Kanchipuram: RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat visited the Kanchi Acharyas at Orikkai on Wednesday and participated in a series of religious and social programmes organised by the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

Bhagwat had darshan of the abhishekam performed for Sri Chandramouleeshwara Swamy by Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He later joined Vedic scholars in chanting, japa and special prayers held for the welfare of society, the nation and the world.

Special worship was also offered to the divine padukas of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, accompanied by the recitation of the Totakashtakam. Bhagwat was honoured with ceremonial headgear and presented prasadam from the Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam. The rituals were accompanied by Vedic chanting led by senior scholars, including Maha Mahopadhyaya Sri Krishnamurthy Sastrigal.

The programme also highlighted traditional family and dharmic values. As part of a Dampati Puja, 60 elderly couples were honoured by an octogenarian couple who had completed 60 years of marriage.

Bhagwat witnessed the purnahuti of the Shrauta ritual Sangrahaniyeshti, conducted with prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of people across the world.

During the visit, Bhagwat also reviewed various initiatives of the Kanchi Math in Vidya, Veda and Vaidya, including schools, Veda Patashalas, traditional crafts and sculpture training centres, and institutions providing cultural education to girls.

He attended the certificate distribution ceremony for the first batch of students who completed a Charity Management course conducted with the blessings of the Kanchi Shankaracharya.

Bhagwat later visited a century-old house in Orikkai where RSS founder figure and former Sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar had darshan of the Kanchi Mahaswami in 1955. The family presented Bhagwat with a memento commemorating the historic visit.

The same house also has a connection with the Kanchi Peetham, as the Kanchi Acharya Triveni is stated to have performed Chaturmasyam there in 1988.