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Suttur, August 3, 2026: Women Haridasas have made a commendable contribution to devotional literature, said Vidushi Sukanya Prabhakar while delivering a special lecture on the second day of the Bhajan Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Dharmika Datti, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Srikshetra on August 3.

She observed that, in the Karnataka Haridasa tradition, the contribution of women to devotional literature has been as significant as that of men. Through profound spiritual experiences in the world of devotion, they sought and realised the divine.

Referring to prominent women Haridasas, she said that Galagaliya Avva (Ramabai), Helavanakatte Girijamma, Harapanahalli Bhimavva, Nanjangud Thirumalamba, Bellary Radhabai, Kalasada Sundaramma, Ambabai, Gundamma, and Saraswatibai silently brought about a new social and spiritual awakening through their lives and compositions.

Vidushi Sukanya Prabhakar noted with concern that many women Haridasas were child widows. There were painful instances of adolescent girls being married to elderly men, and of young lives withering even before they could fully blossom. For many such women, service to Hari became a lifeline and a source of strength.

She said their devotion was deeply personal and emotional. They worshipped Hari as a father, conversed and argued with Him, sang and danced before Him, shared moments of humour, and, when confronted by the harshness of reality, laid their heads upon His shoulder and wept. Their devotion became both an expression of anguish and a means of finding solace.

The young women Haridasas, deeply affected by the oppressive and anti-life practices of society, questioned their fate and cried out, “Why was I not granted even a little renunciation, O God?” and “Who will save me from this unbearable world?”

She said that these women faced society in their own way, often without support from anyone. Although their lives were wounded by the harshness of social customs, they gave society a shower of flowers through their hymns and devotional compositions.

Describing their works as poetry of surrender, Vidushi Sukanya Prabhakar said that the life of each woman Haridasa was itself a poem. In their compositions, they became the heroines, while the only hero was the divine magician, Sri Krishna. Through their Bhajans, they proclaimed that Sri Krishna alone was their refuge.

Following the lecture, Srinivas Poojary Yarlapadi of Udupi and his team conducted dance and Bhajan training sessions. Uppunda Rajesh Padiyar also provided Bhajan training to the participants.

The Bhajana Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Religious Endowment and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Srikshetra was inaugurated by Dr. N. B. Prakash, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, by lighting the ceremonial lamp in the divine presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamy on August 2. Dr. B. E. Rangaswamy, Smt. B. N. Veena, Prof. K. Anantharamu, Sri K. Raghuram Vajpayee, and the participants were present.

Suttur, August 2, 2026: Bhajan is an essential means of attaining inner realisation and serves as a divine force that elevates human beings from worldly life to spiritual transcendence, said His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji while delivering his benedictory address at the Bhajan Workshop organised by the Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasansthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Religious Endowment, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha, at Suttur Srikshetra on August 2.

His Holiness said that Bhajan is a sacred art form handed down through generations. It has flourished through the spiritual traditions of Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Basavanna and the Dasa tradition. A harmonious blend of Carnatic and Hindustani music, Bhajan fosters mental peace, happiness and spiritual fulfilment, he added.

Inaugurating the workshop, Dr. N. B. Prakash, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, said that Bhajan promotes unity and a spirit of cooperation among rural communities. It helps keep worldly thoughts away from the mind, instils a sense of divinity and serves as a vibrant folk art that preserves the country’s traditional culture.

Dr. B. E. Rangaswamy, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Davanagere, distributed Bhajan equipment to the participants. He said that before the advent of mass media, dramas, Veeragase, Kolata and Bhajans performed in temples served as the primary sources of entertainment in rural areas. Bhajan, he observed, nurtures a secular outlook that transcends caste, creed and religion.

Addressing the gathering, Shri K. Raghuram Vajpayee, State Vice-President of the Akhil Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha, said that Bhajan enables devotees to express a unique form of devotion to the Almighty, attain Brahmananda and experience lasting happiness. He remarked that nature itself is filled with music and rhythm, reflected in plants, trees, creepers, the blowing wind, birds and animals. Preserving this rich musical heritage, he said, is the collective responsibility of society.

Mrs. B. N. Veena, Additional Commissioner of Mysuru City Corporation, described Bhajan as a unique medium for expressing devotion. She said it plays a vital role in bringing harmony between the body and mind. She also noted that the Bhajan tradition has been instrumental in taking the compositions of Dasaru and Vadiraja, pioneers of Karnataka’s musical heritage, to the wider society.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K. Anantharam, retired Professor, said that Bhajan promotes peace of mind, devotion to God and unity in society. It contributes to spiritual upliftment and mental well-being and is a noble form of service to the Almighty. Saints and devotees followed this path to attain the grace of God, he said. He also appreciated the efforts of Suttur Srikshetra in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage through music, drama, Bhajan, meditation and several other cultural and spiritual programmes.

The programme also featured Bhajan demonstrations and Bhajan dance training sessions.

The programme commenced with an invocation by Mrs. Bhagyalakshmi and Mrs. K. Jayashree. Prof. D. S. Sadashivamurthy welcomed the gathering, Mr. R. S. Kumar proposed the vote of thanks, and Mrs. S. Savitha compered the programme.

