Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Shenbakkam – Nava Brindavanams
The Nava
Brindavanam Complex, housing the Moola Brindavanams of eight saints who
propagated the Dwaita philosophy propounded by Sri Madhwacharya, and the
Mrithika Brindavanam of Sri Guru Raghavendra at Madhwa Vijayanagaram, in
Shenbakkam village panchayat near Vellore is sacred for the Dwaitis (followers
of the Dwaita philosophy). Mrithika means soil and the Mrithika Brindavanam of
Sri Guru Raghavendra was built on the soil brought from the Moola Brindavanam
of the saint in Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh.
Brindavanams of Sri Sripathi Theertha and Sri Kambaal
Ramachandra Theertha of the Vyasaraja Matha can be found at the entrance. The Brindavanams built for
Sripathi Theertha, and his direct disciple, Sri Kambalur Ramachandra Theertha
are seen facing each other in the Nava Brindavanam complex. Brindavanams of Sri Vidyapathi Theertha and Sri Sathyathiraja Theertha of
Uththaradhi Matt can be found adjacent to each other on the first floor. There are smaller Brindavanams of Sri Kesava Udayaru, Sri
Govinda Madhava Udayaru, Sri Bhoovaraaga Udayaru, and Sri Raghunatha Udayaru in an underground chamber below their brindavanams.
An early
1990s Mrithika brindavan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, makes it a Dhakshina
Navabrindavana. The Shenbakkam Nava Brindavanams is fortunate to get the foot
prints of various holy Madhava Saints. Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya said to be
here for some time. Sri Vyasa Tirtha did his installation of Sri Hanumantha
here. Kalyyuga Kalpatharu/Kamadenu Mantralaya mahaprabhu Sri Raghavendra
Swamiji stayed in this place for 14 days.
The
place derives its holiness from the presence of the Moola Brindavanam of Sri
Kambalur Ramachandra Theertha since Sri Raghavendra is believed to have
acquired a high level of scholarship in the Dwaita philosophy only on reading
Theertha's Grantha.
