SRI RANGA SAMPROKSHANAM

[Guest guest]

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya/

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya//

KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha VardhathAm//

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Dear Bhagavatas:

We had a splendid and magnificent occasion last weekend, when Lord

Ranganatha finally took his abode of Bhooloka Vaikuntam and rested on His

Sesha sayanam at Pomona, New York.

 

It was perhaps, His Sankalpam to wait to make it the “millennium event” in

the 21st century that he enjoyed the fun (His leela) testing us with

struggles but He also gave strength and patience to ardent devotees like Dr.

Venkat Kanumalla and his trusted band of Trustees for over a decade.

 

I am proud to mention that Sri Ranganathan Kuppuswami cited in the plaque as

the pioneer and motivating force in the construction of the temple is my own

nephew (own sister’s son).

 

Almost anybody who is a somebody in the Srivaishnava community in the U.S.A

and Canada (may be from elsewhere also) could be spotted with their families

and friends taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime event. In fact, I could

meet many of the members of “Saranagathi” and “Sri Ranga Sri” whom I had

not seen face to face before. In my guesstimate, there were around 800

devotees (including floating and ever-mobile attendees) who thronged the two

halls, one housing the Sannidhis and the other housing the auditorium.

 

Vedic chants, Parayanam (both in Sanskrit and Tamil Divya and Desika

Prabandams), Bhakti laden devotional songs of Sevarthis, and sweet music

from Nadhaswaram all filled the air reverberating a religious fervor

reminiscent of how it would be at the original SriVaikuntam itself!

 

The religious ceremonies connected with the Samprokshanam were performed

with meticulous care and attention to every detail strictly according to

Agama prescriptions by a band of dedicated and renowned Bhattacharyas who

came all the way from India for this purpose.

 

It was a sight for Gods to see when the holy waters were ceremonially poured

atop the Pranavakara and other Vimanams and sprinkled on the milling crowd

waiting on the ground level to receive the same. A feeling of fulfillment

and satisfaction could be discerned on every face.

 

The majestic and magnetic charm of Periya Perumal surrounded by Azhwars and

Acharyas, Thayaras (Sri Mahalakshmi and Andal at the rear), Sri Lakshmi

Narasimhan and Sri Srinivasaperumal (facing each other) the Rama Parivar

facing Sri Venugopala Swami (also facing each other) and last but not least

the imposing figure of Garudazhwar (facing Periyaperumal) captivated

everyone’s heart so much that people who were bidding goodbye to one another

were seen still lingering for hours on end unable to tear themselves away

from them!

 

It looked as if it was a dream fulfilled not only for us but also to the

Lord Himself and the great Acharya (44th Pattam Azhagiyasinghar) who desired

the construction of the temple. This temple is one different, unique in the

sense that it is totally devoid of any “Devatantara Sambandam”.

 

It is bound to become the focal point of all Srivaishnavas (and indeed, of

others Mumukshus (i.e., those who desire Moksham) on this side of the globe.

This is a Divyadesam in its own right, equal to Sri Rangam itself and is

poised to make it obligatory for every Srivaishnava not to miss a visit and

be blessed with “Punar Darsana Praapti” again, again and again!

 

The construction and Samprokshanam are only the beginning. Lots and lots of

other works remain to be done. The temple needs to be maintained in its

present pristine shape of spick and span. All these would need lot of funds.

Those who have witnessed will vouch for it’s being “OUR OWN TEMPLE” and

would no doubt donate liberally towards these. But, they have an additional

duty to spread the word among others and encourage them to visit, see for

themselves, convince themselves and extend their generous support.

 

I congratulate the Board of trustees (which includes my other nephew Sri

Raghunathan Kuppuswami), the other newly elected committee members (which

includes my mentor, Sri Sadagopan Swamin) and indeed all the volunteers in

the past and present for their monumental work.

 

Let us take a big stride towards our goal of salvation through “Saranagathi”

at their feet. It is not enough if we do Prapatti but it is absolutely

necessary that thereafter every moment of our life we should lead the life

of Prapannas truly, not merely in formality but also in substance.

 

May the blessings of “Sri Ranga Sri” Divya Dhampatis be always with all of

us.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

Editor & Publisher

“Sri Ranga Sri”

 

 

 

 

 

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