THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Chaturmasya Vrata 2026 of the Parabhava Nama Samvatsara commenced on August 5 at the Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math on the banks of the Kushavati River.
H.H. Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji, the 24th Pontiff of the Math, formally undertook the Chaturmasya Vrata with Vedic rituals including Ganapati Pooja, Mrittika Pooja, Vyasa Pooja, Sankalpa and the formal commencement of the observance.
This year marks the 10th Chaturmasya Vrata observed by Swamiji and the fourth at the Partagali Kendra Math. Earlier observances were held at Hubballi, Badrinath, Kumta, Panvel, Bengaluru, Varanasi and three previous times at Partagali.
The observance is also the first Chaturmasya at the Math following its 550th anniversary celebrations held last year. Swamiji had earlier observed Chaturmasya at Partagali in 2017, 2020 and 2021 along with his Guru, H.H. Shreemad Vidyadhiraj Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji.
The Partagali Kendra Math, established nearly 370 years ago, houses the deities of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Guru Vrindavanas, a Vedic library, Goshala, Adarshadham, the renovated Shree Rama Temple and a 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Rama inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Math's 550th anniversary celebrations.
As part of those celebrations, devotees completed 550 crore Shree Rama Nama Japa over 550 days.
During this year's Chaturmasya inauguration, the Jeevottam Vidyapeetha Vedic Pathashala was launched to provide education in the Vedas and Sanskrit.
Swamiji also inaugurated the Math's redesigned official website, which provides information on religious and cultural programmes, the daily Panchanga, publications, online seva bookings, camp schedules and other services for devotees.
Chartered accountant Shashikant Rayappa Shanbhag, originally from Ankola and now based in Mumbai, donated towards the construction of Adarshadham and the Shree Rama Theme Park. Swamiji blessed the donor during the programme.
In his Ashirvachana, Swamiji said devotion was more important than material wealth in attaining God's grace. He said individuals experience the results of past deeds but should continue to perform righteous actions and remain devoted to God, as such actions help reduce the effects of past karma.
The Chaturmasya observances will continue until September 26. The programme includes Trikala Pooja, Vedic chanting, religious discourses, Guru Bhiksha, bhajans, sevas and cultural events. Festivals including Nag Panchami, Rig Upakarma, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Ananta Chaturdashi will be observed, while Tapta Mudra Dharana will be administered on every Ekadashi.
The Math has also planned health check-up camps, blood donation drives, eye screening camps and other welfare activities during the period. Devotional music performances by bhajan groups and singers from different parts of the country will also be organised.
The Math's social media team said major religious programmes and daily activities will be streamed live through its official website and social media platforms.
The inaugural function was attended by students of Jeevottam Vidyapeetha, Vedic scholars, representatives of temple committees from Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Partagali Chaturmasya Committee president Anil Pai, former deputy chief minister Digambar Kamat, Gokarn Math Central Committee president Srinivas Dempo, vice-president R. R. Kamat, committee members and devotees from India and abroad.
