ST LOUIS: The Hindu Temple of St. Louis also had Prana Prathista Mahotsavam for Sri Kanyaka Paramesweri and Sri Anjaneya that started on Thursday June 5 at 6 pm, with a short meditation period in the beautifully decorated Yaga Shala.
Inaugural Blessings were then given by both Swami Chetanananda of the St. Louis Vedanta Center and Swami Paripoornananda of Sri Peetham, Andhra. The temple priests then performed Ganesha Puja. It was followed by Punyahavachanam, Deekshadharanam and Rutvikgvarana preceded the Pancha Gavya Prasana, a purification ritual of the priests with five things provided by the sacred cow – urine, dung, clarified butter-ghee, milk and yogurt-dahi. Rakshogna Homam, which is the ritualistic invocation of Agni, to ward of Rakhshasa (evil) Swabhavas of all of the devotees present, ended this initial day’s program.
Day 2, Friday, June 6, started with the mandatory Ganesha Puja, Punyahavachanam and continued with Chathusthannarchana. Adhivasaa Homam in which the idols were purified with Bimba Suddhi was performed Swami Paripoornananda gave a lecture on Hindu Dharma before the evening rituals.
On the third day, Saturday, June 7 morning, Ganesha Puja, Punyahavachanam, Chathusthaanarchana, and then Nitya homam were performed. Shilpis followed by devotees placed Navaratna and Pancha Lohas on the holy Yantras which are placed in the pedestals of the shrines of Kanayaka Parameswari, Anjaneya and Navagraha in a ritualistic Ratnayasam. In a Maha Kumbha Pradhakshanam, Pradhana Kalasas were carried on the priests’ heads into the temple followed by the devotees. Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the newly installed deity in each shrine was with the water brought in the kalasa by the devotees.
The grand Prana Prathista of Sri Kanayaka Parameswari, Anjaneya, Navagrahas, and Durga Utsava Moorthi, concluded with a feastly Banthi Bhojanam for about 1800 devotees served on banana leaves by prasadam volunteers.
In the afternoon, Sundara Kand Parayan in front of Anjaneya Shrine was followed by a wonderful Bhajan/Dance program on Kanyaka Parameswari Devi. Swami Paripoornanada lecture gave a lecture on ‘How to live as a Hindu in modern time’. The evening’s main event of Sri Siva Parvati Kalyanam was performed for the Shanti of one and all and for the temple. It was witnessed by several hundreds of devotees who were then given the traditional teertha prasadam.
On Sunday, June 8 devotees participated in special pujas of Kanyaka Parameswari with the recitation of Sri Vasavi Sahasra Namam, and Sri Veeranjaneya shrine with the traditional Aaku, betel leaves, and with Vada mala. The morning program ended with a Vote of Thanks, and presentation of Sambhavana, shawls and temple medallions to the Sthapati, shilpis, priests, donors, and the main volunteers in the various subcommittees of the Prana Prathista Mahotsavam.
Once again, prasadam was provided to about 2000 devotees on banana leaves in a banthi bhojanam with many specially prepared food delicacies.
The afternoon started with dance program on Lord Ayyappa, and followed by Swami Paripoornananda’s lecture on caste system’s origins and significance. Teertha Prasadam formally concluded the entire consecration event. The Prana Prathista Mahotsavama turned out to be a memorable, unique, once in a lifetime ‘experience the divine energy’ event in St. Louis Missouri.
Rao Ayyagari
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