Hindus have a unique passion in their demonstration of Bhakti (piety) – they wish to celebrate the wedding of their favourite Gods and Goddesses, bringing together in the process, hundreds of families into a religious hold.
Among the most popular ‘Divine Weddings’ are ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’ (Wedding of Lord Venkateswara with Padmavathi) and ‘Sri Rama Kalyanam’ (Wedding of Lord Rama with Sita). Both invoke the Blessings of Lord Vishnu (as they are his Avatars) and excite men, women and children.
Shirdi Saibaba Temple of New Zealand, which had successful experience of the former on November 28, 2010 at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, appeased devotees of Sri Ram on April 10 with ‘Sita Ram Vivahotsav’ (Sita Rama Wedding) at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Mt Eden.
Organisation Secretary Ravi Chittajallu said the ‘Wedding’ was the first of its type to be held in New Zealand.
“Commencing with the Abhisheka’ of Shirdi Saibaba with the participation of more than 100 devotees, the day-long event was full of prayers, colours, costumes and soul-filling peace and satisfaction.
“The main event involved the arrival of ‘Bridegroom Lord Rama’ and ‘Bride Sita’ in palanquins carried by devotees to the Kalyan Mantap. The wedding rituals were performed by Pandits Ajay Tiwari and Nityanand Sundar,” he said.
Mr Chittajallu said the organisers followed the customs and traditions of a Hindu wedding, which included the appropriate adornment of the bride and the groom with costumes and jewellery, recitation of the Mantras, Kanyadan (‘Giving away’ of the bride in marriage), tying the Mangal Sutra (the wedding knot), Divyarthi and Hawan (Yagna or Divine Offering).
“We were blessed not only by the Divine Presence of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita but also by the Auckland community. The ‘Sita Ram Vivahotsav’ was indubitably a great success, encouraging us to do more,” he said.
The photographs of the event can be accessed online www.saibabatemple.org.nz
For further information, contact Ravi Chittajallu on (09)8453239.
