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On the 5th of March 2023, the Mandala Abhishekam of Lord Ganesha and Rudra Homa were conducted on the completion of a mandala (48 days) after the grand inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam, Uyamballi.
Lord Ganesha, aptly named as Sri Satyaatmatva Mahaganapathi, was adorned with beautiful, hand-crafted silver Kavacham (armour) consisting of a red-stone studded kireetam, karnapatram, tripunram, modaka hasta, danta hasta, pasha, angusha and vilambita sutra on this auspicious day.
Kalasha Pujas and Aradhanas make up the morning celeberations
The morning celebrations commenced with the Kalasha Puja, where Kalashas for different deities were established, and Kalasha Aradhana was performed. Priests from Chidambaram officiated the Pujas and Homas. During the Kalasha Aradhana, the different deities were invoked and worshipped through the chants by the priests. The Tavil-Nadaswaram-Saxophone troupe elevated the atmosphere with their vibrant devotional music and melodious keerthanams.
The Homa Konda was set up and performed next in the Yaagashaala. Alankaaram and other ritualistic decorations were done to the Homa Konda and the intricately-carved silver Kavacham placed on the Kalasha added to the serenity of the occasion.
The morning session concluded with the Maha Mangala Aarathi and sweet pongal as prasadam.
Rudra Abhishekam and Alankaram mark the evening celebrations
The afternoon celebrations started with rudrayaagam, where every line of rudram was offered with swaha to Lord Shiva, as a namaskaram to His all prevailing nature. Ganesha yaagam was performed, wherein 108 modakas and 108 items such as jaggery, ghee, fruits, padaarthas, scented items and other sanctified items were offered to Lord Ganesha through the yaagam. The various items that were offered to the Lord signify the various aspects of our daily life, reminding us that everything in our lives is temporary, except for God.
Rudrabhishekam was performed in adoration of Sri Somasundareshwara, the beautiful marbled Shiva Lingam. 11 elements were offered as Abhishekam for the Lord, which included panchaamrutam (milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar), tender coconut, fruits, dry fruits, coconut, sandalwood paste and vibhuti, concluding with alankaram and aarthi of Sri Somasundareshwara. Chants of Ekadasha Rudram reverberated all around, with prayers for the divinity in the atmosphere to prevail.
The musician troupe rendering of Magudi and Aadu Pambe in ragam Punnagavarali created an intense rasa of divinity and feeling of oneness within all present and made everyone revel in the blissful festivities.
After the Yaagam, the Kalashas established for the various deities in the morning sessions were used for Prokshanam, Alankaaram and Aradhana for each deity around the ashram, starting with Nagar (the Snake Lord), Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Sri Bhakta Anjaneya. Vada Maala was offered to Lord Anjaneya, with prayers for the welfare of the entire universe.
The festivities then continued in front of the Ganesha temple, where Abhishekam and Alankaram of Sri Satyaatmatva Mahaganapati and the Uthsava Murthy of the Lord were performed. Abhishekam with the 11 elements, followed with the grand Alankaram of Mahaganapati was done. Yagnopaveeta Dhaarana was chanted while the sacred thread was tied around the Lord, followed by elaborate vastram, pushpam and Modakam Maala Alankaram, while the devotees watched the divine offerings. As the curtain covering the Lord after Alankaram was lifted, the beautiful silver Kireetam and gold Tripunra were placed on the Lord, leaving everyone gathered awed by the beauty and magnificence of the Lord.
Various chants and Nayanar songs from Shaiva literature for the Lord were also recited by the purohits, along with the rendering of Maha Ganapathim in ragam Nattai from the bhajan group.
The Uthsava Murthy of Lord Ganapathi was taken on a palanquin, sheltered by an umbrella, around the ashram and the ashram temple in a procession. Accompanied with traditional orchestra tunes Mallaari from the Tavil-Naadaswaram-Saxophone ensemble, Vedic rites from the purohits and devotional bhajans from the devotees all in divine harmony with each other, Lord Mahaganapati was swayed around on the palanquin.
The programme concluded with the felicitation of the priests, followed by bhajans and mangala aarthi.
