My family has known Mahalinga Ganapadigal for decades, and I was delighted when Mami came by with her daughter to personally invite us to his Sadabhishekam celebration. In an era dominated by WhatsApp messages and e-invites, personally inviting guests to partake in celebrations is a rare and precious tradition. It is a beautiful throwback to a bygone era of genteel custom, reflecting both class and deep respect for age-old traditions.
Ganapadigal, a vedic scholar and priest, has been a spiritual confidant to my father for many years. He officiated the upanayanam ceremonies for my brother and me nearly three decades ago, and he did the same for my son just a year ago – a true full circle in life.
The invitation card mentioned that the event would be held at Havyaka Bhavana in Malleshwaram, a spacious and pleasant hall in the heart of the city. I anticipated a sizable crowd, but Suja, my wife, and I were truly blown away to see over a thousand people grace the occasion.
The Sahasrachandra Darsana Shanti, which signifies that Ganapadigal has witnessed 1,000 full moons, was truly a celebration of his life. The hundreds of well-wishers present were a testament to how deeply he has touched so many lives. The ceremony was deeply traditional, featuring a dozen Brahmins chanting Vedic hymns accompanied by various homas (fire rituals) such as Ayusha Homa, Mrityunjaya Homa, and Navagraha Homa, all invoking blessings for health and longevity.
Ganapadigal and Mami have been long-standing fixtures at the Shankar Mutt in Malleshwaram, officiating at functions, celebrations, and events. A stickler for punctuality, Ganapadigal expected no mistakes from his associates and was unfailingly punctual, come rain, shine, or Bangalore’s notorious traffic. With Mami by his side, he has been present for nearly all events held at the Mutt complex.
Despite the hectic schedule devoted to the Mutt and rituals, Ganapadigal and Mami still found time to build a home in Vidyaranyapura and raise six children. Their five daughters are well-educated and married into respectable families across the country, including one settled abroad with her husband. Their son is an executive at a pharmaceutical company and is settled in Bengaluru.
Ganapadigal’s energy and inner strength are most visible during the monthly rituals on Ammavasya, Ekadashi, and Pradosham, when dozens of Brahmins join the ceremonies. And did I mention the annual thread-changing ceremony, Yajurveda Upakarma? He hosts 6-8 batches of ceremonies for hundreds of Brahmins, starting at 5:30 in the morning and continuing through the "Homam batch" at noon.
