Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav to Lay Foundation of Grand ‘Panchayatan Temple’ at Ekatm Dham in Omkareshwar
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav will lay the foundation stone of the grand ‘Panchayatan’ Temple at ‘Ekatm Dham’ in the holy city of Omkareshwar on Thursday, August 27. Along with representatives of India’s revered monastic tradition, saints of the Shaddarshan Sant Mandal and distinguished guests, the Chief Minister will worship 45 sacred stones and formally inaugurate the construction.
The sacred Shila Poojan ceremony will be conducted through Vedic rituals by Acharyas of the Sri Venkateshwara Veda Vijnana Peetham, Dharmagiri, Andhra Pradesh, the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Karnataka, and Sri Sri Gurukul.
Panchayatan Worship: A Unique Synthesis of Diverse Traditions of Worship
Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya revived the ‘Panchayatan’ worship tradition to establish harmony among different methods of worship. The grand temple is being constructed at ‘Ekatm Dham’ to preserve and carry forward this transformative contribution of ‘Bhagavatpada’. At the heart of the Sanatan tradition, Panchadeva worship embodies the philosophy of worshipping the one Supreme Brahman through its diverse manifestations.
Lord Shiva to be Enshrined at Centre of ‘Panchayatan’ Temple
Based on the ancient Panchayatan architectural tradition, the main shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva will occupy the centre of the temple, with four subsidiary shrines at the four corners. Lord Vishnu will be enshrined in the northeast, Lord Surya in the southeast, Lord Ganesha in the southwest and Bhagwati Shakti in the northwest.
The Panchayatan Temple will not only serve as a centre of religious faith but will also showcase the revival of India’s ancient architectural and sculptural traditions. The temple is being constructed in the traditional Nagara style, making it a living symbol of India’s architectural heritage and cultural grandeur.
Philosophy of ‘Panchayatan’ Worship
According to the Indian knowledge tradition, the Divine is the creator of the universe and manifests as the entire animate and inanimate creation.
Adi Shankaracharya re-established the Panchayatan tradition to promote harmony among the Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta, Saura and Ganapatya traditions. The philosophy teaches that every deity represents a different manifestation of the same infinite Supreme Reality. Just as gold remains the essential substance of ornaments made from it, the five deities are understood as different manifest forms of the same formless Brahman.