57th Birthday Celebrations of Sri Swamiji, 18 Jun 1999
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At 7 am Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at Nada Mantapam. The rituals at Garuda Mantapam started at 8 am. Today being the first day of the ceremonies, the ancient ritual of generating fire from churning from the ARANI sticks commenced. As the priests chanted AGNI SUKTAM, the octogenarian High Priest, Ananta Padmanabhacharya held the main stick as two priests churned the stick. The sticks reacted to the friction and sparks flew as DARBHA (Kusha) grass was placed around. Flame erupted. The fire was blessed by Pujya Swamiji. Thereafter the priests commenced the various rituals in connection with the temple inauguration.
Meanwhile a press conference was conducted in the Garuda Mantapam.
The beautiful facade to the entrance of the Temple from the main road
Sri
Swamiji giving the Diksha Kankana (Armlet) and Diksha Vastra (ritual clothes)
to the priests
who will conduct the rituals of inauguration
The
High Priest of the rituals, Sri Ananta Padmanabha Acharya churning fire
out of
ARANI
The
churned fire is carefully preserved.
Pujya
Sri Swamiji blessing the fire churned out
After
the press conference Sri Swamiji showing the idols to the press reporters
and photographers
Sri
Anantha Padmanabha Charya showing the Yantras to Pujya Sri Swamiji
Ankuraropanam
(sacred plants-seed sowing ceremony)
A
Bhagavatha story singing troupe from Acharpakkam singing the glory of
Lord Venkateswara.
Sri
Swamiji standing near the Maha Dwaram (main entrance) of the Temple Birthday
-1999 Main Page