Sringeri Swamiji performing a pooja to the deities, 1965

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Institute Events , Visiting VIPs , Campus Facilities

This photograph was taken at the Jalakanteshwara Temple, IIT Madras. The main deities of Jalakanteshwara Temple are Lord Shiva (Jalakanteshwara) and Devi Katyayani.

The photograph was taken during the visit of Sringeri Sharada Peethadhipati Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Swamiji. The Swamiji was the 35th Jagadguru Sankaracharya of the Sringeri Sarada Pitha. The Sringeri Matha was established in the 8th century CE by the saint Adi Sankara. It is situated in Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru District in Karnataka. Swamiji visited IIT Madras in 1965, most likely as a part of his all-India tour which began in June 1964.

According to a website, the Shiva lingam was present under a mandapam and a thatched roof near the IIT lake prior to the establishment of IIT Madras. Residents of villages nearby would offer their worship to the Shiva lingam. It was with the suggestion of Mahaperiyavar that the residents of the Institute built a temple during the establishment of IIT Madras to continue the worship of the idol.

Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

Visit of Sringeri Swamiji, 1965

Photograph ID:

001/0258/IMG_0320

Album ID:

0258

Date:

7 November 1965

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1936-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Visit of Sringeri Swamiji

Place:

Jalakanteshwara Temple