Maha Kumbhabhisheka Day in CA

[Guest guest]

Maha Kumbhabhisheka Day at Hindu Temple Society of Southern California,

Calabasas, CA

 

 

Dear Haribhakthas,

 

The celebration, arranged by Temple authorities as a part of 17th

anniversary was yet another great opportunity for VMS/ SVBM

volunteers to get the best blessings of Lord Venkateshwara and Shri

Panduranga Vittal. His Holiness Shri Shri Puttige Swamiji was the chief

guest for this event. The function was a grand success and left behind

ever green memory in the Hindu community of Southern California.

 

With the blessings of Shri Lord, we, a small team of 7 members (

Sathyanarayana, Padmanabha Padaki, Sheshagiri, Ramachandra Srivatsa,

Gopal, Harish & Sandhya) participated in this special occassion. No

words can do justice to the divine moments we had, but for the benefit

of others madhva bhandus, here is a brief narration of the events.

 

On Friday late evening (May 11th), while whole world was enjoying the

weekend, our ever inspiring leader 'Sathya' pulled out a 7 seater

chariot from 'Hertz' and set to the race on highway 1-5.With Bhajans

and devotional songs, within no time the night slipped away, we saw

the dawn of the next day. We fell at the feet of of Shri Venkateshwara

in the early morning hours on Saturday when Maha Sudharshan Homa and

Shri Laxmi Narashimha Homa was going on under the guidance of Shri

Swamiji. Soon after the Homa, a grand abhishekam to Lord Venkateswara

was carried out in the rich traditional style along with the

Vedaghosha. With the melodious devotional songs, Sheshagiri and Ramu

added additional flavor to the holy occasion. While Shri Venkteshwara

was getting dressed up, Shri swamiji performed pooja to Lord

Panduranga vittal on the other part of the temple, followed by the

important event of the day - a grand feast, thanks to Shrisha Bhat who

has become more than a professional cook in no time. After lunch while

swamiji was busy with other activities, our group had a discussion

about Taratamya, Brahma Kalpa, Shrusti etc.

 

The afternoon session started at 4:30 p.m and this time Shri Swamiji

introduced another charming personality Shri Anjaneya alias Benjamin to

our team. Christianity is now a strange word to this Christian born

satvik soul who has been christened as " Anjaneya " by His Holiness Shri

Swamiji. We had great moments listening to this 'Karmayogi' who visits

the temple twice a day and spends his after office hours in the

service of Lord Venkatesh. ( More details in the next part of the

report).

 

In the evening the temple priests carried out Pooja to Astadravya

Astothara (108) Kalasas (establised on Friday and worshipped for three

days), Rudra Chamaka Parayana, Shri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Parayana, etc.

while Shri Swamiji carried out evening pooja, Tottilu Seva and

" Sangeetha Seva " to Lord Panduranga Vittal. After prasadam, we had a

open discussion with Shri Swamiji about his on going projects and the

future plans. Shri Swamiji mentioned that the Veda pata shala at

Dwaraka has developed cracks on the walls due to the recent killing

earthquake.

 

Sunday, May 13th, started with the Shri Venkatesha Suprabatha and we

had the opportunity to offer Shri Vishnu Sahasra nama parayana and

Bhajans at the feet of Lord Venkateshwara. Later in the morning Shri

Swamiji gave a discourse on " Dwadasha Sthothra " explaining the mahima

of Shri Laxmi and Shri Narayana. Meanwhile temple priests carried out

Kalasa Pooja, Sarva Devatha Gayathri Homa and offered 'Poornahuthi'

to Lord at around 10:30 pm amid Vedic chanting. His Holiness Shri

Swamiji and the team took a leading role in this historical event.

Shri swamiji addressed the gathering in Sanskrit and later on in

English explaining the significance of the celebrations. Shri Swamiji

narrated that 18 is the number of Lord Narayana and in this eighteenth

year of the temple, with this Homa and Abhisheka, Lord Vekateshwara

will be in full sannidhana to bless all the devotees. The grand

procession of Mahakalasa around the temple was quite amazing while

Shri Raghavendra Kondaccha's 'Chande', Prasannacharya's 'Jagate' and

the 'sankeerthana seva' by Sathya, Ramu and Seshagiri, in the

traditional Haridasa costume in the procession became the talk of the

town. I may say that VMS/SVBM stole the show. Next came the most

important event of the year -Aasta dravya Panchamrutha Kalasa Abhisheka

to Lord Venkateshwara, a ever lasting feast to the eyes. Never ever we

had an opportunity to get darshan of Lord Venkateshwara having the holy

bath, in so close proximity. With the blessings of His Holiness, our

team got the special privilege of sitting in the very first row in the

Mukha mantapa. (As a saying goes in Sanskrit, along with the Jasmine

flowers, the undeserving thread also reaches Lord's abode !!! ) We

are really fortunate to have the opportunity to fill our eyes and mind

with the grand scene of Panchamrutha Abhisheka to Lord Venkateshwara.

It was a lifetime event !!!. The synchronized rhythm of Chande,

Jagate and Tala, the 'jugal bhandi' sangeetha seva by Sheshagiri

and Ramu, filled everyone's heart and mind with deep flavor to the

spirituality and intensified devotion.

 

Soon after that we rushed for the seva of of Shri Panduranga

Vittal with sthothra parayana mahamangalarathi etc. and it was a

unique scene for many. Meanwhile Lord Venkateshwara got decorated by

the priests and our Padaki who ran there to see the Lord, had no words

to explain what he saw. All he could say is " Run run and see HIM " . Oh!

I can not explain the beauty of Lord. Shri Venkateshwar was fully

decorated by the best ornaments of gold, diamond, pearl strings and

garlands. We sat at the feet of the Lord and forgot the rest of the

world. It reminded me the song " Istu dina ii vaikunta estu duravo

ennutha liddhe .... " . But my mind could not dwell at Lord's abode for a

long time due to crying call of hungry stomach and we all rushed for

lunch. Shrisha Bhat has prepared special cashew burfi and maradi

payasa to our team and we filled our belly for the rest of the day.

Shri Swamiji himself came down to serve to his beloved devotees and

Padaki got his special favorite 'fried chilly' for his wonderful

service. Swamiji suggested us to visit to Phoenix and with and we were

already started thinking about that. The head Priest Shri Narashimhan

appreciated our team and blessed us to revisit to temple many more

times. The priest community was very much happy with our activities at

Bakersfield as well as here and VMS/SVBM got an open invitation for

all coming function. Each one of the team members had their own unique

impressions and felt very happy for having the weekend totally

dedicated for Lord's seva.

 

There are many more memorable incidents which I can only recollect and

enjoy, but quite hard to pen down. My sincere request with all of you

is that these are all lifetime events and never think of missing them

at any time. You will never repent for pushing your other things aside

for the sake of this kind of trip. We all pray Lord to bless us with

many more such occasions to offer our little seva to Lord.

 

Shri Krishnarpanamastu.

 

 

 

 

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