Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Kalyanotsavam Pictures


Sasthapreethi 09 - Kalyanotsavam (16th - 19th Dec 2009)

Kalyanotsavam

16.12.2009

The sun god was eager to rise this morning as this was the day when his Lord’s betrothal is going to take place. The morning saw the sahasranama Laksharchana being performed in the temple.

The Nischayathamboolam  (betrothal) of the Lord and Sree Devi Bhoo Devi took place in the evening. The solemn word of Kanyakadanam of the the two devis to my Lord Varadaraja Perumal was performed. The four Vedas were recited on this auspicious occasion.

The lord was taken in procession through the agraharam for Jaanavaasam. At about eight o clock the Kappu Kettal ceremony started. It ended with the Kangana dharanam ( Kaappu Kettal) of the Lord and the devis at about 9.15 Pm.

The events came to a conclusion for the day and the devotees left for their respective homes with their soul enriched by the darshan of the lord and his Nischayathamboolam. Eagerness reflected in their eyes to witness the Kalyanotsavam of the Lord on 17th.

Radhe Radhe



17.12.2009


7.00 a.m Abhishekam- After the previous day’s series of events Perumal was woken from his siesta to the tunes of Suprabhatham. The literature of suprabhatham sounded apt, as Brahma, Rudra, Devas, Kinnaras, Yakshas and other celestial beings waited upon him. Of course the Bhaktas of Lord Varadaraja Perumal were waiting upon him as well. The Abhishekam for the Perumal was performed with due ceremonies.

9.30 a.m. Resuming the events related with the Kalyanotsavam, Perumal was dressed In ‘Soman and Uttariyam’ for the ‘Paradesi Kolam’. At the appointed hour fixed by the Bhattacharyas, the Lord was taken in procession in the Paradesi Kolam. The parents of the Kanyakas stopped him in between his trip to Kasi, and promised him to give their daughters Sree Devi and Bhoo Devi to him. They gave their solemn promise about their daughters serving him for the lifetime, and to this Lord Varadaraja agreed and accepted the Asana earmarked for him.

The Maalai Matral followed and the Kanyaka dhanam and Mangalya dharanam took place subsequently. The people present were served with a sumptuous feast with Paayasanna and other delicacies. With this the Bhaktas could quench their thirst for the darshan of Perumals Kalyanotsavam and the hunger for his prasadam.

4.00 p.m. Vedaparayanam was rendered and samhitas from different Vedas were recited. The Lord was slowly invited to the stage since he was relaxing after his tiresome schedule for the past 3 days.

8.00 p.m. Oupasanam as part of the marriage celebrations was conducted and the Lord was extolled with Veda mantras and the Deeparadhana was performed.


18.12.2009

7.00 a.m. Abhishekam was performed to the tune of Vedaparayanam, and subsequent to that Oupasanam and Deeparadhana was performed as part of the Kalyanotsavam.

4.00 p.m. Vedaparayanam was performed; samhitas from the four Vedas were recited.

8.00 p.m. Once again Oupasanam and Deeparadhana was performed to the Lord before the Lord and his consorts were extolled with Mangalasasanam.








19.12.2009

7.00a.m.  As has become a custom for the last 3 days, Lord Varadaraja Perumal was performed with Abhishekam with due ceremonies, followed by Vedaparayanam.

9.00 a.m. The Lord was taken in Procession around the Agraharam on his favourite Garuda Vahanam, to meet his subjects.

Aavabridha Snanam was performed to the lord after his procession. The curtains were pulled down for the Veda parayanam, the Veda parayan samapthy was performed. The Veda parayanam performed for the last 4 days was concluded today and Deeparadhan was performed subsequent to that.

6.30 p.m. Deeparadhana was performed to the Lord. The Bhaktas offered their Kanikkais at the Lord’s Lotus feet when Aashirwadam was announced.

9.00 p.m The Lord was taken in procession throughout the Agraharam

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Sasthapreethi - Cultural Programmes

Events @ a Glance

Events on 13.12.2009

Narayaneeya Dinam,

The day started with the waking up of Lord Varadaraja to the tunes of Suprabhatham. This was followed by abhishekam where the Lord was bathed and perfumed.

At 9 o clock in the morning the lord was extolled by reciting Vishnu Sahsranamam. This was the Prelude for the day of Narayaneeyam to start.

Sampoorna narayaneeyam was recited at the glorious temple of Lord Varadaraja Perumal between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm.

The evening came with a gentle breeze and as the day merged with the night and the color of crimson spread on the western skies, the shores of Nila the eternal river and consort of Lord Varadaraja Perumal witnessed the classical dance performance by 12 small children. They were tiny feet, but were determined ones. They were making even the hardest of the heart in the vicinity to melt and move with their graceful steps, what to ask about the Karunamurthy. The lord’s grace will definitely take care about the future of the tiny feet.

