Ragavan Rengachariar
Balaji Temple in Hamilton celebrated the ‘Aani Thirumanjanam’ on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in the presence of a large number of devotees from local Hamilton and Auckland.
‘Thirumanjanam,’ or Holy Bath performed during the Tamil month of ‘Aani’ (and hence the name) is a Special Day for the Main Deity of a Temple.
Lord Sudarshan, the celestial Chakra of Lord Narayana was offered a special Abhishek with turmeric paste and turmeric mixed water.
Sudarshan Havan
The occasion was also used to conduct a special ‘Sudarshan Havan.’
The Special Pooja started in the morning with sponsors of the Havan, with recitals in praise of this Chakra Lord and the traditional prayer verses.
At the end of the Havan, the ‘Purna Ahuthi’ was offered concluding the Havan performed by Chief Priest Pandurangan and Assistant Priest Kishore Simha Bhatt.
The formal Pooja consisted of usual prayers with various verses for Lord Balaji (Sri Venkateswara) and his consorts Goddess Mahalakshmi and Bhu Devi.
The Priests and Scholars recited the Pasurams (poetic verses) of Periayalzhvar, who was one of the very famous twelve ardent devotees of Lord Narayana over the centuries.
Theses recitals were in Tamil and the way in which the renditions were done were reminiscent of the prayers offered at Venkateswara temples in South India.
Special Attributes
Special decorations and floral offerings were made during the special prayers.
Priest Pandurangan, who prepared the Special Prasadam was also noted for the depth of knowledge of the Temple procedures and devotion to the Lord.
The prayers concluded with Maha Mangala Aarthi to the deities.
Then of course all the devotees were treated to the Mahaprasad.
Shri Balaji Temple in Hamilton has grown within a short time with the deities being decorated in the traditional way with sponsorships and the spectacular Crown installed recently (Indian Newslink, May 15, 2018).
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Photo Caption:
Sudarshan Havan in progress
(Picture Supplied)
