Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 06-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

After the prolonged day’s events the Lord was woken up to the tunes of Vedic chanting and bathed in the customary form of abhishekam.The Chakrathazhwar took bath in the River Nila and devotees took bath along with him. Special Nivedhyam of Curd Rice was offered to the Lord and Dhwajavarohanam followed the same.

In the evening Abhishekam was performed out of the sacred waters in the kumbhas which were offered with Poojas throughout the utsavam. Pallikai was immersed in the river after this. Mahanivedhyam followed this.

Beautiful rendition of Kshamapanamanthram by sri Ramamoorthy Bhattacharyar and his son Sri Rajaram Bhattacharyar followed. The acharya made the Kshamaapanam to the Lord for any kind of shortcomings, mistakes that happened in the course of the utsavam and sought his blessings and grace for one and all.

The acharya Maryadhai followed this and this marked the end of Vasantotsavam 2010.

We pray to the Lord Sri Bhoomi Sametha Sri Varadaraja Swami to bless the readers in the same manner as he has blessed the people who were fortunate enough to witness the Mahotsavam in person.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 05May2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 05-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

After the customary abhishekam, Sri Varadaraja Perumal was immersed in kalabhabhishekam. Purohitas assembled at the Temple for Upanishad parayanam and the same was rendered at about 8.0 am. After the Upanishad Parayanam, deepearadhani was performed to the Mollavar and Utsavar.

The time was ready for performing the Punyahavachanm of the Ratham. Devotees were eager and restless to see the Swami mounting on the Ratham. As the punyahavachanam ended, the sacred Bali was performed in the presence of the lord. This is the only time in the entire year when the Lord himself comes down to oversee the Bali being performed.

Utsavar was decorated in a grand manner the flowers added to the beauty of the lord. The lord went for gramapradhakshinam on the devotees shoulder this time.

At about 10.30 am Perumal mounted on the Ratham, much to the satisfaction of devotees’ eyes. The Ratham slowly moved to the centre o the agraharam and waited for dusk to move further.

The evening came and the whole of Govindarajapuram was in an exuberant mood. Men from different walks, women an children all were eager to start of the celebrations. The Ratham moved further down the Agraharam and by the time it returned back to the Temple it was about 8.30 pm.

Fireworks announced the arrival of the Ratham back to the temple and deeparadhani was performed after the return of Ratham.

Beautiful Pallaku ( Palanquin was ready for the Pallkachery in the night. This was the night when the Lord of Govindarajapuram, Sri Varadaraja Perumal was in fully immersed in the Joy of his devotees. The night witnessed one of the finest Pallakachery in the recent times and the Nivedhyam was performed to the lord after this.

Thus the devotees witnessed the Rathotsavam of the Lord and blessed are the eyes who could catch a glimpse of the day’s events.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 04May2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 04-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

Abhishekam with 16 dravyas was performed in the morning, and Kalabhabhisekam was doen to the lord on the occasion of Kuthirayottam. After the morning poojas, Prasadam was distributed. Kuthirayottam was performed in the evening about 6.30 pm. The chakrathazhwar mounted on the royal horse to inspect the streets of the agraharam before the Lords visit the next day. Bursting crackers announced the completion of Chakrathazhwar’s mission.
The Utsavar mounted on the white Horse for Grama Pradhakshinam. The sight of lord with his whip in one hand decked with flowers will remain green in one’s memory for a lifetime. Such was the costume of the lord. He was wearing a beautiful velvet clothing of Maroon color and the contrasting colors of the flowers and garlands were simply awesome.

Blessed indeed are those eyes which could catch the glimpse of the lord in the Alankaram. Blessed indeed are those hands which could make the alankaram with so much beauty.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 03May2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 03-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The routine abhishekam was performed to the lord and Deeparadhanai was finished by 9 am. Carnatic music from the Keyboard of Narayanan and Arjun Sambasivan, two wonderful disciples of the musical Maestro Mandolin U Srinivas, filled the atmosphere in the evening. It was a revelation for us that even a western instrument like Keyboard can sound so Carnatic.

