Second Brahmotsavam at Sri Ranganatha temple, Pomona, NY

[Guest guest]

I am sending this to members of this group. I sent this to Acharya

group and it was published.

 

Dear Madhavakkannan Swamin:

 

SrI:

SrImatE gOpaala dEsika mahaadEsikaaya nama:

 

Second Brahmotsavam at Sri Ranganatha temple, Pomona, NY

 

adiyen had the bhagyam of participating in the second Brahmotsavam of

Sri Ranganatha temple, New York that was held from Aug 2, to Aug 10,

2008. It was a wonderful anubhavam. Adiyen would like to share some

highlights with you all.

 

adiyen read Srimukham from asmad Acharyan on the 9th day evening when

the Brahmotsavam souvenir was released. Srimukhams form Srimad

Azhagiyasingar, Parakala math Swamin, Srimad Periya Andavan, and Sri

Tridandi Jeeyar from Andhra pradesh were read by the respective

sishyas at that time.

 

Our Acharya blessed us praying to Sriman NaaraayaNaa for function to

be conducted " nirvignam " . adiyen feels the Brahmotsavam was conducted

without any major obstacles.

 

Four vaahanas in silver – Kalpaka Vruksha, Sesha, Garuda, and

Hanumantha vaahanams had arrived few days earlier and it was a divine

sight to witness and have darshan of PerumaaL and Piraatti who were

taken around the perimeter of the temple on different days. It was a

sight to see 32 Bhaghavathas all clad in Dhotis(many in pancacacams -

Dhotis were provided by the temple to those who wanted it) , bare

chested with bright naamams and tilakms in their foreheads, carrying

the vaahanams with the shouts of " Govinda!, Govinda! " . 16 were

required to carry the vaahanams and the other 16 accompanied as

relievers/substitutes. There was always competition to carry this and

the substitutes had to force the others to take rest and let them

carry. There was live nathaswaram on all days to add to the

festivities.

 

The dedicated priests who worked tirelessly on all ten days did all

the religious functions including homams, Thirumanjanams, and

ThirthaVari for Shri Sudharshana on the final day. All the priests

were honored on the last day in the traditional way.

Naalaayira Divya Prabhandha paaraayanam was done. There was plenty of

prasadams for devotees throughout the day and evening all free of

cost to the devotees. The madappaLLi(kitchen) was managed well by the

ever-smiling cook who saw to it that the prasadams to PerumaaL were

always ready at the right time and also to all. A few lady volunteers

ably assisted him.

 

All in all, because of the good planning by the Board of trustees and

the cooperation of all and plenty of volunteers to attend to every

aspect of such a grand function spread over ten days, by the Grace of

PerumaaL the Brahmotsavam was a grand success. Adiyen has not

mentioned any name specifically since everyone's enthusiastic work

and participation was important.

 

Pictures are available at www.ranganatha.org

 

Adiyen

Lakshmana dAsan

 

vaachika doshaha kshantavyaha