Sringeri Jagadguru performs Vedapatashala Sankusthapana in Andhra Pradesh

Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji performed the Sankusthapana of a Vedapatashala at Orvakallu, planted sacred saplings and praised Joginipally Santosh Kumar's Green India Challenge for promoting afforestation, rewilding and ecological awareness rooted in Sanatana Dharma

Hyderabad: As part of the sacred Dharma Vijaya Yatra, His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham performed the Sankusthapana of a Vedapatashala at Orvakallu in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, marking a historic moment that blended the revival of Vedic learning with the mission of ecological restoration.

Setting the spiritual tone for the occasion, the following timeless Sanskrit verse was invoked, affirming the sacred place of trees in Sanatana Dharma: “Trees purify the air and drive away diseases. Therefore, planting and protecting them is beneficial for all beings.”

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The Jagadguru Shankaracharya personally planted Bilva, Kadamba and Peepal saplings, three trees of profound spiritual and ecological significance in Sanatana Dharma. The Bilva, sacred to Lord Shiva, the Kadamba, beloved of the Devi, and the Peepal (Ashvattha), revered in the Bhagavad Gita as the eternal tree, together symbolise the unity of devotion and environmental duty.

The Mahaswamiji expressed his deep appreciation and conferred his blessings on Joginipally Santosh Kumar for the noble initiative of the Green India Challenge, one of the world’s largest citizen-led movements for afforestation and rewilding.

Quoting from the classical Sanskrit lexicon Amarakosham, he affirmed the primacy of trees in the Vedic worldview. In a touching moment, the Jagadguru observed that the very name “Santosh” itself represents happiness and blessed him, saying that this happiness should spread across the land through the green movement.

The Jagadguru Shankaracharya  assured his continued blessings and support for the Green India Challenge and its mission of afforestation, rewilding and ecological consciousness.