September 11, 2009 – Day Three of Tiruppavai Mahotsavam and Andal Kalyanotsavam

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September 11, 2009 – Day Three of Tiruppavai Mahotsavam and Andal Kalyanotsavam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People

usually remember "black" days in history and September 11th has almost

universally been considered as a "black" day or "blacklisted" day ever

since the terror attack on the twin towers in USA. However we do not

seem to have too many "white" days if we can call them so though a lot

of good happens everyday the world over. Be it the newspapers, radio or

television, they promise to help us see everything in black and white

but one gets a feeling that somehow the black is overemphasized! A

brief peep into history and a broader perspective would make one

realize that it was precisely on this day 116 years ago that Swami

Vivekananda thundered his first speech in Chicago and interestingly, it was a call for religious tolerance!

And

again, at Prashanti Nilayam, the Andal Kalyanotsavam was scheduled. Any

"Kalyanotsavam" is performed generally for the welfare (Loka kalyanam) of all, irrespective of all differences!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The

morning session saw the rituals being completed with the chantings.

Swami had indicated that He would be physically present to witness the

holy marriage of Andal and Lord Ranganatha which in turn symbolizes the

union of Prakruthi (nature) with the Purusha (God). It was shortly after 4:20 p.m. that Swami arrived for darshan.He was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the priests who were conducting the rituals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The idols of Sri Ranganatha and Andal were being borne in palanquins

that awaited Swami's arrival. Swami had a look at them when He passed

through the marbled blocks.

 

Completing the darshan rounds, Swami moved to the stage. The sanctum was bare and the idols were to be brought in a palanquin procession.

 

With Swami's permission that ceremony began. The palanquin bearers

moved with the gait of an elephant as they carried the "bride" and

"groom" on their shoulders.

 

As the idols were placed on the stage, Swami moved in front and had a look at them.

 

He blessed the garlands made of Tulasi (basil) leaves to be placed on the idols. A welcoming aarthi was performed and soon preparations for the Kalyanam began.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this, Swami went inside interview for a short while and when He

returned He said that He too would witness the holy union like everyone

else in the audience. Next, he himself moved down the stage and sat

alongside the students and it was such a special feeling for all those

around Him. Surely, the gods on the stage too would have felt very

special that the Lord was taking a prime viewing position to witness

them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The

Veda chanting was on ceaselessly and the chanting on stage too

progressed. Swami sitting down was a unique and beautiful sight. Viewed

from the ladies' side, Swami was a saffron speck on a sea of white,

while viewed from the gents' side, He was a saffron speck on a

colourful sea! Meanwhile on the stage, bedecking the bride with finery

and anointment of the groom proceeded in the traditional and detailed

manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every item that was used for the worship was brought to Swami for

blessings and Swami smilingly blessed them every time. As per

tradition, a curtain was drawn between Andal and the Lord Ranganatha.

As per Bharatiya traditions, the parents choose the partners and the

bride and groom see each other for the first time only during the

marriage. To ensure a joyous and sacred life, the bride and groom would

see each other at a holy time (Muhurtham) till which, a curtain would be put between them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing the grandeur of the culture and the beauty of the traditions, Swami seemed very moved. He Himself blessed and gave the Mangala sutra, the

sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of

their marriage. In traditional style, the garlands were exchanged and

the Mangala sutra tied. During this, flowers, grains and

pearls were showered in plenty on the idols. Then curtains were drawn

again and the idols which were separate from each other were placed on

the same pedestal before the curtain was reopened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again customary offerings by married women to God were made as women

moved to Swami from the ladies' side. Once the ceremony was complete,

Swami moved to the stage and had a close look at the decked idols. At

this point, all the priests too offered their salutations to Him and

were blessed with little personal interactions too. Swami then sat on

the dais and asked for the students to sing. He did not want any speech.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students sang a few bhajans

after which, Swami asked the people sitting right in front of Him, "You

are ready to sing songs?" They vigorously nodded to say that they were

eager to sing. Swami asked them to start and they began immediately.

Starting with “Andal Kalayana Vaibhogame, Rangamannar Kalyana

Vaibhogame …â€, they continued with “Sai Easwari, Sathya Sai Easwari

Jagat Palini â€, “Sabkha Malik Ek Hai, Allah Malik Moula Malik †They

concluded their presentation with a Tamil song “Amma enral anbu…(Mother

means Love)â€.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echoing

their sentiments before the song, they said, “You are always with us

mother Sai; whenever we are in trouble, you are there to protect us.â€

They then moved up the stage and Swami told them that He was very

happy. He blessed them personally and also blessed prasadam for distribution. Prasadam was to the scale of a sumptuous dinner with chitrannam (tamarind rice), pongal (sweet rice) and sweet polis being served to all on traditional plates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami told the students to begin eating and they did so, but not before

chanting the Brahmaarpanam mantra in full throat. The priests requested

Swami for a group picture and Swami gracefully obliged them. Many spoke

to Him and He reciprocated their love. Aarthi was performed and by 6:30 p.m., Swami was back in Yajur Mandir.

 

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