[Fwd: Pavitrotsavam Invitation:]

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

 

You are all invited to attend the Pavitrotsavam from 9-14-2005 to

9-17-2005 and be blessed by the Divya-Dampatis. Please visit Temple

Website at www.ranganatha.org <http://www.ranganatha.org/> for a

detailed Invitation.

Thanks to Dr.Sadagopan for permitting me to edit and use his article on

Pavitrotsavam to suit our Temple's special needs ( which is pasted below

for your kind information ).

Srimat Azhagiyasingar Thiruvadigale Saranam.

adiyen,

Venkat Kanumalla; Ph.D; D.A.B.R;

of Sri Ranganatha Temple, Pomona, NY.

 

vaidhika anushThAnams

 

|| PavitrOtsavam ||

 

*

------

*

 

* **Annual Pavitrotsavams are purificatory rituals recommended by

Aagamas to expiate the commissions and the omissions associated with

daily worship (Aaraadhanam) of the Lord at His consecrated temples.

Lapses in the performance of the Aaraadhanam are recognized and a

detailed ceremony consisting of homam in front of the Utsava Moorty at a

specailly constructed yaaga saala. The decoration of all the Moortys of

the temple with specially prepared necklaces made of dyed cotton thread

is carried out and the day concludes with a pornahoothi. This is an

elaborate utsavam , which can be conducted from 3-10 days depending on

the temple tradition. The time for the performance of the Pavitrotsavam

is different from temple to temple. At Thirumala , it is scheduled in

August; at Thiruvazhunthur dhivya desam, it is performed in the Tamil

month of Iyppasi (October-November). At the Pomona Sri Ranganathar

temple, the plans are to celebrate it during September-2005 for 4 days.

Special pavitra maalais have been brought over from Srirangam and will

be used for decoration of all the deities in the eight sannidhis. ***

 

*Before we discuss the annual Pavitrotsam , it is relevant to point out

that another purificatory ceremony performed inside the sanctum

sanctorium (garbha graham) known as " Koil Azhwaar Tirumanjanam " (KAT) is

quite different from the annual pavitrotsavam. The KAT is performed four

times an year at the sanctum sanctorium of Tirumala Srinivasa's temple.

Pavitrotsavam is performed only once a year in all temples . On the day

of KAT at Thirumala , the Uthsava moorhtys and the akhanda dheepam are

removed from the sanctum sanctorium and placed in the ante-chamber . The

sanctum is cleaned thoroughly and a paste consisting of Kumkumam

(vermillion), Camphor and other special ingredients are applied to the

inner walls . After a short period of time , this paste is wiped clean

and a light abhishEkam is performed for the Moolavar and Bhoga

Srinivasa. Naivedhyam is offered and distributed. This is a physical

cleaning act . ***

 

*Pavitrotsavam is a well prescribed ritual , where the archaka prays for

forgiveness for all lapses--conscious or otherwise-- in the daily

worship of the Lord . ***

 

*On the evening before Pavitrotsavam, a prayer to the Lord (Bhagavath

prArthana) is offered ;this is followed by (1) Acharya-Yajamaana

sankalpam ( vow to perform the Pavitrotsavam), (2) Vaasudeva

PunyahavAchanam( cleansing act before any ritual at the temple with

appropriate veda mantras and sprinkling of the areas of utsavam with

consecrated water ), (3) Mrudh sangrahaNam ( Collection of earth ), (4)

ankurAarpaNam ( germination of seeds in special vessels in the earth

housed in special vessels ) and (5) VAstu ShAnti ( prayers to VAstu

Purusha of the temple for auspiciousness) ***

 

*On the morning of the second day, a ritual known as theertha

sangrahaNam is performed and is followed by Acharya-Bhagavan raksha

bandham (tying of raksha on the wrists of the Lord and AcharyAs) . The

special priests versed in aagama rituals enter the yaaga saala (

pravesam ) and the dwAra pooja is performed. Next Kumbha, Mandala, Bimba

poojaas are conducted. Consecration of the Agni for the homams (agni

pratishtha) follows. All the specially constructed pavitra maalas are

consecrated and adorn all the Utsava and Moola-berams. PradhAna homam

and PoorNaahuti followed by laghu Saatrumurai concludes the morning's

ceremonies. ***

 

