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BY SHOBHANA RAGHUPATHI
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta at Riverdale, was the center of spiritual activity during the week of May 24 – 31, 2004 with the dedication of a new Shiva temple and a 12-year anniversary ceremony of re-energizing the existing Venkateswara temple. The Kumbhabhisheka Pushkarotsavam, a 3-day ceremony was performed to re-energize the deities and preserve the sanctity of the temple. The divine cosmic energy was transferred from the deities to the kalasas (Holy vessels) and kept in balalayam (temporary sanctum) on May 6th 2004 and returned to the deities during the Maha Kumbhabhisekam conducted on Wednesday May 26th.
Nadaswaram, drums and continuous chanting accompanied the Shiva Pratishtapana on Saturday May 29th at the new temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The vigraha prathishtapana (installation of deity) was celebrated over five days. To impart divinity to the statues of various deities and sanctify them (bimba suddhi), the prana prathishta process was adopted. The statues were immersed in whole grain, water, milk, flowers, and money to purify them. Yantras (geometric representations of each divinity with inscription of diagrams representing the deity) specially made and blessed by H.H. Jayendrasaraswathi Swamigal and H.H. Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam were further energized by performing pujas, ‘mula mantra japas’, and ‘abhishekams’(forms of prayers) for over 40 days. These yantras were placed at the base of the vigrahas at the time of Prathishtapana (installation). After the invocation to the deities, a Netronmilanam –Opening the eyes ceremony followed. After the auspicious preparations were duly performed the first four days, on the fifth and final day i.e. May 29th all the deities including Ramalingewara; Parvathavardhini; Ganesha ( Varasiddhi Vinayaka); Subramanya and his consorts; Jnana Saraswathi and Kannikaparamewari were finally consecrated at 11:45 AM, the auspicious muhurtham selected by the Sankaracharyas.
H.H. Satguru Bodhinatha Swamy Velyanswami, of Kauai Himalayan Academy Siva Temple, honored guest for the occasion, graced the installation ceremonies and blessed the devotees with daily discourses. Over 800 people attended the ceremonies and the temple committee and volunteers managed the entire event.
Parallel to the Siva Pathistapana ceremonies the annual Brahmotsavam celebrations were also conducted with daily Homas and Utsavas from May 26th to May 31st. On 30th of May, a grand rathotsava was conducted at noon around the temple with over 500 devotees joining in the Vedic chanting, singing, dancing and fireworks. Vasanthotsava marked the final day at noon and Shayanotsava marked the final night. Also, for world peace and prosperity, the priests simultaneously conducted ashtakshari yagam, with daily prayers and fire ceremonies.
During the celebrations, Maha Prasadam was continuously served everyday to all the visitors. The four big celebrations conducted together in an eight-day long activity was the largest celebration in the history of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta.
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