New Delhi, September 23, 2025: On the sacred occasion of Navratri, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati, the 70th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people of India. Marking the beginning of Navratri celebrations at the revered Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram, he prayed for the welfare and prosperity of the nation and described the festival as a reflection of India’s spiritual and cultural unity.
The Shankaracharya emphasized that the tradition of Navratri worship at the Kamakshi temple, established by Adi Shankaracharya nearly 2,500 years ago, continues to hold profound significance in Sanatana Dharma. He described Navratri as a festival that strengthens the bonds of cultural harmony across the country and urged devotees, especially from northern India, to visit Kanchipuram during this auspicious period to seek the blessings of Goddess Kamakshi.
In a special released video message, Swami Vijayendra Saraswati, highlighted that just as Ambaji, Kamakhya, and Vindhyavasini are among India’s revered Shakti Peethas, so too is Kanchi’s Kamakshi temple one of the foremost centers of Devi worship. “Even the very utterance of the name Kamakshi bestows auspiciousness and divine grace,” he said, quoting from the Lalita Sahasranama to underline her spiritual glory.
Recounting a legendary episode, the Shankaracharya recalled how King Dasharatha of Ayodhya once journeyed to Kanchipuram to worship Goddess Kamakshi in his quest for progeny. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess blessed him with four sons, including Lord Rama. This ancient bond between Ayodhya and Kanchipuram, he noted, is still visible today in the temple’s sculptural traditions.
He further explained that Adi Shankaracharya not only consecrated the Sri Chakra in front of the Kamakshi temple but also emphasized the importance of Kumari Puja (the worship of young girls) as a vital part of Navratri rituals. To this day, these practices are followed with devotion. During Navratri, special ceremonies and processions are held in which Goddess Kamakshi is venerated not only as Durga, but also in her forms as Lakshmi and Saraswati.
“The greatness of Kamakshi lies in her threefold manifestation,” the Shankaracharya observed. “By worshipping her, devotees receive the blessings of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati simultaneously. This makes the darshan at Kanchipuram especially unique and spiritually fulfilling.”
He also paid tribute to his illustrious predecessors—the 68th Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, and the 69th Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswati—who strengthened and preserved this sacred tradition of worship at the Kamakshi temple.
The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, founded by Adi Shankaracharya as the central seat (Nabhi Peetham) among his four cardinal institutions, continues to guide devotees across generations, nurturing the timeless heritage of Sanatana Dharma.