BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, May 7, 2018: Anantaadi Rayara Matha (RAMA) celebrated Narasimha Jayanti and Raayara Paaduka Pooja on April 28, 2018 with much pomp and fanfare at the Ivy League Academy, with over 200 devotees gathering to offer their prayers. Various cultural programs including singing performances, dance presentations, tabla performance, gadya recital and a fancy-dress parade for kids dressed up as mythological characters entertained the audience.
Observed on the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in Vishakh month, Narashimha Jayanti, dedicated to Lord Vishnu celebrates his fourth Avatar on earth as ‘Narasimha’ (half-man, half-lion form). It is believed that on the twilight of this day, Lord Narashimha killed demon Hiranyakashipu. In keeping with the legend of Narasimha Jayanti, the pooja is performed during the evening hours, just after sunset.
“We are happy to share that we have received Memorandum of Understanding from Mantralaya, India per our request. We are working on it to finalize the work. We will be starting our regular Pooja every Saturday at Ivy League academy on Peachtree parkway in Cumming. All are welcome to join,” said Pradeep Vittalmurthy, chair of trustees, inviting everyone to join the prayers every week.
The daylong event started with Rayara Paaduka Pooja, with chanting of Ragahvendra Swamy Shlokas, mantras and devotional hymns by devotees in the background. Cultural programs presented by several organizations including Global organization for divinity, Bharata Darshana School of Indian classical Dance and Music, Param Shekar academy and individual devotees rendered Mariveredhikkeveraiyya Rama, natanala, Narayanam Bhaje, Sreeman Narayana and danced to tunes of Krishna Nee Begane Baro, Narasimha Kautvam, Aayar Cheriyar, Jaya Jaya Janakiramana, SriRamachandra & Shabari with Gadya recital by Sowmya Vamseekrishna and Tabla presentation by Shiv Prasad. The Narasimha Jayanti pooja backed with Shlokas of the deity, was performed in the evening, as per tradition.
“We are thankful to Smt. Hemal & Venkat for sponsoring the event. We are also thankful to all the volunteers who tirelessly worked hard to put this event together. Our heartfelt wishes to Smt. Savita & Sri. Sabari from Global organization for divinity, Guru Soujanya Madhusudhan from Bharata Darshana Indian classical academy, Sri. Shivprasad Kotagal from Param Shekar academy & all the participants & parents for taking us to a divine world. We would also like to thank Raju Kotak from Wownow, Jyothsna Hegde from NRI Pulse, Anjali Chhabria from TV Asia and Praveen Puram for the media coverage,” said Vittalmurthy.”
RAMA has some exciting events lined up, including a devotional concert by the popular Sri. Vidyabhushana on June 10th. You may call 404-939-2833 for more information about the event and weekly poojas.
