CHICAGO: Celebration of Rama Navmi at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) was a grand eleven days affair as per tradition. It started on the day of Ugadi with the narration of Sundarakanda Parayanam and culminating on Sunday April 21 with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam and Rajata Hanuman Seva.
Sri Rama Navmi day activities began Friday, April 19 and during the Alankaram, “Gaana Sudha” group of temple devotees chanted Vishnu Sahasranamam and offered Sri Rama Bhajans. Later in the evening Choornothsavam was celebrated where Sumangalis crushed fresh turmeric. In preparation for the Kalyanothsavam on the next day Sri Rama was decorated with the freshly crushed turmeric and Tulsi.
The day’s events concluded with garland exchange between Sri Rama and Sri Sita Devi. Priya Sisters’ concert in the evening was enjoyed by over 450 music lovers. Also, live Nadaswaram by P. Sithiravel and Shanmugha Sundaram from Friday to Sunday gave the Ramanavami celebrations a classical ceremonial touch.
The packed events of Saturday started early with Sri Rama Suprabhatam. After Vishnu Saharanama and Stotras chanting by Bhajan group, the large group of followers were treated to a melodious rendition of Sri Rama Krithis by Shankar Jagadeesa Iyer, Sahana Iyer, Anjana Narasimhan (violin) and Vishwak Kumaran (mridangam).
The grand three hour Kalyanam thrilled over 1,500 devotees. Kalyanothsava Nrityopacharam was offered by Amuktha Samudrala and Parvati Achari.
Nrityopacharam was also performed by dance teachers Srivani Vokkarane, Pragnya Yogesh, Vidya Pandikaran and their students in Kuchupudi and Bharatnatyam styles. The events were concluded by beautiful special Ekantha Seva by young artistic students of Natya Dance Theater.
Sunday’s Suprabhatam was followed by Sudarshana Homam for the good and well-being of the community. The two hour long Homam was witnessed by over 200 devotees who were very happy to receive Samprokshanam of the sanctified water and Yagna Raksha. The temple president acknowledged the selfless efforts of hundreds of volunteers that contributed to the execution of this eleven day Uthsavam at HTGC. All the devotees after the delicious Pattabhisheka Bhojan returned for Rajata Hanuman Vaahana Seva and the concluding Aarati.
Arvind Patel
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