SEA OF HUMANITY TURNS OUT IN VIZAG FOR SRINIVASA KALYANAM VIZAG, JULY 27: All routes in the huge city of Visakhapattanam led to “Swarna Bharathi” auditorium on Sunday as a sea of humanity turned out to witness the celestial wedding of Lord Venkateswara as a part of the week-long spiritual programme of Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavotsavams mulled by TTD. Usually Kalyanotsavam is performed as an Arjitha Seva (paid seva) in the hill shrine of Tirumala every day which is restricted to limited number of pilgrims. TTD has set up Kalyanotsavam Project exclusively to organise Srinivasa Kalyanams, which came as a boon for the pilgrims who could not make it to Tirumala or witness the celestial marriage of the deities. Now, with an aim to propagate the Hindu Sanatana Dharma and enable a common man to have the wisdom of various sevas that are being performed in temple of Lord Venakteswara, TTD has mulled a unique week-long programme of “Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavotsavams” and flagged off this programme from the sea city of Vizag. On Sunday evening, the massive Swana Bharati auditorium appeared as if it was flooded by another sea of “Devotees” who thronged to witness Lord’s celestial wedding with His consorts. This religious event took place between 6pm to 8pm amidst vedic chanting and rendering of Annamacharya Sankeertans. TTD EO Sri MG Gopal on Sunday advocated that the week long spiritual programme of venkateswara vaibhavotsavams have not only provided a rare opportunity to the denizens of Vizag to witness the grandeur of Lord in different arjitha sevas but also enhanced the reputation of the famous city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The EO recalled that when he was Vizag collector he was fortunate to organise Visakha Dinotsavalu. “Again almost after two decades I fortunate to associate myself with this city with this spiritual event which is more special and unique”, he added. TTD EO complimented his team of officials and local adminsitration for making elaborate arrangements towards the success of this event in a big way. Later renowned scholar Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara narrated the importance of marraige and celestial marriage of Lord to the devotees. SIGNIFICANCE OF KALYANOTSAVAM: This ritual is usually performed seeking the well being of the entire humanity. However in Vaikhanasa Agama, which is in practice in Tirumala to carryout temple rituals, Kalyanotsavam is popularly known as “Vaivahika Mahotsavam”. So the couples especially the newly wed, who wish to have a blissful marital life with the blessings of Lord Venkateswara do participate in Kalyanotsavam in big numbers. PROCEDURE: Earlier this ritual was performed in Abhijit Lagnam (a lagnam which is considered to auspicious to every individual irrespective of their birth star, almanac etc.) The ritual started with Devataradhana and Sabha Vandanam. The ritual performing priests sits in Kurmasana facing East to the deities. The celestial marriage of the deities was performed as per the traditional Hindu Marriage system in the following procedure. Punahavachanam: This is a sanctifying ritual conducted to cleanse all the articles, premises before the commencement of celestial marriage. Vishwaksena Aradhana: After Punahavachanam follows Vishwaksena Aradhana. Lord Vishwaksena happens to be Commander-in-Chief of Lord Venkateswara who supervises the ritual. The purified water in the kalasam is sprinkled on all the articles in Homakundam and Mantapam. Ankurarpana: Next followed Ankurarpana which signifies a healthy beginning before any ritual. The Asta Dikpalakas are invoked and worshiped in this ritual. Pratisara Bandhana: This is yet another main part of the celestial wedding where in the sacred Kankanams (holy threads) are tied to the right hand of the Lord and left hand of His Consorts while the ritual performing priests tie it to their right hands only. Swasti Sooktam is recited. Agni Pratishta: Then follows Agni Pratista where in the pious agni is lit and Prayaschitta homam is performed. Vastra Samarpana: After the Agni Pratistha new set of silk vastrams were offered to deities. (The Lord and Goddesses will be seated separately on two different Asans as they are yet to tie the holy wedding knot) Maha Sankalpam: Then the important phase of the ritual, Maha Sankalpam is performed where in the descendent of Tallapaka family (the family which dedicated their lives in the service of Lord Venkateswara since last 600 years) performed Kanyadanam on behalf of Goddesses. Kanyadanam: In any Hindu Marriage, Kanyadanam occupies a prominent place. Here the Gotra Pravaras of Lord and His Consorts were recited by the priests Bharadwaja Gotram – Lord Venakteswara Bhargava Gotram – Goddess Sri Devi Kasyapa Gotram - Goddess Bhu Devi Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam: The Divine Wedding Ceremony comes to a grand end with, Mangalya Dharana where the Lord Venkateswara tied the Holy Mangala Sutrams to His beloved Consorts. Varana Mayiram: This is a prominent and most entertaining phase usually performed during South Indian Hindu Weddings. The Lord and His Consorts played with floral balls and coconuts facing each other. (Here the priests and Tallapaka descendent perform this ritual on behalf of the deities). After this the garlands of deities are also exchanged. Aarti: After the conclusion of the pleasant “Love Game”, the Consorts are seated on either sides of Lord, with Sridevi taking the Right side and Bhudevi occupying the left place of Maha Simhasanam. Now Karpoora Aarati, Nakshatra Aarati and Maha Aarti were rendered marking the grand ending of the Celestial Wedding Ceremony of Lord Malayappa Swamy with His two Consorts-Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The premises of Swarna Bharathi Auditorium reverberated with vedic chants, Govinda Namas on Sunday evening on this auspicious occasion. TTD EO Sri MG Gopal, Renowned Scholar Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao, HDPP Special Officer Sri S Raghunath, Kalyanotsavam Project Special officer Sri Ramachandra Reddy, Annaprasadam Deputy EO Sri Venugopal, EE Sri Srihari, Deputy EE Sri Surender Reddy and others were also present.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 17:20:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015