Ashram Story | Ashram

Bhujangeshwara Rudraksha Mandir - Sthala Puranam

In the early part of 2003 during the construction of the South Florida Hindu Temple (SFHT), installation of a special bāṇaliṅga (बाणलिङ्ग), along with murthis of Parvathi-Parameshwara and other deities was planned. The deities were sculpted in Rajasthan India and shipped to the temple site in time for the 2005 kumbhabishekam (consecration). Acharya Vijayananda Ji along with Kalikambal Kovil Shamba Murthy Shivacharya was part of the team that conducted the 5-day Kumbhabishekam rituals.

On the second day of the rituals, Swamiji discovered that the main deity - a bāṇaliṅga with the huge jaladhari (aavudaiyar or vaanavattam) was kept in the storage room. Upon enquiry with Chairman Sri Piyush Goyalji, Swamiji learnt that this bāṇaliṅga with the base was too big to be installed at the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagṛha) and therefore a smaller version was being consecrated.

After learning of Swamiji’s interest, the SFHT executive committee and the Chairman passed a resolution to present the entire set - Bāṇaliṅgam, Aavudayar, Silver Nagabharanam, Rudrakshamala strung in silver to Adi Shankara Advaita Ashram founded by Swami Vijayananda Saraswati and Swamini Divyananda Saraswati in recognition of their years of selfless service to South Florida Hindu Temple and its devotees.

Upon this sacred granite aavudayar, the shilpi from Rajasthan had sculpted seven snake motifs. Aachary Vijayananda recognized these seven snakes as the seven Kundalini Serpent chakras of the human body and named HIM Bhujangeshwara – “The Lord of the Serpents”.

A few years later the Swamis built at their own cost a beautiful little temple for Bhujangeshwara along with Shiva Parivaram, Vishnu Parivaram and Guru Parivaram – a total of 13 Deities with a shrine for Navagrahas and a gigantic Ganesha at the entrance. The Kumbhabishekam was performed in 2014 and was well attended by all the local Shiva bakthas.

Thus, Bhujangeshwara chose HIS own dwelling place under two huge Rudraksha trees at the Adi Shankara Advaita Ashram bestowing blessings upon all devotees.

Bhujangeshwara not only selected this specific location as HIS abode, but also influenced its surroundings and the type of devotees who would serve. Today, Bhujangeshwara’s abode is under two huge rudraksha trees in a lush certified natural habitat with two vilva trees, two rare maha vilvam trees, a peepal (arasa-maram) tree, a jackfruit tree, mango trees, jamun (naaval-phalam) trees, and many other species of plants and trees.

The story of Adi Shankara Advaita Ashram, the selection of Bhujangeshwara’s abode and the choice HIS custodians, were all pre-scripted and directed and played by HIM till now and will be so in the decades to come.