The Utsavar mounted on the Pushpa Pallakku, the Chariot of flowers for Grama Pradhakshinam.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 02May2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 02-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The routine abhishekam was performed to the lord and Deeparadhanai was finished by 9 am. The Lord mounted on the Aana Vaahanam in the evening. Carnatic Musical Performance was given by Sruthi and Krithika. The notes of Carnatic music added charm to the already serene atmosphere. One could experience the Bhooloka Vaikuntham as the atmosphere was filled with the energy of Lord together with the music and the presence of devotees. The Gramapradhakshinam was held after the music event.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 01May2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 01-05-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

May 1st was the day chosen for the Kalyanotsavam of the Lord with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. After the customary abhishekam in the morning the Thirukalyanam was performed at the mukha mantapam.

The Vratham function was performed first which was followed by Kaasi Yaatrai. The Lord was taken for Kaasi Yaatrai when the brides’ parents stopped him midway. The lord was pleased by the request from the bride’s parents and accepted the hands of Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The Maalaimatral and Oonchal follwed after which the Mangalyadharanam was performed.

Sumptuous feast was served to all those who were present for the marriage.
The utsavar was adorned with beautiful garlands of Arali,Tulasi and Jasmine.The Utsavar mounted on the Aadisesha Vaahanam and went around the Agaraharam for Grama Pradhakshinam.
Carnatic Musical Performance was given by Ms Sudha Rani. Beautiful kritis in the praise of the Perumal was rendered which transpired the listener to the other world.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 30 Apr 2010

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 30-04-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The customary abhishekam and Deeparadhanai was performed in the morning.
The evening saw the Lord Varadaraja Perumal mounted on his Periya Thiruvadi( Garuda vahanam). The lord mounts on the Garuda Vaahanam for Shishta Paripalanam. When Gajendra was caught on the Jaws of the crocodile, lord rushed on the Garuda Vaahanam to deliver him from the cycle of birth and death and to grant Moksha.
It is said that even the Sankhu and Chakra were late to arrive at the spot of Gajendramoksham, since the Lord rushed at such a speed when his devotee was in distress. The Alankaram for the day was eye catching and one would not take his eye of the Utsavar. The grama pradakshinam was not performed due to the arrival of Indra and Varuna in the form of Thunderous Rain.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 29Apr10

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 29-04-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

As the devotees waited upon the lord to have his morning Darshan, the Lord was woken up to the tunes of Vedic Chants. Routine abhishekam was performed and deeparadhanai followed.
After the majestic procession on the Simha Vaahanam on the previous day, the lord mounted on th shouldersof his favourite devotee, Sri Hanuman. Sri Hanuman also known as the Siriya Thriuvadi in the vaishnava sampradayam, was decked with Vada maalai. Sri Hanuman is the representation of Sadguru who shows the way of Bhakthi upon Sri Hari.

The Utsavar was taken in procession on the Hanumantha Vaahanam at 9.00 pm and through the village and deeparadhanai was performed to the Utsavar after that.

Let us wait for the dusk of Friday the 30^th when the lord will be mounting on Garuda Vaahanam.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram 28Apr10

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 28-04-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The morning saw abhishekam being performed to the Lord. Deeparadhanai was performed at the appointed hour.

The utsavar mounted on the Simha (LION) vaahanam on the second day of the events. Beautiful garlands of Tulasi, Jasmine and Arali adorned him. Niramaalai from the entry of the temple to the steps leading to Sanctum Sanctorum was draped. The lord appeared majestic on Simha Vaahanam and was really a delight to the eyes of the Prahladas present there. The every sight of the lord mounting on the Simha Vaahanam would have sent pangs of fear in the hearts of Hiranyakasipus around the world

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple 27Apr10

Events @ Govindarajapuram temple - 27-04-2010

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

The day started with the usual abhishekam together with Vedic chanting. After the customary Deeparadhanai, the Flag with the Royal Insignia of the Lord Varadaraja Perumal was hoisted. The insignia was nothing but the ‘Devotee Supreme’ – Garudazhwaar. The Royal Flag was hoisted at about 9:45 AM and the same is still flying high announcing the commencement of Vasanthotsavam.

The evening events began at about 6:00 PM with the Utsavar mounting on the Hamsa (Swan) Vaahanam. The lord was decked in his ornaments to the delight of the devotees’ eyes. Lucky are those eyes which could witness the Lord mounting on the Hamsa Vaahanam. Garlands of Jasmine, Tulasi and Arali added to the charm the Lord Varadaraja Perumal had already thrown on the devotees’ hearts.

Due to heavy rains the Vaahanam was not taken around in procession and the same was kept for darshan at the mantapam in the Temple.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaya

Event @ Govindarajapuram temple - 26-04-2010