Canacona, Goa: The Chaturmasya Vrata–2026 of the Parabhava Nama Samvatsara commenced with great grandeur, devotion, and religious fervour at the sacred Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, situated on the serene banks of the holy Kushavati River amidst the picturesque hills and forests of Goa.
Paramapoojya Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji, the 24th Pontiff of one of the foremost spiritual Maths of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community, formally undertook the sacred Chaturmasya Vrata on August 5, 2026. Beginning in the morning and continuing until evening, a series of Vedic rituals, including Ganapati Pooja, Mrittika Pooja, Vyasa Pooja, Sankalpa, and the formal commencement of the Chaturmasya Vrata, were performed in accordance with tradition.
This year’s Chaturmasya holds several historic distinctions. It marks the 10th Chaturmasya Vrata observed by Paramapoojya Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji and the fourth Chaturmasya at the Partagali Kendra Math. Prior to this, His Holiness had observed Chaturmasya at Hubballi, Badrinath, Kumta, Panvel, Bengaluru, Varanasi, and three previous times at Partagali. The present observance therefore marks his tenth Chaturmasya, once again at the headquarters of the Math.
The event also assumes historical importance as it is the first Chaturmasya to be held after the grand celebrations of the 550th anniversary of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, which were celebrated with great splendour last year. Earlier, in 2017, 2020, and 2021, Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad had observed Chaturmasya at Partagali along with his revered Guru, Paramapoojya Guruyativarya Shreemad Vidyadhiraj Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji. With the tenth Chaturmasya now being observed once again at the Kendra Math, devotees from Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and various other parts of the country have been blessed with the rare opportunity to serve and receive the blessings of Paramapoojya Swamiji.
With a rich spiritual heritage spanning nearly 370 years, the Partagali Kendra Math has become a revered centre of worship owing to the divine presence of Lord Shree Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. The sacred Guru Vrindavanas, an extensive repository of Vedas and religious scriptures, the Goshala, Adarshadham, the renovated Shree Rama Temple, and the majestic 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Shree Ramachandra, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have brought global recognition to Partagali. Blessed by the special grace of Lord Rama, the sacred kshetra is today affectionately known by thousands of devotees as the “Dakshina Ayodhya”.
As part of the 550th-year celebrations held last year, under the guidance of Paramapoojya Swamiji and with the participation of devotees from across the community, 550 crore Shree Rama Nama Japa was offered to the presiding deity over a period of 550 days. During the 11-day celebrations held in December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the festivities and inaugurated the towering 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Shree Rama.
Another major highlight of this year’s Chaturmasya is the inauguration of the Jeevottam Vidyapeetha Vedic Pathashala. Established with the objective of imparting Vedic education, Sanskrit learning, and preserving the values of Sanatana Dharma for future generations, the institution marks a significant milestone in the field of traditional Vedic education.
On the occasion, Paramapoojya Swamiji also inaugurated the newly revamped official website of the Math. Designed to make the Math’s activities easily accessible to disciples and devotees across the world, the website provides comprehensive information on religious and cultural programmes, the daily Panchanga, rare manuscripts and publications of the Math, online seva booking facilities, details of His Holiness’s Mokkam (camp) schedule, and various other services.
During the programme, Shashikant Rayappa Shanbhag, originally from Ankola and presently a Chartered Accountant based in Mumbai, offered a generous donation towards the construction of Adarshadham and the Shree Rama Theme Park. Paramapoojya Swamiji blessed the donor on the occasion.
Delivering his Ashirvachana, Paramapoojya Swamiji emphasised that pure devotion is far more important than material wealth in attaining the grace of God. God, he said, values only the sincerity of a devotee’s bhakti and not one’s worldly riches. Explaining the philosophy of karma, His Holiness stated that while every individual experiences the results of deeds performed in previous births, one should engage in righteous actions and remain dedicated to the service of the Lord in this lifetime. Such virtuous actions gradually diminish the effects of past misdeeds and ultimately make life meaningful.
The Chaturmasya observances will continue from August 5 to September 26, 2026. Throughout the period, the Math will conduct Trikala Pooja, Vedic chanting, religious discourses, Guru Bhiksha, Bhajans, various sevas, and an array of cultural programmes. Major religious observances, including Nag Panchami, Rig Upakarma, Shree Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ananta Chaturdashi, and several other festivals, will be celebrated. On every Ekadashi, Tapta Mudra Dharana will be administered by His Holiness.
Apart from spiritual programmes, several social service initiatives, including health check-up camps, blood donation camps, eye screening camps, and other welfare activities, have also been planned. Devotional music performances by renowned Bhajana Mandalis and eminent singers from across the country will form an integral part of the Chaturmasya celebrations.
The Math’s official Social Media Team has announced that all major religious programmes, cultural events, and daily activities will be broadcast live and covered through the official website and the Math’s social media platforms, enabling devotees worldwide to participate virtually.
The inaugural function was attended by students of Jeevottam Vidyapeetha, Vedic scholars, representatives of temple management committees from Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, and Maharashtra, Anil Pai, President of the Partagali Chaturmasya Committee, committee members, former Deputy Chief Minister of Goa Digambar Kamat, Srinivas Dempo, President of the Gokarn Math Central Committee, Vice-President R. R. Kamat, members of various committees, distinguished personalities, and thousands of disciples and devotees who had arrived from across India and abroad to receive the divine blessings of Hari–Vayu–Guru.
The Partagali Chaturmasya Committee has extended a heartfelt invitation to disciples and devotees residing in India and overseas to visit Partagali with their families during the Chaturmasya period, participate in the various religious programmes, and seek the divine blessings of Shree Bhratru Sahita Sitapati Ramachandra Veervittal Devaru and the sacred Guru Parampara.
