Friday, January 14 2005 19:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kalavai (TN): Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi performed special pooja on the auspicious occasion of Pongal (harvest festival of Tamil Nadu) at the Mutt's Brindavan complex in Kalavai today (Jan 14, 2005).

The Shankaracharya, camping at the complex since his release on bail on January 10, also performed the Trikala pooja besides the special Chandramouliswara pooja in the afternoon.

The flow of devotees to the Mutt was thin till the late afternoon before it picked up. The festivities were rather subdued in the wake of the filing of cases against the Seer.

Kanchi Mutt lawyer Y Thyagarajan summed up the mood saying ''it is not a happy Pongal, particularly for the Shankara Mutt.'' The other highlight of the day in Kalavai was the visit of the Shankaracharya of the Swarna Valli Mutt in Karnataka, Gangadharendra Saraswathi. He is the first religious head to visit the Seer since his release on bail.

The visiting Seer performed the nearly five-hour long 'Sri Chakra pooja' which he usually performs on Fridays. The Kanchi Seer briefly witnessed the pooja, Kannada film actor Ramakrishna, who accompanied the Swarna Valli Mutt Seer, told reporters later.

He said the Seer was calm and blessed the devotees but was continuing his 'maun vrat.'

Retired Madras High court judge M Arunachalam visited the Seer for the third day today.