*On the evening of the second day , Yaaga Saala pravesam, Dwaara Pooja

are perfomed first and is followed by Chatu:-sthaana archana ,

Kumbha-Mandala-Bimba & Agni poojaas . Nitya homam and Poornaahuti

conclude the day's rituals. ***

 

*On the morning and the evening of the third day, the sequence of

procedures of the second day is followed. The special events for the

third day evening are: the abhishekam (Tirumanjanam) for the Lord with

81 kalasams as at Srirangam. A very special homam with deep ritualistic

significance known as " Shodasa Tatva Nyaasa Homam " is performed .

ShAnti homam and Saatrumurai are the final rituals for the third day. ***

 

*On the morning of the fourth day , the ceremonies of PavitrOtsavam come

to a conclusion in the following sequence: Yaaga saala pravesam , dwaara

pooja, chatu:- sthAnArchana, nitya homam , Mahaa PoornAhuti, MahA dwAra

devata yathA- sthAnam, Kumbha yathA sthAnam , Kumbha yAtrA dAnam . The

consecrated waters from the three day long ceremonies are sprinkled over

all corners of the temple. A big Saatrumurai and Mangala Aarati are then

performed. The Pavitra mAlas are removed and distributed to devotees ,

who took part in the goshthi and prasAdam is offered to the Lord and

distributed to all . ***

 

*The PavitrOtsavam is concluded this way and the path is laid out for

another year of worship at the temple to recieve the blessings of the

Dhivya Dampatis. ***

 

*_The Kinds of Utsavams at the VishNu Aalayams (Temples) :_*

 

* *

 

*In the consecrated temples of the Lord SrIman NArAyaNa , there are

three kinds of Utsavams: NityOtsavam , NaimittikOtsavam and KAmyOtsavam. *

 

* *

 

*_ _*

 

*_ _*

 

*_NityOtsavam : _*

 

* *

 

*Every month there are Pancha Parva Utsavams that are recognized as

NityOtsavams. These five NityOtsavams during each month are:

(1)PerumAl's Tirunakshatram (Revati for SrI RanganAtha , SwAti for Lord

Sri Lakshmi-Nrusimha, Punarvasu for Lord Sri Rama, Rohini for Lord Sri

Krishna, SravaNam for Lord Sri SrinivAsa, Uttara-Phalguni for Sri

Maha-Lakshmi and Poorva-Phalguni for Sri Andal ) , (2, 3) Two EkAdasis (

Sukla and KrishNa Paksha EkAdasis) , (4) First day of the Tamil Month (

Maasa PiRappu) , (5) AmAvasya ( New Moon Day). *

 

* *

 

*_NaimittikOtsavam: _*

 

* *

 

*This is a samprOkshaNa (Consecration ) Utsavam , when any one of these

misfortunes happen:*

 

*(1) **The dhurbhiksham ( inauspiciousness) caused to the community by

Asubha graham combinations,*

 

*(2) **Gati BhEdhams of the Moon and the Sun,*

 

*(3) **the falling down of Gopuram , MaNtapams and temple structures,*

 

*(4) **Epidemics and horrible diseases ( The Visha Jwaram at

Thirupputtkuzhi Dhivya Desam during Swamy Desikan's Times) , *

 

*(5) **the fracture of the consecrated images ( ThiruveLLUr Moolavar's

hand , which was corrected by one of the Azhagiya Singars, The shift in

Peetam of ANDAL Utsava Vigraham at SrI PerumbhUthUr et al) and *

 

*(6) Failure of rains in the land. These are the NaimittikOthsavams. *

 

* *

 

*_KAmyOtsavam:_*

 

*_ _***

 

*This Utsavam is to seek any one of the Four PurushArThams (Dharma ,

Artha , Kaama and Moksham) from the Lord thru prayers and observance of

dedicated festivals ( Golden RaTha Utsavam at Oppiliappan Sannidhi). *

 

* *

 

*_PavitrOtsavam: _***

 

*This is a specail annual Utsavam for the purposes of the banishment of

all blemishes , lapses in the Year's aarAdhanams by ArchakAs and to

restore SAnidhyam for the Lord . This is hence a Sarva DhOsha NivAraNa

utsavam. ***

 

*It is carried out during the time period between SrAvaNa month and

KArthika month and is for the preethi of VishNu and for chEtana's

Moksham . Sukla Paksham in these months are preferred for the observance

of this Sarva dhOsha NivAraNa Utsavam . Prathama , Thrutheeya, Panchami

, Dasami, EkAdasi, DhvAdasi , ThrayOdasi , PourNami thithis are to be

selected for the start of this Utsavam. At Sri Ranganatha Temple, it

usually starts on Shukla Ekadasi day and concludes on Poornima day.*

 

* ***

 

*Regarding Nakshatrams , Asvani, RohiNi, Mrughaseersham , Punarvasu,

Pushyami , ChithrA , SravaNa , Revathi nakshatrams are preferred. From

Sukla Paksha Prathami to PourNami , the performance of Pavitrotsavam on

any one of the Nakshatrams are recommended . It is Uttamam (most

auspicious) to initiate this utsavam on such days. *

 

* *

 

*This Pavitrotsavam can have a duration of 4 or 7 or 9 days . At minimum

, it must be performed for 4 days .On the day of completion of this

Utsavam, TeerthavAri ( like avabhrutha SnAnam at the end of conclusion

of a Yaj~nam) in the temple tank or the river is to be done. *

 

* *

 

*_Why the word Pavitram is linked to this Utsavam? _*

 

* *

 

*Pavitram means Suddham and auspiciousness . Silk threads are used to

create the necklaces for the Lord. There are 5 different colored threads

.. In the middle of the threads , there are knots (granthis) . Prathishta

(Consecration) is done to these colored silk necklaces (garlands) thru

invocation of the power of the divya aabharaNams and Jewelery of the

Lord ( SrI Vastram /PeetAmbaram , Kireetam/Crown , Kousthubham , Vana

Maala , Sudarsanam et al). PrANa pratishtha is next performed to make

them fit for the Lord to wear these Pavitra Maalas. As an integral part

of the Pavitrotsavam , the traditional observances such as - Bhagavat

PrArThana, Sankalpam , PuNyAhavAchanam , Mrudh-SangarahaNam , Vaastu

ShAnti karmAs should be done. The special Yaaga Saalai should be

constructed . DhvAra PoojA is performed for the Yaaga SaalA and PerumAL

should be requested to take His place in the Yaaga SaalA through

Chatu:-SthAnArchanam for performing worship during the Utsavam days. *

 

* *

 

*_The chatu:-SthAanArchanam: _*

 

*_ _***

 

*Kumbham, MaNDalam , Bimbam and Agni are the four SthAnams (Focus sites)

for the archana (worship) of the Lord . *

 

* *

 

*_Kumbham: _*

 

*_ _***

 

*In the YaagasAla Vedhika , nine Kumbhams ( Copper / Silver Kalasams

adorned with threads) are established to invoke VaasudEva , SankarshNa ,

Pradhyumna , Aniruddha , Purusha , Sathya , Anantha , Achyutha and

Sudarsana for AarAdhanam. In the Kumbham , sacred waters from Ganga,

Cauvery et al are requested to be present and these teertha Svaroopa

DevatAs are invoked for dhana dhAnya abhivrutthi. *

 

* *

 

*_MaNdalam: _*

 

* *

 

*MaNdalam is BhagavAn's Chakra Aayudham that is drawn as Yantram

(Bimbam) and Lord Sudarsana is invoked there . ( In the MaNdalam ,

Sudarsana MahA Purusha has Sudarsana JwAla, Nemi , Aram , Naabhi and

aksham ). There are also six adhvAs in the MaNdalam (Shadadhva NyAsam) :

