A social reformer, by the name Ramanujacharya Swami ushered in lot of changes in society a thousand years ago. He drew inspiration from the scriptures and the history of temples where Lord presented Himself. To preserve that message for future generations, we have a magnificent Statue of Equality (216 feet tall statue of Swami Ramanujacharya) and 108 Divya Desams which provided inspiration to him established in Hyderabad 3 years ago. To celebrate the third anniversary of this milestone, Brahmotsavams are currently underway. It provides a rare occasion for devotees to experience the bliss of getting to watch 18 Garuda Sevas in one evening! The event, called “Samatha Kumbh 2025” provides a treat to all senses while immersing in the divine bliss. Here is a detailed report of today’s events.
The day started in a serene atmosphere at about 6 AM, where the devotees, scholars and vedic students assembled for morning prayers and meditation.
The auspicious day of Magha-Pournima started with meditation in a serene atmosphere, under Swamiji’s guidance.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji recounted the process of doing meditation to all assembled devotees. The train of thoughts that we need to be immersed in, before and during the japam were summarized by Swamiji.
It is heartening to note the number of students and youngsters increasing in these early morning sessions day-by-day in this event.
We use this mechanism of daily meditation to refresh and recharge our mind and body so that we lead our life as a service to God.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji explained how we do the meditation
Many students participated in the early morning meditation
Devotees proceeded towards yaga sala after japam. Morning prayers were offered.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji gave a brief outline of today’s scheduled events.
Swamiji graced Teertha goshti to the assembled devotees after Aradhana.
While the Teertha goshti was going, Sriman Madhu swami – an authority on Yagna practices – spoke and explained about the intricacies of homams that are happening in Samatha Kumbh.
There are nine Homa Kundams inside the sala, built as per prescriptions of Pancharatra agama. Four modes of worship (chatussthana archana) happen inside the yaga sala here – Bimba aradhana (archa murthi / vigraham), Kumbha aradhana (Kalasam), Manadala aradhana (Chakrabja mandalam / rangoli), Kunda aradhana (homa kundam). He also explained about nine different shapes of the nine homa kundams, as per agama scriptures.
We enjoyed the bliss of 18 Garuda sevas yesterday evening. The Lords belonging to Divyadesams 1 to 18 graced us with this seva.
It is customary to offer Thirumanjanam (abhishekam) to Lord after returning from Garuda seva. Since we are having Garuda seva utsavams in the evenings during this event, the Lords accept evening prayers and rest for the day at their abodes. So the thirumanjanam event happens the next day morning.
After accepting the abhishekam service in 18 forms and blessing the devotees, the Lord returned to His abode.
Thirumanjana Seva for 18 Perumals, Lord Rama and Swami Ramanuja
Archaka swamis seeking permission to offer abhishekam service
Perumal gracefully accepting the service
All pervading God shows the quality of Soulabhyam in the form of archa murthi – Takes abhishekam service offered by us
Sahasra dhaara
Devotees enjoying the blissful experience of abhishekam to Perumal in 18 forms. Archaka swamis are also offering them the herbs used in the service
Ramanuja Noottandadi is a collection of 108 pasurams (verses) sung in praise of Swami Ramanuja. Elders regard this set of 108 verses equivalent to Gayathri mantram. Hence it is called “Prapanna Gayathri” and is also part of the revered “Naalayira Divya Prabandham” (Four thousand verses of Dravida Vedanta).
Devotees proceeded to have lunch after this event
Evening sessions started with collective chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotram.
Lord Rama of Divya Saketam arrived at the venue on his Hanumad-vahanam.
Swami Ramanuja on his Hamsa vahanam was facing Lord Rama while fetching the Lord to venue. Thus, Ramanuja was walking backwards while watching Rama coming forward.
The Lords of second set of 18 divya desams arrived at the venue on their respective Garuda vahanams. They went to Yaga Sala first, blessed the Nithya Purnahuthi there, did a Parikramana of Yaga sala and reached the final venue of Mangalasasanams – the main stage.
