Question about Pavithra Utsavam..

[Guest guest]

Dear SriVaishnavas:

 

Pranams! I dont know exactly the significance, and the way in

which Pavithram Utsavam in conducted periodically in

SriVaishnava temples. Can any one describe about it?

 

Thanks for your valuable time,

 

 

Sri Ramanuja Dasan,

Ramanan Rajagopalan

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Ramanan

 

Pavithrothsavam is celebrated in all temples for the purpose of

rectifying any omissions on the aagama injunction in the matter of

festival and pujas during the entire year. The ustsavam is celebrated

to redeem from the failure to follow the prescribed rules. This is

generally celebrated once every year, but not restricted to such a

schedule. The Annual function is usually elaborate last for 6days or

so. Some temples may do a shorter one in between the annual ones.

 

This utsavam is celebrated during the month of avani. At Srirangam it

is celebrated for 9 days, at Tirumala it is done in 4 days starting

on

SravanSuddha Dasami. It was only 550 years ago (1463), this function

was started at Tirumala.

 

Srirangam Pavithrothsavam:

 

The utsva commences on the ekadasi day inthe bright (first) half of

the month of Avani. The God (utsavar) is taken to the Yagasala

and is kept on a bed of multicolor flowers and the worship starts.

Tirumanjanam and Naiveydyam is performed for the utsavar.

 

In the meantime pavitras are made for each part of the deity like

hands, feet, neck etc. These are cotton thread bundles of different

sizes tied together in the form of knots resembling beeds. Then Vedic

hymns are recited to instill life into them.

 

After this, the longest pavitra called vanamaala pavitra is taken out

to the Moolavar. The Utsavar is then taken to the Sanctum from the

Yagasala.

 

On the second day (dvadasi) aradhana is done 360 times to each of

the

seven deities in the sanctum (Periya perumal, Azakiya manavalan, his

two consorts Sri and Bhu, and the four murtis for Snaanam, Sayanam,

Bali and Teertham). The pavitras from the yagasala are now removed

and

are placed on various parts of the deities (including moolavar)

inside

the Sanctum. The devotees are allowed to get the dharshan with the

pavithram throughout the day. This goes on for next 4 days

 

On the 7th day, the Utsvar with ubhayanaacimaar (two goddesses) are

taken out in procession to thirkkottaaram or the granary and the

Dhanyaamaanam ceremony takes place. This is used to measure the stock

available to the temple.

 

On the 9th day, theerthavaari is done in the evening. The

Snaanamurthi

is taken out to the mandapam on the banks of Chandra pushkarani and

tirumanjanam is done. The arcaka takes the image in his hand and dips

it in water. The image is then taken to the Sanctum. This concludes

the Festival.

 

For more information on this and other Utsavas, please refer to

"Impact of Sri Ramanuja on Temple Worship" by Smt Sarojini

Jagannathan, published by NAG Publishers, New Delhi.

 

 

Adiyen,