharanas. Bhajan became a common platform where everyone in the village could come together, irrespective of caste or creed.

Prof. Ramamurthy Rao also explained the nine paths of devotion through which one may seek the grace of the Lord: Shravana, Kirtana, Smarana, Padasevana, Archana, Vandana, Dasya, Sakhya, and Atmanivedana.

He said that Shravana involves listening with devotion to stories of God, the Puranas, and the glories of the Lord. Kirtana refers to singing the Lord’s virtues, praises and names, while Smarana is the constant remembrance of His form and name in the mind.

Padasevana means serving the feet of the Lord with devotion, while Archana refers to ritual worship using flowers, sandalwood and other offerings. Vandana is bowing down in reverence and surrender, and Dasya is serving the Lord as a devoted servant.

He explained that Sakhya is to love the Lord and remain close to Him as one would with a dear friend, while Atmanivedana is the complete surrender of oneself. He added that our ancestors dedicated their body, mind and wealth in devotion through Bhajan in order to receive divine grace.

As part of the workshop, Srinivasa Poojary Yarlapadi of Udupi and his team conducted dance and Bhajan training for school students, while Uppunda Rajesh Padiyar provided training to the participating Bhajan teams.

Earlier in the morning, members of the Bhajan teams participated in yoga practice and meditation.

Prof. M. Krishnegowda delivers a lecture at the Bhajan Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Religious Endowment, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Srikshetra on August 4. Bhajan groups participating in the workshop are seen listening attentively to his lecture.

Suttur, August 4, 2026: The experience of pure love and devotion within the heart is greater than external rituals or the grandeur of words, said Prof. M. Krishnegowda while delivering a lecture on the third day of the Bhajana Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Religious Endowment, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha, at Suttur Srikshetra on August 4.

He said that dedication is essential in music, literature and spiritual pursuits. Bhajan places greater emphasis on touching the heart and purifying the inner self.

Highlighting the importance of the rural Bhajan tradition, Prof. Krishnegowda described it as the lifeblood of the folk and spiritual culture of villages. He said that Bhajan is a powerful force that unites rural communities and helps preserve religion and culture.

He observed that when people sit together and sing Bhajans, irrespective of caste or religion, it creates peace, harmony and unity. Through devotional songs, traditional values, devotion and moral teachings are passed on to future generations. Philosophical compositions also convey the essential truths of life and human values, he added.

Prof. Krishnegowda said that the Bhajan tradition, as an art of worship, possesses a rich literary heritage. The Bhakti tradition forms the foundation of Bhajan, and the leading exponents of Dasa literature also emerged from this spiritual heritage.

He noted that several senior poets who brought Bhajans into the folk tradition have enriched Karnataka’s devotional legacy. He mentioned Kadakola Madivalappa, Shishunala Sharif, and Kudalur Basavalinga Sharan among those who significantly nurtured the Bhajan tradition in the State.

As part of the workshop, Srinivasa Poojary Yarlapadi of Udupi and his team conducted dance-Bhajan training, while Uppunda Rajesh Padiyar provided Bhajan training to the participants.

Earlier in the morning, members of the participating Bhajan teams took part in yoga practice and meditation. They later watched an animated documentary on the Guru lineage of Sri Math at Suttur Darshan and learned about the illustrious history of the Math.

The participants also visited the original Math, Sri Someshwara Temple, Sri Mahadeshwara Ragibeesida Kallu, and Sri Veerabhadreshwara Temple, where they had darshan and received blessings.

They subsequently visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and witnessed a demonstration of various crops. At the goshala, they were provided information about indigenous breeds of cows.