Perumal blessed us with the Garuda sevas in the following 18 forms today:
The day started in a serene atmosphere at about 6 AM, where the devotees, scholars and vedic students assembled for morning prayers and meditation.
The auspicious day of Magha-Pournima started with meditation in a serene atmosphere, under Swamiji’s guidance.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji recounted the process of doing meditation to all assembled devotees. The train of thoughts that we need to be immersed in, before and during the japam were summarized by Swamiji.
It is heartening to note the number of students and youngsters increasing in these early morning sessions day-by-day in this event.
We use this mechanism of daily meditation to refresh and recharge our mind and body so that we lead our life as a service to God.
Devotees proceeded towards yaga sala after japam. Morning prayers were offered.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji gave a brief outline of today’s scheduled events.
Swamiji graced Teertha goshti to the assembled devotees after Aradhana.
Morning prayers / Aradhana at yaga sala.
Devotees participating in morning seva kalam near yaga sala
Lord Rama accepting morning prayers in yaga sala.
Veda parayana vinnapam - Sattumurai
Today being a Tuesday, it is auspicious for activities related to Lord Narasimha. Devotees participated with enthusiasm in collective aradhana of Narasimha Swami.
God displayed the quality of making the words of a devotee true, whatever be the circumstances. Just to prove the words of little boy Prahlada that God is in everything, He had to be ready to emerge out of anything in the form that is specific to overcome the boons of demon HiranyaKasipu at the specific instant.
Swamiji gave very detailed instructions regarding how to perform puja. All the required puja materials were provided to devotees by the volunteers. Even small things like how we should take Theertham, etc. were demonstrated with great clarity.
Very comfortable arrangements were done for devotees to practise the Aradhana by themselves. Volunteers provided all the necessary material for every one who wanted to participate in this. Devotees who were comfortable to sit on floor and perform puja did so. Elders who preferred to sit in chairs, did the aradhana while in chairs. Some devotees preferred to watch the others practise the Aradhana.
It was a great experience to learn the detailed steps from Acharya himself and have this practical experience. Devotees kept the idols used by them as their souvenirs while volunteers cleared the rest of material after puja.
Devotees proceeded to have lunch after this even
Devotees followed the instructions of Swamiji and performed Aradhana of Narasimha swami with enthusiasm
This is the shape our hand needs to form while taking theertham.
Arrangements were done comfortably so that everyone could get the practice of doing Aradhana.
Devotees who could sit on the floor to do Aradhana did so. Elders did puja while being seated in chairs…
Devotees felt happy that they could learn this puja process in practise.
…while some devotees just enjoyed watching the others perform aradhana.
A set of devotees, cutting across all age groups (from 10 years old boy to 80 years old lady) have memorized all slokas of Ramayana very well. They displayed their skills in an interactive fashion with audience.
A quick observation here – Lot of young students were part of both the audience and contestants. This augurs very well for the society – youth taking keen interest in our heritage, history and epics.
Anyone in the audience chooses a specific Kanda and Sarga by number. The contestants can immediately tell the content of Ramayana that is explained in that Kanda and Sarga. For example, if the audience says “Kishkindha kanda, 4th sarga”, the contestants will tell immediately – “Hanuman takes Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva”.
Reversal of roles from earlier round. Here, the audience tells the content that is covered in a specific sarga. The contestants answer with the Kanda name and sarga number.
The audience were enthralled with this performance. Swamiji wanted many more of us to take inspiration from these people and know more about our history and epics.
The event concluded by everyone giving a standing ovation to the team.
Towards the end of program, a link to live quiz was also given (tinyurl.com/sk-day1) which would be open till 5 PM on the same day. Anyone can participate in this quiz from anywhere. The intention is to have such quizzes on daily basis to reach out to remote devotees too.
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