The Bhajan workshop jointly organized by the Jagdguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, in association with the Sri Shivarathreeshwara Dharmika Datti and JSS Mahavidyapeet, held at Suttur Srikshetra commenced on August 01, 2026 evening. The participants of the workshop who are seen in the picture are introducing themselves.

Suttur, August 1, 2026: A five-day Bhajan Workshop commenced at Suttur Srikshetra on August 1, 2026, under the joint auspices of Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Religious Endowment, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

The workshop began with the blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji.

During the inaugural evening session, the campers introduced themselves and rendered a selection of bhajans, marking the beginning of the devotional and cultural activities planned as part of the workshop.

More than 220 campers from Mysuru, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Tumakuru, Dharwad, Raichur, Chitradurga, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Bidar, Bengaluru, and Bengaluru Rural districts are participating in the workshop.

The workshop will continue for five days at Suttur Srikshetra.

Suttur, July 30, 2026: A workshop on the “Use of Solar Power in Agriculture” was organised on July 29, 2026, at the ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, under the joint auspices of the Agriculture Skill Council of India, Bengaluru South Region, and the National Skill Foundation of India (OSEI).

Inaugurating the workshop, Dr. M.J. Chandregowda, Principal Scientist, ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Bengaluru, said that the Central and State Governments had introduced several schemes for the welfare of farmers. He urged farmers to make effective use of these schemes and utilise available agricultural resources efficiently to increase their income.

Dr. Chandregowda advised farmers to improve crop productivity and prepare a detailed expenditure plan before undertaking cultivation. Instead of depending on a single crop, they should plan to cultivate a variety of crops. He also encouraged them to ensure a continuous source of income by taking up allied activities such as dairy farming, poultry farming and sericulture.

Speaking as the chief guest, Shri M. Purushottam Gowda, Regional Head, Bengaluru South, Agriculture Skill Council of India, said that training programmes on the use of solar power in agriculture were being organised for farmers across the State. He explained that farmers could generate the electricity required for their agricultural operations by installing solar power systems on their farms. They could also install additional solar power units on barren land and earn income by selling the electricity generated.

Presiding over the programme, Dr. B.N. Gyanesh, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said that the workshop had been organised to help farmers become self-reliant in meeting their electricity requirements. He urged farmers to make full use of the knowledge and guidance provided during the workshop.

Referring to the rainfall deficit recorded this year, Dr. Gyanesh advised farmers to plan for suitable alternative crops. He recommended cultivating pulses such as black gram and cowpea, along with green-manure crops such as dhaincha and sunhemp, which help improve soil fertility. He also encouraged farmers to take up dairy farming, fish farming in agricultural ponds and poultry farming as alternative sources of income.

Shri Mahadevaswamy rendered the invocation. Dr. Y.P. Prasad welcomed the gathering, while Dr. Deepak also extended a welcome. Shri Shamraj compered the programme.

More than 80 farmers, along with the staff members of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, participated in the workshop.

Suttur, July 29, 2026: Emphasizing the significance of a Guru in shaping an individual’s life, Shri S.M. Siddarajappa, Retired Headmaster of Nanjangud, said that a Guru’s guidance is indispensable in making life meaningful. He was delivering a special lecture at the Guru Purnima celebration organized at the premises of JSS Educational Institutions, Suttur.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Siddarajappa said that Guru Purnima is the most significant full moon day among the twelve full moons of the year. He explained that Purnima symbolizes perfection and that the occasion is dedicated to expressing gratitude to one’s Guru. Describing the Vedas as the fountainhead of knowledge, he said that Guru Purnima is also an occasion to remember Maharshi Veda Vyasa, revered as the Adi Guru.

Paying rich tributes to Paramapujya Jagadguru Dr. Shri Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji, the three-time pontiff of Suttur Srimath, he said that the revered seer transformed the lives of lakhs of students by establishing hundreds of schools, colleges, and hostels, and by providing them with education, food, and shelter. Remembering and expressing gratitude to such great Gurus, he added, is a noble privilege for all.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri G.L. Tripurantaka, Assistant Administrator of JSS Institutions, said that Indian culture accords the highest respect to the Guru. He observed that Gurus identify the hidden potential within students, nurture their talents, and inspire them to achieve excellence. Gurus, he said, remain an integral part of every individual’s life and should be remembered with gratitude every day. Referring to the rapid advancement of technology, he remarked that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) may replace many professions, it can never replace the role of a Guru.

As part of the programme, graduation certificates were distributed to students of the Sanskrit College, Suttur.

Among those present were the heads of various JSS institutions, Shri Veerabhadraiah, Shri M. Rajashekaramurthy, Shri M. Gu. Basavanna, Shri G.M. Shadakshari, Shri G. Shivaswamy, Vidwan Dr. K.B. Mallikarjuna, and Shri S. Chandramouleshwara, among others.

The programme commenced with a prayer by school students. Ms. H.B. Sahana welcomed the gathering, Ms. Nithya proposed the vote of thanks, and Ms. Deepika compered the programme.

Students of Suttur JSS School won individual and team honours at the State-level Open Yoga Competition organised by G.K. Vinyasa Yoga Kendra and Sri Krishna Yogas, Mysuru. Also seen in the picture are the yoga masters, the school Principal, and the yoga asana instructors who guided the students.