It is that time of year when all of us come together to celebrate the day when Swami Ramanuja blessed all of us by appearing in the form of Grand Statue of Equality in Hyderabad. This is third such anniversary. Elders have given the event a name – “Samatha Kumbh” and prescribed that it starts on the day of Ardraa star during the month of Magha as per lunar calendar. Typically it goes on for 11 days and concludes on the day of Chitta star.
During this year, we are celebrating from 9th February 2025 to 19th February 2025.
Utsava A:arambha Snapanam
The day started with the rutwiks, in presence of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, offering divine showers to the golden statue of Ramanuja at 8 AM. This marked the beginning of 11-day festivities – “Utsava aarambha snapanam”.
HH Jeeyar Swamiji explained the outline of these Brahmotsavams. These start on the birth star (Ardraa) of Swami Ramanuja and end with the birth star (Chitta) of Lord Rama, who is the presiding deity of Divya Saketa Kshetram. He explained about the structure of upcoming Brahmotsavam festivities.
To mark the beginning of this annual event, a “Samatha Yatra” – possession was arranged in Hyderabad city near Necklace Road. The devotees proceeded to the venue of yatra in buses.
Sanctum Sanctorum of SoE nicely decorated to start the annual festivities.
Samatha Yatra at Necklace Road
A rally was organized in the heart of Hyderabad city (Necklace road) just before noon.
Swamiji paid respects at Amedkar statue in Necklace road and proceeded with the rally. Devotees, Vikasa Tarangini volunteers and students participated with enthusiasm.
At the end of rally, everyone assembled at a venue where there were seating arrangements done and the dignitaries addressed them from dias.
Students of Gautami Nrithyalaya performed a dance ballet on Swami Ramanujacharya.
Many dignitaries spoke and wished well for the success of Samatha Kumbh.
HH Swamiji spoke about the spirit of Equality that Bhagavad Ramanuja practised during his lifetime, a thousand years ago. Leaders like B R Ambedkar took inspiration from Swami Ramanuja’s life and teachings while working on Indian constitution.
Swamiji also drew a parallel with Maha Kumbh that is going currently at Prayagaraj. The devotees are going there from all parts of the world to take a holy dip and praying for their upliftment – both spiritually and mentally; wishing for the spirit of unity amongst everyone. Similarly, we need to take a holy dip in the showers of Swami Ramanuja’s blessings at Samatha Kumbh event.
The devotees and Viakasa Tarangini volunteers who came from different places got into about 80 buses and they travelled to Statue of Equality venue as a group. This concluded the “Samatha Yatra” part of the event.
Vishwaksena puja and Ankurarpanam
Afternoon session started with Vishwaksena Puja. At the beginning of any event, we pray to Vishwaksena to ensure there are no hurdles in conducting that event.
The utsava murtis of Swami Ramanuja and Lord Ramachandra arrived at the venue and oversaw the puja.
HH Ahobila Jeeyar Swamiji kept explaining various steps in this puja to the assembled devotees.
The ingredients that will be used in homams are all purified with mantras as prescribed in agamas. This is called ‘Punyaham’. The theertham used in this process was taken to the devotees and sprinkled on them too, by archaka swamis.
Rutwiks bring the nava-dhanyas (nine types of seeds) and sow them in 12 pots (palikas) in the north-east corner of the yaga-sala. This process is called ‘Ankurarpana’. It is believed that these seeds germinate and grow into nice saplings by the end of event, indicating that the event had been successful / fruitful.
At the end of this program, Vishvaksena swami goes around the entire premises to ensure all the arrangements are done properly for successful conduct of the event. It is called ‘Veedhee-sodhana’.
‘Rutwik-Varanam’ is the process of appointing different vedic scholars to perform different duties in the homams (like ‘Brahma’, ‘Hotha’, etc.). ‘Deeksha-vastrams’ (sacred clothes to be worn while performing homams) are offered to such Rutwiks.
While performing homams in general, the fire is lit by churning of some sticks. This process is called ‘Arani mathanam’. However, during Brahmotsavams, this process is NOT followed to lit the fire. Instead, sun rays are used with the help of lens and the fire is lit with those rays. This process will happen in the morning tomorrow.
