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.