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Kalady
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SRI SANKARACHARYA


Adi Sankara who born here as the only son of ''Sivaguru'' and ''Aryamba'', a Namboothiri couple. His early life was marked by several miraculous exploits that singled him out for a divine role. It was he who played a major role in saving the Hindu religion from the ritualistic and superstitious state to which it had degenerated. At his birth Astrologers] Had Predicted Among Other Things, That He Would Become A 'sarvajna' Or An All-knowing Sage. The Extaordinarly Intelligent Boy Mastered The Vedas And Completed His Studies When He Was Merely 16 Years Of Age. He Then Started His Quest For Truth And Spent Many Years Of His Life Preaching The Veda Dharma as well as its universality and superiority. He established four 'maths' in four corners of the country - Sringeri (in the South, Dwaraka (in the West), Joshimath (in the North} and Puri (in the East). His commentaries on the Upanishad s, Brahmasustra and the Bhagavad Gita hold relevance even today. At the age of 32, Adi Sankara attained 'mahasamadhi' in the Himalaya s.


ADI SANKARA'S SHRINE


Adi Sankara's shrine at Kalady run by the Sringeri Math is a large, partly open structure situated right on the northern bank of the river Periyar or Purna. Of the two major shrines within, one is dedicated to Sri Sankaracharya and the other to Goddess Saradamba, the main deity of Sringeri. The samadhi of Sri Sankara's mother ''Aryamba'' is also located here. A small shrine to Vinayaka , or Ganapati , is the scene of evening prayers, chanted to the rhythmic ringing of cymbals. The worship in these temples is done by Tamil or Kannada Smartha Brahmins and not by Nampoothiri s.

West of the Sringeri Mutt temples is a temple dedicated to Sri Krishna . The worship in this temple is done by Namboothiris.


RAMAKRISHNA ADVAITA ASHRAM


The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram not far from the Sri Krishna temple, has a spacious prayer hall and a beautiful shrine modelled on the Sri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math. The white marble statue of Sri Ramakrsihna seems to be the very epitome of tranquility. The Ashram also runs a school, charitable dispensary and library.


SRI ADI SANKARA KEERTHI STHAMBAM


Not far from the Ramakrishna Ashram, from the top of the tall 8-storey-high brilliantly painted pink memorial, the Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam . one can have a splendid view of the surrounding palm-fringed green fields. The entrance to the memorial, guarded by two elephant statues, leads to the Paduka Mandapam which has two silver knobs representing the 'padukas' or wooden sandals of the Teacher. As one ascends the winding steps, framed relief paintings narrate the story of Adi Sankaracharya. Several large statues of Ganapati, Adi Sankara and others are also housed in this memorial. This was built by the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Adi Sankara's shrines in Kaladi are open to all pilgrims irrespective of religion or caste.


FESTIVALS


Sankara Jayanti is celebrated for 5 days in April/May every year. The celebtation includes several religious rites. Navarathi is celebrated for 9 days during September/October) with music concerts, chariot festival, 'rathostavam' and other exciting festivities.


AROUND KALADY


Kerala Sanskrit University is located at Kaldy.

Manickamangalam temple, one km north of Kaladi, dedicated to Bhagavathi or Goddess Durga, Vellamanthulli temple, 2 km west of Kaladi, Malayattoor church on a hillock 8 km away and Kallil Temple 22 km away are the other places of interest around Kalady. There is a College "Sree Sankara College" named after Sankarcharya at Kalady.

Pandalakkudam Temple, Panayali, 2 km from Kalady.


HOW TO REACH


Cochin International Airport , Nedumbassery is the nearest airport just 10 km away from Kalady. Angamaly 10 km away, or Aluva 22 km away, are the nearest railway stations which are connected to major Indian cities. Buses and taxis are available from Angamaly to Kaladi. Kaladi is connected by public transport system with important towns in Kerala including Thrissur , Thiruvananthapuram , Palakkad and Kozhikode .