Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, May 15: Sri Sri Sri Swasthisri Lalithakeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavariya Mahaswami of Jain Math, Karkala, is the seer of the ancient Math which is well known for treating everyone equally irrespective of their community. Swamiji is well-known for his kindness.

He believes in preserving culture and tradition followed by ancestors for the future generations. He advocates teaching the tradition and cultural practices to children right from their childhood.

Pattacharyavariya Swamiji, in an in-depth interview with Daijiworld editor-in-chief, Walter Nandalike on Daijiworld 24x7 channel's 'Yatishreshtaru' programme, speaks about his spiritual joumey.

Excerpts

DW: Swamiji, please explain to us about the history of this Jain Math.

Swamiji: The clan of Bhairavarasu took birth here. They worshiped Lord Padmavathi. The clan of Bhairavarasu existed here till the 16th century. The dynasty of Bhairavarasu constructed an independent Math by taking the people of the surrounding villages into confidence and converted this place into a large town. Initially, they constructed Neeminath Swami Mandir, Chaturmuka and Gomateshwara and then the Math. Inspired, several Shravakas built various Basadis in the surrounding later. Hence, 18 Jain temples were constructed independently here. Ananthashayana Temple and Venkatramana temple were also constructed. The Math was constructed according to ‘Vaastu’.

DW: What types of religious activities take place here?

Swamiji: Once in 12 years, Mastakabhisheka to Gomateshwara, annual Rathostava in December, Rathosthava of Gomateshwara Betta will take place in January and Neeminatha Swami Rathosthava will take place in March. This is the ‘Mula’ Math.

DW: Do devotees visit the Math every day?

Swamiji: There are 18 Jain temples here like I told earlier. People from various places visit these places during Navaratri, Deepavali and during the school holidays.

DW: Swamiji, please tell us about your 'Purvashrama'. Who inspired you to take the spiritual path?

Swamiji: I attended high school from a Jain Math in Moodbidri. My native is Karkala. Till 1980, I was in Moodbidri. There, I was involved in spiritual activities. Later, I went to Shravanabelagola. Till 1987, I was in Shravanabelagola.

DW: Please tell us about your family?

Swamiji: My family was into agriculture. We are four children to our parents.

DW: When did you obtain your Guru Deeksha?

Swamiji: I obtained my Deeksha on February 22, 1988.

DW: How vast the limits of this Math extended geographically?

Swamiji: It is from Chikkamagaluru district’s Elaneeru to Megunda.

DW: Swamiji, can tell us about your routine?

Swamiji: I wake up at 5 am. Later, I involve in religious practise. I will complete all the religious practise by 9 am.

DW: Has this place given shelter for people from various communities and religions?

Swamiji: Yes, this is the place where people from various religions are given shelter.

DW: Can you tell us about the most happy or unpleasant experience in your life?

Swamiji: Being a saint, though it is happiness or unhappiness, we should be always in happiness. We should keep faith only in the deity.

DW: What is your hobby?

Swamiji: We have completely offered ourselves to this 'Sanidhya'. It is important to us. Preserving the tradition of the Math is very important to us.

DW: How did you face the first wave of coronavirus?

Swamiji: There was no problem to our daily practises. We avoided going out. Some visitors came here.

DW: What is your future vision?

Swamiji: Development is difficult here. We have taken up the development of this Math. We are following the culture and tradition of this Math. We should not forget our heritage and move towards modernisation.

DW: What is your message to our viewers or to the people?

Swamiji: We should preserve the culture and tradition followed by our ancestors. Festival, practise or the spiritual journey, we should continue it. It can be cultural or religious practices as well. We should preserve the tradition of our family and culture. We should guide the next generation. Indian culture can be preserved through the traditional family system. If the youth do not have responsibility, we cannot preserve the tradition. This can be possible by teaching 'Samskara' from childhood. Our culture should be a model to others. The cultural practises should come from our heart.

Watch Full Interview: