Annual Pavithrothsavam

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Dear BhakthAs:

 

Annual Pavithrothsavams 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 Uthsava Moorthy

at a specailly constructed yaaga saala. The decoration of all the Moorthys

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

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

the temple tradition. The time for the performance of the Pavithrothsavam 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 October for 3 days. Special pavithra 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 Pavithrothsam , it is relevant to point out that

another purificatory ceremony performed inside the sanctum sanctorium

(garbha graham) knownas "Koil Azhwaar Thirumanjanam" (KAT) is quite different

from the annual pavithrothsavam. The KAT is performed four times an year at

the sanctum sanctorium of Thirumala Srinivasan's temple. Pavithrothsavam is

performed only once a year in all temples . On the day of KAT at Thirumala ,

the Uthsava moorhtys and the akanda 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 anda light abhishEkam is performed for the Moolavar and Bhoga Srinivasan.

Naivedhyam is offered and distributed. This is a physical cleaning act .

 

Pavithrothsavam is a well prescribed ritual , where the archakar prays for

forgivenss for all lapses--conscious or otherwise-- in the daily worship

of the Lord .

 

On the evening before Pavithrothsavam, a prayer to the Lord (Bhagavath praarthanai)

is offered ;this is followed by (1) Acharya-Yajamaana sankalpam ( vow to perform

the Pavithrothsavam) (2) Vaasudeva Punyahavachanam( cleansing act before any ritual

at the temple with appropriate veda manthras and sprinkling of the areas of uthsavam

with consecrated water )(3) Mrudh sankrahanam ( Collection of earth )

(4) ankuraarpanam ( germination of seeds in special vessels in the earth housed

in special vessels ) and (5) Vaasthu Saanthi ( prayers to Vaasthu Purushan

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 bhandham(tying of raksha

on the wrists of the Lord and Acharyaas) . The special priests versed in aagama rituals

enter the yaaga saalai ( pravesam ) and the dhwaara poojai is performed.Next Kumbha,

Mandala, Bhimbha poojaas are conducted. Consecration of the Agni for the homams

(agni prathishtai) follows. All the specially constructed pavithra maalais are consecrated

and adorn all the Uthsava and Moola bherams. Pradhaana homam and PoorNaahuthi

followed by laghu Saarrumurai concludes the morning's ceremonies.

 

On the evening of the second day , Yaaga Saalai pravesam, Dhwaara Poojai

are perfomed first and is followed by Chathur-sthaana archanai , Kumbha-Mandala-

Bhimbha-Agni poojaas . Nithya homam and Poornaahuthi 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 speciaI events for the third day evening are:

the abhishekam (Thirumanjanam) for the Lord with 81 kalasams as at Srirangam.

A very special homam with deep ritualistic significance known as " Shodasa Tatthva

Nyaasa Homam" is performed . Saanthi homam and Saarrumurai are the final

rituals for the third day.

 

On the morning of the fourth day , the ceremonies of PavithrOthsavam come to

a conclusion in the following sequence: Yaaga saalai pravesam , dhwaara pooja,

chathur sthaana archanai, nithya homam , Mahaa Poornaahoothi, Mahaa dhwaara devathai

yathaa sthaanam, Kumbha yathaa sthaanam , Kumbha yaathraa dhaanam . The consecrated

waters from the three day long ceremonies are sprinkled over all corners of the temple.

A big Saarrumurai and Mangala Aaratthi are then performed . The Pavithra maalais are removed

and distributed to devotees , who took part in the ghoshti and prasaadham is offered

to the Lord and distributed to all .

 

The PavithrOthsavam 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 dampathis.

 

adiyEn benefitted a great deal form discussions with Sri Varadha Bhattar of

Oppiliappan Sannidhi in preparation of this posting , who is presently serving

as the archakar at Sri Ranganatha Temple at Pomona , NY. My sincere

thanks are to him.

 

Daasan, Oppiliappan KOil Varadachari Sadagopan