Ragavan Rengachariar
Auckland, November 23, 2018
A group of Auckland devotees were treated to a special discourse on Sri Manavala Mamunigal (Saint Acharyan) and on Sri Aandal Thirukalyanam (Celestial Wedding) on the eve of impending departure of Acharyan U Ve Pandurangan Narasimhan Swamy, who was until recently the Chief Priest at Hamilton Balaji temple.
Sri Aandal Thirukalyanam
Editor’s Note: Indian Newslink will write about Temples and Priests in due course.
Following the completion of his term at the Balaji Temple, Pandurangan Swamy is staying in Auckland at the request of devotees to perform special Poojas such as Sri Sudarsana Havan, Navaragraha Havan and Havan for overall peace and well-being.
On November 11, 2018, he conducted Sri Sudarsana Havan at the house of a devotee in the morning, followed by a special discourse at the residence of this writer in the evening.
The discourse was to mark the birth anniversary of Sri Manavala Mamunigal.
About Manavala Manunigal
With his inimitable way of rendition, Swamy pointed out that Manavala Mamunigal’s appearance on earth as an Acharyan was to complement the birth of Acharyan Udayavar Sri Ramanujar.
While Sri Ramanuja lived for only 120 years (instead of the ordained 200 years), Sri Manavala Mamunigal lived for 80 years and completed all the scripture work started by Sri Ramanujar.
About Aandal Thirukalyanam
Swamy told the special audience of about 50 people that Aandal was the Avatar of Goddess Mahalakshmi and enunciated the importance of ‘Saranagadhi’ (total surrender) as the only way to attain salvation.
Aandal was given in marriage to Lord Ranganatha by her foster-father Vishnu Chittar (also known as Periyalvar); She then merged with the Main Deity at the Srirangam Temple.
The deities of Aandal and Krishna were decorated and after special prayers and recitals, the Celestial Wedding of Aandal and Ranganatha was celebrated.
Honour Conferred
Pandurangan Swamy honoured
This writer and his wife Alamelu honoured Swamy with the ‘Pravachan Ratnam’ title (on behalf of RAMS Charitable Foundation, of which they are the Trustees), in recognition of his excellent way of rendering discourses.
Ragavan Rengachariar writes on Hinduism and Hindu festivals in Indian Newslink.
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(Pictures Supplied)