(1) TathvAdhvA (JeevAdhi Tattvams), (2)BhuvanAdhvA ( the 14 universes –

Atala, Vitala, sutala, TalAtala, RasAtala, MahAtala, PatAla, Bhu,

Bhuvar, Suvar, Mahar, Jana, Tapah, and Brahma or Satya ), (3) VarNAdhvA

(BheejAkAksharams of Mantrams) ,(4) KalAdhvA (64 Kalas) , (5) MantrAdhvA

( Moola Mantram , Moorty Mantram , Phala mantram , Nrusimha Mantram) and

(6) PadhAdhvA ( KesavAdhi upavyUha Moortys ) . ***

 

*In the petals and also in the angles (kONams like AgnEyam ), SrIvatsam,

Sankham, ChandAdhi DevAs (dwAra PAkakAs ) , VishvaksEna , VynatEya

(Garuda) are to be invoked and worshipped. *

 

* *

 

*This MaNDala AarAdhana rules (Vithi) are found especially in

PAncharAtra Aagamam. When Sudarsana is invoked in MaNDalam directly , He

removes all fears (Bheethi) and confers auspiciousness. He burns away

all blemishes. MandalArAdhanam is done to grace the BhaktAs and make

dhushtAs powerless. *

 

* *

 

*_BimbArAdhanam:_*

 

* *

 

*PerumAl is brought to Yaaga SaalA and invoked for worship there. The

misfortunes in the land and that of the rulers are removed through this

Chathu:-sThAna AarAdhanam.*

 

* ***

 

*_Agni AarAdhanam:_*

 

*_ _***

 

*The YAgAgni Kundams are constructed in the Yaaga Saala as instructed by

the Aagmams. BhagavAn is invoked there in the middle of Agni in the

Kundam. Homam is performed with PradhAna Mantrams. For consecration of

the Agni used in the Yaaga Saala , GarbhAdhAna and Jaathakarma

ceremonies have to be done for the Agni , In AagamAs , Agni Pratishtha

is classified under three Cctegories: BaalAgni, VruddhAgni and

YouvanAgni. For SamprOkshaNam , Dheekshai and other ShAnti KarmAs ,

BaalAgni is used. For Utsavams such as Pavitrotsavam , BrahmOtsavam,

etc.., VruddhAgni is to be used. BaalAgni is created by rubbing a

special kind of wood (araNi-sticks) against a holder and Agni is churned

out (maThanam). VruddhAgni is the Agni present with AgnihOtris or it is

brought from the Madapalli (Kitchen of the Lord). *

 

* *

 

*Agni has seven tongues (Sapta JihvA) : KaaLI, KarALI, SumanA , lOhita,

DhUmrA , Sphulingini and Visvaroopa. Each of them have a specific

location in the Agni Kundam . KaaLI is in the middle , KarALi is in

Poorva dhik and the others are in the AagnEya dhik, VaaruNa dhik, West ,

North , Vaayu dhik , and North East (IsAnyam) . For dhOsha Nivrutthi ,

Only offerings through Agni or water has to be made to other DevathAs

that ultimately reaches their antaryAmi , SrIman NArAyaNa. VedAs declare

that the Lord is in the form of Agni ( Yaj~nO vai VishNu:). Even the

Yaj~nam is VishNu Mayam. *

 

* *

 

*In Yaj~na Kundam , PerumAL is invoked and homam is performed with Moola

Mantram, PanchOpanishad Mantrams , Pancha VaaruNika mantrams . At the

end PoorNahUti is done for the day. These homas are done twice, thrice ,

five times or 7 times during the day and on the last day ShOdasa Tattva

NyAsa Homa and ShAnti hOma are performed to conclude the PavitrOtsavam. *

 

* *

 

*_ShOdasa Tattva NyAsa Homam: _***

 

*The first Tattva Homam involves PrANAdhi Dasa Vaayu NyAsam , PrANa

PratishtA Homa , Moola Mantra Homa , Aayudha NyAsa Homa and BhUshaNa

NyAsa Homa (all the Aayudhas and AabharaNas represent different MahA

Tattvams). ***

 

*The 16 (ShOdasa) NyAsas are : ***

 

