Fw: Pavitrotsavam Invitation:

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees :

 

I am pleased to forward Dr.Venakat Kanumalla's invitation for your particIpation

in the PavithrOthsavam celebrations starting tomorrow and concluding on Saturday

,

Sep 17 . PoorNAhUthi will be on Saturday , Sep 17 . Please recieve PoorNAhUthi

PrasAdhams and be blessed with the Sevai of all Moolavars adorning Silver

Kavachams .

Dhavjasthambham project is underway . Please come and celebrate .

 

V.Sadagopan

 

-

venkat kanumalla

sridhardikshit

Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:26 AM

Pavitrotsavam Invitation:

 

 

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 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

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.

 

 

--

for Good

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