CHICAGO: A two-day celebration of Ram Vivah – a unique event conceptualized by Temple priest Pundit Anil Joshi, on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 attracted a large number of devotees from far and wide in Chicagoland area. It turned out to be a big success.
The temple makes an effort to bring all Indian communities on one platform by celebrating different religious and cultural events. In this development, Shri Ram Janaki Vivah was celebrated by both South and North Indian communities as Kanya and Var Paksh respectively.
On Saturday evening, there was Mehndi Rasam with temple priest Joshi conducting the poojan of Mangali Patrika and blessing Ram Janaki Mehendi. More than one hundred ladies enjoyed Mehendi with singing of traditional Mehendi songs and bhajans. There after all devotees relished delicious snacks and tea.
Geetha (Godavari) Patil and Vandana Jhingan had pitched for doing things in a traditional way. Sangeeta and Shammi Dhall brought Shri Ram Baraat on December 8 by 3 pm at the Vivah Sthal – Hindu Mandir of Lake County with their bandhu, bandhva and parivar. All devotees decked with South and North traditional dresses and men with special turbans enjoyed Shri Ram Baraat by dancing to tunes of traditional drums, dolls and bells. Baraat poojan was performed by temple priest and it was welcomed by Kanya Paksh with beautifully decorated Kalashams and exchange of Uttariyas.
Temple priests Pt. Anil Joshi and Pt Ganesh performed this Vivah in the Hindu traditional Vaidic way which comprises Var Poojan, Hastamilap, Jayamala, Kanyadan, Gotrachar, Agni Phera, Mangala Sutra and Sindoor offering. The entire Vivah Utsav was based on directions in Shri Ram Charitra Manas.
Gouri Poojan was carried out by Janakdulari by singing Jai Jai Mahishshura Mardhini Stotra. Dazzling Shiva Dhanush was broken by young children as one of the attraction of the Vivah Utsav. Sapta Agni Pradakshan was performed by both side sponsors holding Shri Ram and Janaki one by one.
Blessings and Phere songs were sung by Pt. Joshi. Devotional songs, bhajans and Stotras were also sung by Atwal, Ajay Ghai, Vishvanathan and Rita Patel in between the Vivah steps which made the shrine fill with spirituality.
Pt. Anil Joshi explained the importance of Shri Ram Janaki Vivah in the present times. He said that Shri Ram symbolizes ‘Gyan’ and Ma Janaki signifies ‘Bhakti’. Gyan is incomplete unless it merges with Bhakti. Shiva Dhanush denotes ‘ego’. Without winning over ego Gyan cannot merge with Bhakti. That is why Shiva Dhanush was broken by Ram first and then only he could marry Janaki.
He further enlightened the devotees by saying that Lord Ram underwent three ways of marriages such as Gandharv Vivah (love marriage) was performed at Pushpa Vatika of Janakpuri when Shri Ram Janaki saw each other.
Vaidic Vivah was done in the presence of Raja Janak and Dashrath with their Kul Gurus, and Vachanadhin (swayamvar) Vivah was executed by breaking Shiva Dhanush without any obstacles. King Janak kept his word and gave his beautiful daughter’s hand in marriage to the Prince from Ayodhya, who was the only one rising to the challenge set by him.
Pt. Joshi also said that Shri Ram played a significant role of building a cordial bridge between Raja Janak and Raja Dashrath as both were supreme powers but never mingled with each other. When Tamsik powers were expanding that time the union of Satvik powers was necessary. This Vivah became successful in bringing scattered powers together and established a firm foundation of Dharma and also became a model to mankind to follow the principles of Shri Ram and Janaki in every aspect of life.
He further said that each and every phase of Shri Ram’s life speaks of a lesson in Sanatan Dharma. By celebrating Shri Ram Janaki Vivah or Vivah Panchami Utsav as the marriage anniversary of Lord Rama and Ma Sita we not only remember his principles but also try to follow them in our life.
Archana, Bhoga and Aarti were performed by both priests and finally Janaki Doli Bidai was carried out with heartrending hearts. A touching Bidai song sung by Pt. Anil Joshi made everyone emotional. He also blessed and thanked all the sponsors from Kanya and Var Paksh, food sponsors namely Mousim Bhai, Desi Needs, Gurnee; Guru, Aroma restaurant; Sanjay Bhandari, Peacock restaurant; and Mikky, Spice Bazaar from the City of Vernon Hills for their kind contribution to the temple community, and dedicated volunteers for helping out to make this Vivah Utsav a grand success.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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