*1) **PraNava NyAsam, (2) VyAhruti NyAsam, (3) Akshara NyAsam, 4)

Nakshatra NyAsam, (5) Gruha NyAsam, (6) Kaala NyAsam, (7) BrAhmaNAdi

VarNa NyAsam, (8) ThOya NyAsam, (9) Nigama NyAsam, (10) DevatA NyAsam,

(11) VairAjan NyAsam, (12) Krathu NyAsam, (13) GuNa NyAsam, (14) Moorty

NyAsam, (15) Sakthi NyAsam and (16) Shad GuNa NyAsam. *

 

* *

 

*Each of these homams are done and the residue (samphAdyam ) from the

Agni Kundam is collected and applied to the Lord's limbs from the sacred

feet upto Siras (head). *

 

* *

 

*_ShAnti Homam:_*

 

*_ _***

 

*Chathur VyAhruti Mantra ( BhU SvAhA , Bhuva: SvahA, Suva: svAhA, &

BhUrbuhva:suva: SvAhA ) homam are performed 108 times with honey , milk

, Curd and ghee .The SampAdyam from this ShAnti Homam is applied from

the sacred feet, Stomach, Face and the Siras of the Lord. Thereafter,

Jaggery, Honey , Ghee are used to the accompaniment of VishNU Gaayatri

(108 times) and oblations are offered; at the end the SampAdyam from

this Homam is applied to all the limbs of the Lord. *

 

* *

 

*PoorNAhUti follows PrAyaschitta Homam, which is done with

PanchOpanishad mantrams. The Sakthi from the Kundam is transferred to

the Kumbham and the Kundam is returned to yathA sThAnam . DhvAra

Devathas are sent back to their homes (yathA sTAnam) with reverential

prayers. Then, the Sakti in the ManDalam is transferred to Kumbham . It

is followed by Kumbha YaatrA dAnam and the Kumbham is taken in

procession to Moolavar sannidhi with all upachArams. Kumbha Sakthi is

now transferred to Moolavar (Dhruva bEram) . All saanidhis are sprinkled

(prOkshaNam) with the water from Kumbham . TheerthavAri is carried out

and ChakratthAzhwAr is immersed in the waters by the archakAs . At the

Moolavar Sannidhi , JithanTE sthOthram is recited and is followed by the

grand SaatRumuRai with Vedam, Upanishads, IthihAsams and Dhivya

Prabhandhams . PrasAdam is presented . Theertham , SatAri, Ghoshti

ViniyOgam of Bhagavad PrasAdham concludes this annual Pavitrotsavam

Festival at VishNu Temples. ***

 

*ArchakA's Mnthra Balam keeps the Sannidhyam of the consecrated Images

of the Lord at the Temples. ArchakA has to serve the Lord without

anticipating any gains (Aathmartha AarAdhanam) . Such an AarAdhanam will

grant soubhAgyams to the devotees. When the Archaka is not performing

such aarAdhanam , he is called an amantraka archakan and the Lord runs

away from him like a human being confronting a Cobra and the animals of

the forest , when they see a lion. Archaka and the devotees have to

recognize the consecrated ArchA images of the Lord as SaakshAt BhagavAn

and not as some image made of stone, metal or wood. Those who consider

that way will surely suffer in narakam. ***

 

*The Archaka , who uses the prescribed AarAdhana Mantrams daily causes

the Saannidhyam of the Lord to grow in the Consecrated Bimbams of Him.

When Archaka is blessed to perform such AarAdhanam without expecting any

returns , he reaches VishNu Padham at the end of his life on this earth.

This is what PaancharAthra Aagamam texts state.The Mantra Veeryam

(potency) of the archaka results in Saanidhyam (presence) of the Lord at

His sannidhis and Pavitrotsavam banishes any dimmuition in the Lord's

presence in His consecrated images at the VishNu Aalayams due to lapses

in AarAdhanams according to the prescribed aagamic rules . ***

 

*Let us enjoy the upcoming Pavitrotsavams at the Temples during this

season and appreciate the significance of these ancient rites. *