The 38th Birth Day celebrations of His Holiness Ubhaya Vedanta Srimad Sarvabhouma S.A.R Prasanna Venkatachariar Chaturvedi Swamiji will be held on the 12th and 13th of October, 2010, at Kuchalambal Kalyana Mahal, Chennai with a rare blend of religious piety, regal splendor, devotional fervour and gaiety. The entire air conditioned Mahal and the sprawling compound will be decorated with welcome arches, floral decorations, cutouts, colourful Rangoli and sparkling lights. The festivities start with Swami being given a ceremonial welcome with Nadaswaram. Kombu Vadyam, Poorna Kumbham, by Bhagavathas (devotees), and Sumangalis' harathi, Apart from Prabandam (Tamil Vedas) and Vedic recitals, the first day's programme comprises mainly of cultural events.
On the second day morning - His Birth Day - on arrival, a special reception will be accorded as done on the first day, additionally with Seer Bhakshanams (traditional sweets and savories displayed on auspicious occasions). Then, Vedam and Prabandham recitals commences, followed by rituals - Sudarsanam Homam, Narasimaha Homam, Shanti Homam for global peace and prosperity. After the Purnahuti, the Birth Day rituals begin with Mangala Snanam. Then, Acharya Mangalasasanam (blessing of preceptors), and Vedic swasthivachana takes place, followed by Bhagavatha Mangalasasana and Divya Desa Maryadai (temple honour). Silk Shawls, garlands and other divine articles brought ceremoniously by respective temple priests will be presented with benedictory recitations.
The high point of the celebration is the Peetarohanam - ascending the ornate silver throne, adorning of the golden crown, and blessing all participants sitting on the peetam. This is followed by Kanakabhishekam, Mouktikabhishekam and Ratnabhishekam -showering of gold, pearls and gems. Swamiji then delivers his customary Anugraha Bhashanam - Benedictory Address, in Sanskrit.
The next agenda is felicitations. Expected Pontiffs; Maduramangalam Jeeyar, Mahant Avadeshwaracharaya of Galtha Peetam, Mahant Raghavendacharya, Murali Manohar Mandir and VIPs which include, Padma Bhushan Dr. N.S Ramaswamy, Dr Swaminathan Vice Chairman Planning Commission, A.P, Prof. V.R.Gadgil Sanskrit scholar, Dr B Dr B.B. Chaubey and Dr H R Sharma, Vedic scholars, Dr. Vijayaraghavacharulu of TTD, Dr Avvai Natarajan Ex VC Tamil University, Dr. Kalanidhi, Ex VC Anna University, Mr Sashi Bansal, ED Sanskar TV, Dr Hanuman Choudry Telecom Giant, and Dr Abhyankar.
Dr Ian Fry and Mr. Sami Bubere will be few of the Inter-faith dignitaries, who will embellish the occasion.
The highlight of the evening revelry will be Swamiji's various ceremonial rides and processions on Horse, Chariot and Palanquin, attired in princely colourful silk suits, with the accompaniment of Band Music, Kolattam, and surrounded by dancing ecstatic devotes. The culmination of all the events will be individual blessings given to the entire crowd with Aksadai by Swami, seated on the Swarna Peetam.
Go Pooja. Gaja Pooja and elephant garlanding also will take place. The two-day celebration, which begins at dawn and extends into late night, will be attended by thousands of devotees and admirers from all corners.
The huge crowd will be treated with a variety of multi lingual cultural, literary, devotional programmes in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Sanskrit and Marathi like Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Kolattam, Jalatarangam, Puppet show, Dance Dramas, Classical and Devotional songs, Bhajans, Poetry, and Discourses. Hundreds of Birth Day greetings pour in from eminent people from all over the country and abroad, representing diverse fields.
This year, acceding to the wishes of devotees who wanted to re-relish the grandeur as well as those who missed the bliss of participation, it has been decided to hold extended Birthday Celebrations in different cities like Jammu, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Procession
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The jubilant end of the function is full of rich and colourful processions, where Swami wears specially designed royal suit with golden fittings studded with precious stones. Apart from traditional horse-ride, elephant mount and camel rides, the most attractive session is the ride on the ostentatious chariot, driven by majestic horses. Our Ashram owns a well designed elegant chariot, used on such significant and auspicious occasions. All the processions are led by traditional and modern music bands, embellished with solo and different forms of group dances of elated and ecstatic votaries and admirers. The processions are enriched by the slogans and flower showers of devotees standing on either sides and by the chanting and songs rendered by thousands, following the parade. This event evinces the gravity of reverence and gratitude shown by disciples towards their respected and beloved spiritual guide.
Kanakabhishekam
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After the sacred bath, Swami is bedecked with traditional robes and jewels like crown, ear rings and anklets. After ascending the Peetam or the sacred throne, He is greeted with shower of mantras accompanied by shower of gold, pearls and other valuable gems, which are collective offerings of a huge mass of devotees. This ceremony becomes glorious and justifiable only in cases where the recipients represent attributes like contentment, charity, service, richness and royalty. Except the stable jewelry, the rest are converted into trust assets or diverted for religious and social services.
Poorna Kumbham
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is water filled silver pot having a coconut on top of it and served as a mark of honour and reverence in ceremonial reception. White thread embraces all around its body in an intricate pattern. Mango leaves encircle the mouth in a decorative model and it is further embellished with an elegant cloth and flower gar lands.
Nalungu
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is a ceremony where Sumangalis (auspicious married women) sprinkle scented water and also perform an 'Arathi' - a mix ture of lime and turmeric mixed in water which turns red, with betel leaves. This is meant for removal of Drishti - the evil eye.
Kalasa Pooja
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is a very significant part of all homas for it is here that the main deity of the homa is invoked and worshipped. A Kalasa pot with fragrant and sanctified water is placed at the North- East ern corner of the sacrificial pit. The vessel eventually absorbs all the positive energies generated during the ritual and same is sprinkled upon and distributed at the end to energize the participants.
Homam
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is the systematized form of kindling and consecration of the sacred fire using dung, wood, dry grass and other special ingredients with ghee, which is vivified by invocation of divine forces. Offerings are made amid the recitation of prescribed prayers and mantras. The fire-altar (homa kunda) is generally made of brick or stone, where various rituals are performed successively in order to activate various energies.
Mangala Snana
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is the sacred bath ceremony performed as a holy beginning before the coronation and succeeding birthday rituals and processions. Seated on an ornamental stool over Rangoli, sanctified water from various sacred rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari, Thungabadra in goid and silver pots are ceremoniously poured on the head, accompanied by Mantras and Nadaswaram music.
Akshata
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is full raw rice grains, mixed with turmeric and ghee, empowered by benediction, offered and showered as a beneficial conductor of auspiciousness at weddings and other ceremonies. Mantraksha is the vital part of all spiritual ceremonies in our tradition.
Nadaswaram
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is a majestic wind instrument, assisted by the Giant drum (tavil) and small cymbals, which forms conventional South Indian music ensemble It is performed during all auspicious occasions and temple rituals as a remover of evil forces and booster of positive vibrations in the environment.
Go & Gaja Puja
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is Cow & Elephant worship. Cow is glorified as a divine entity, serving as an abode of all deities. Elephant and horse are also signified in rituals and ceremonies as divine manifestation and representation.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