As the Curtain fell for the events of 13th each and every bhaktha of the Lord, though not ready to move out of the place, felt enriched in their souls.


14.12.2009

At 6.30 Pm

It seems the skies of western sky on the previous night has narrated in detail, the glory of the Lords Vaibhavam, for today, there was even more accumulation of colors on the sky. The gentle breeze by the side of the river gave a soothing effect to the seekers of Lords lilas.

The lord was extolled with Ashtapadhi to the Tune of Edakkai. For those who have enjoy the Sopana Ganam at Guruvayur and Triprayar, this would be a treat to the ears. The ashtapadhi was all the more sweet through the rendition of Mr Balasubramanian and his wife. The Tala from Edakkai provided a perfect background.

Ashtapthi by Sri. Balasubramanian & Rajeshwari

As we came to the end of the day for events, one could hear the pounding of hearts anxious to witness the events of the upcoming day. One more day of events at Govindarajapuram Lord Varadaraja Perumal Temple came to an end.

15.12.2009

At 6.30 Pm

Nature had made its arrangements for the beautiful rendition of Thirupugazh by Thirupugazh Anbargal. Wow!! What a wonderful name for such a beautiful art. The anbargal under the leadership of Sri Balasubramaniam were simply awesome and the tunes of Thirupugazh, it seems made even the Lord himself enjoy.

Thiru Pugazal by Thirupugal Anbargal, Ambikapuram

Why not since the lord is known to be Parama Rasikan and Bhaktha Kuthuhalan. The events concluded well by the end of the day and bhakthas could not wait for the day ( 16.12.2009) when the Nischayathamboolam and Janavasam of Lord Varadaraja Perumal is going to take Place with Shree devi and Bhoo devi.

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

Sadgurunath Maharaj Ki Jai.

Varadaraja Perumal Ki Jai.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Govindarajapuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple



Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Sree Devi Bhoo Devi Sametha Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is situated in the banks of River Nila, a Tributary of the great Bharathapuzha. The beautiful and picturesque agraharam of Govindarajapuram in Palakkad houses the Lord Varadaraja Perumal with his consorts Sree Devi and Bhoo Devi.

Legend has it that Govindadasar of Kanchi, a devotee of Lord Varadaraja Perumal was on a pilgrimage of Kerala 600 years back. When he reached a spot in a thick forest, he encountered a ferocious tiger. A true devotee as he was of Lord Varadaraja Perumal, he cried for the help of the Lord. His prayer was immediately answered; the Lord rescued him from Tiger’s claws. Govindadasar prostrated before the Lord and prayed to him to permanently reside at this place and protect his devotees. The lord not only obliged but also proclaimed that an agraharam be built in the place and named after the Lord and his devotee. Thus came into existence, the agraharam of Govindrarajapuram.

Govindadasar returned to his home town of Kanchi and then came back with his kith and kin to build the temple of Lord Varadaraja Perumal at Govindarajapuram.


View Larger Map

View Larger Map

The temple has withstood the test of time during the British rule. The lord is in His Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Posture) along with his consorts. The temple is the only one in Kerala for Lord Varadaraja Perumal. The temple is one of the oldest Vaishnavite Temples in Kerala.

Sri Sri Anna (Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal) during his discourse at the temple had pointed out that the temple is one of the very few in the south for Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal and the lord showers prosperity on all those who worship at his feet with utmost devotion. It has been our endeavor to conduct poojas and celeberate annual festivals as laid down in the scriptures.

Govindarajapuram Grama Jana Samooham is a Trust formed to run the day-to-day activities at the Temple and to take care of the administration. The trust is run by the residents of the agraharam and also with support of other devotees of Lord Varadaraja Perumal who stay in other parts of the world.

Apart from the Nithya Pooja, the trust also conducts other important functions such as Ekadasi, Vaikunta Ekadasi , Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Vasanthotsavam etc. as prescribed in the scriptures. The priest is a 92-year-old person, and he has been rendering his selfless services for the past 65 years.

As mentioned earlier, the day- to- day affairs of the Temple are being run by the trust with support from residents of the agraharam and some like-minded people, since the temple doesn’t have any source for revenue.

We will be grateful if you can help us in serving Lord Varadaraja Perumal better. May His grace be showered upon you for ever.

We cordially invite you to visit the temple at your convenience and receive the blessings of Lord Varadaraja Perumal.

At the service of Lord Varadaraja Perumal

GV Venkatesh

President,

Govindarajapuram Grama Jana Samooham

Govindarajapuram,

Ambikapuram PO

Palakkad- 678011. Ph- 9846675495.