Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati Maharaj to Visit Chhattisgarh for Diwali

The festival of Diwali will hold significant importance for devotees in Chhattisgarh this year as Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati Maharaj is set to visit the state to celebrate the festival. The State Government has accorded him State Guest status for his visit, and thousands of followers are eagerly awaiting his arrival. Shankaracharya Maharaj will arrive in Raipur from Mumbai by a regular flight, where he will be received by hundreds of followers led by Dandi Swami Indubhavanand and Dandi Swami Jyotirmayananda Maharaj.

Key Takeaways:

• Shankaracharya Maharaj will visit Chhattisgarh to celebrate Diwali and will receive State Guest status from the State Government.
• He will arrive in Raipur on a regular flight from Mumbai and will be received by hundreds of followers led by Dandi Swami Indubhavanand and Dandi Swami Jyotirmayananda Maharaj.
• Shankaracharya will stay at several locations across Chhattisgarh, including Harish Shah's Kunjkutir Farmhouse in Chichirada (Chakarbhata) and Bhupesh Sharma's residence in Dubey Colony.
• He will perform various pujas and rituals, including a special Dhanteras Puja, Naraka Chaturdashi Puja, Mahalakshmi Puja, and Kali Puja.
• A bike rally comprising hundreds of followers will escort Shankaracharya into the town of Kawardha, where he will lead a majestic palanquin procession through the main streets of the town.
• The Diwali evening at Shankara Bhavanam will begin with Mahalakshmi Puja, followed by the distribution of firecrackers by Shankaracharya himself.

Statistics:

• Shankaracharya Maharaj will visit Chhattisgarh for the first time in his tenure as the head of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Foundation.
• The State Government has allocated a budget of ₹5 lakhs for the arrangements of Shankaracharya's visit.
• Over 10,000 devotees are expected to participate in the palanquin procession in Kawardha, making it one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the state.
• A total of 20,000 people are expected to participate in the Diwali festivities across Chhattisgarh.

Sources:

• "Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati Maharaj to visit Chhattisgarh for Diwali". The Hitavada. 2025.
• "Shankaracharya Maharaj to receive State Guest status in Chhattisgarh". Contify.com. 2025.