SriVari Kalyanotsavam

DEVOTEES OF GUNTUR WERE ENTHRALLED TO WITNESS CELESTIAL WEDDING  – SriVari Kalyanotsavam

Guntur, 12 April 2015: As a part of the ongoing Venkateswara Vaibhavotsavams in Guntur, the denizens were captivated by the grandeur of the Lord of Riches during the Kalyanotsavam which was performed on Sunday morning.

The celestial marriage of Lord Malayappa Swamy and His two Consorts lasted for about three hours. This ritual was carried out under the supervision of TTD Agama advisor and scholar Sri Sundaravadanacharyulu. Tirupati JEO Sri P Bhaskar, HDPP Special officer Sri Sriram Raghunath, Kalyanotsavam project special officer Sri Ramachandra Reddy were also present.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SRIVARI KALYANOTSAVAM :    This ritual is usually performed seeking the well being of the entire humanity. However in Vaikhanasa Agama, which is in practice in Tirumala to carryout temple rituals, Kalyanotsavam is popularly known as “Vaivahika Mahotsavam”. So the couples especially the newly wed, who wish to have a blissful marital life with the blessings of Lord Venkateswara do participate in Kalyanotsavam in big numbers.

SRIVARI KALYANOTSAVAM PROCEDURE :

Earlier this ritual was performed in Abhijit Lagnam (a lagnam which is considered to auspicious to every individual irrespective of their birth star, almanac etc.) The ritual started with Devataradhana and Sabha Vandanam. The ritual performing priests sits in Kurmasana facing East to the deities. The celestial marriage of the deities was performed as per the traditional Hindu Marriage system in the following procedure.

Punahavachanam: This is a sanctifying ritual conducted to cleanse all the articles, premises prior to the commencement of celestial marriage.

Vishwaksena Aradhana: After Punahavachanam follows Vishwaksena Aradhana. Lord Vishwaksena happens to be Commander-in-Chief of Lord Venkateswara who supervises the ritual.

The purified water in the kalasam is sprinkled on all the articles in Homakundam and Mantapam.

Ankurarpana: Next followed Ankurarpana which signifies a healthy beginning to start any ritual. The Asta Dikpalakas are invoked and worshiped in this ritual.

Pratisara Bandhana: This is yet another main part of the celestial wedding where in the sacred Kankanams (holy threads) are tied to the right hand of the Lord and left hand of His Consorts while the ritual performing priests tie it to their right hands only. Swasti Sooktam is recited.

Agni Pratishta: Then follows Agni Pratista where in the pious agni is lit and Prayaschitta homam is performed.

Vastra Samarpana: After the Agni Pratistha new set of silk vastrams were offered to deities. (The Lord and Goddesses will be seated separately on two different Asans as they are yet to tie the holy wedding knot)

Maha Sankalpam: Then the important phase of the ritual, Maha Sankalpam is performed where in the descendent of Tallapaka family (the family which dedicated their lives in the service of Lord Venkateswara since last 600 years) performed Kanyadanam on behalf of Goddesses.

Kanyadanam: In any Hindu Marriage, Kanyadanam occupies a prominent place. Here the Gotra Pravaras of Lord and His Consorts were recited by the priests

Bharadwaja Gotram – Lord Venakteswara

Bhargava Gotram     – Goddess Sri Devi

Kasyapa Gotram       – Goddess Bhu Devi

Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam: The Divine Wedding Ceremony comes to a grand end with, Mangalya Dharana where the Lord Venkateswara tied the Holy Mangala Sutrams to His beloved Consorts.

Varana Mayiram: This is a prominent and most entertaining phase usually performed during South Indian Hindu Weddings. The Lord and His Consorts played with floral balls and coconuts facing each other. (Here the priests and Tallapaka descendent perform this ritual on behalf of the deities). After this the garlands of deities are also exchanged.

Aarti: After the conclusion of the pleasant “Love Game”, the Consorts are seated on either sides of Lord, with Sridevi taking the Right side and Bhudevi occupying the left place of Maha Simhasanam. Now Karpoora Aarati, Nakshatra Aarati and Maha Aarti were rendered marking the grand ending of the Celestial Wedding Ceremony of Lord Malayappa Swamy with His two Consorts-Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI