Questions about Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam held in Singapore

A reader of this blog has posted several questions and here is my reply.

Since the question involves Tirumala Tirupathi Divyadesam, let me take some time to explain some of the temple practices. Panchamurthi or Pancha Bera Vidhana Aradhanam is followed in Tirumala. What this means in layman terms is that 5 different idols of Sri Venkateswara Perumal are worshiped . 

• The first is Moolavar or Moola Beram which is Sri Venkateswara Perumal. This is the only deity which is unremovable from the Garbagraham.
• Second is the Kautuka Beram who is Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Moorthi
• Third is the Utsava Beram or Utsavar, Sri Malayappa Swamy
• Fourth is the Snapana Beram , Sri Ugra Srinivasa Moorthi
• And fifth is the Bali Beram, Sri Koluvu Srinivasa Moorthi

Apart from these 5 deities that I have mentioned, there are other deities like Sri Ramar Parivaaram, Krishnan, Garudan, Visvasehanan which used during special utsavams. However Utsavar- Sri Malayappa Swamy (With Sri Devi and Bhu Devi) is the one who presides over all the utsavams in Tirumala.

Here is a picture of Tirumala  Utsavar Sri Malayappa Swami (Picture A). The insignia that HE wears is very unique. None of the other 106 divyadesam Utsavar has a Thiruman Kaapu like his. 

Picture A – Tirumala Utsavar Sri Malayappa Swami

 

Picture B – The idol of Sri Srinivasa Perumal used by TTD to conduct Srinivasa Thirukalyanam in various parts of India like Chennai, Bangalore, etc.

Picture B

 

Picture C – This is the Idol of  Sri Srinivasa Perumal that was brought to Singapore for the Srinivasa Thirukalyanam by TTD.

Picture C

From the above pictures,  you can see that the Sri Srinivasa Perumal deity (together with Sri Devi & Bhu Devi) that was used for the Thirukalyanam in India (Chennai, Bangalore, etc) was not the one that came to Singapore. And it is certanly not the Tirumala Malayappa Swami utsavar of Tirupathi. There is no way anyone can dispute this after seeing these pictures.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Narayana Narayana!

Photos of Sri Venkateswara Thiru Kalyanam in Chennai

Earlier this year, on 6th April 2008, the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) arranged a Kalyana Utsavam in Chennai. The grand 1 day event took place at the Island grounds. Sri U Ve Velukkudi Krishnan gave a running commentary of the proceedings in Tamil while the Thirukalyanam was being conducted.

The following photographs are screen captured from the Thiru Kalyanam VCD. I hope you enjoy them.

Narayna Narayana!

To continue or not to continue?

Earlier today, someone posted a comment on this blog. The comment says :

“May I suggest you dont waste your time analysing the event and giving your snide remarks about the functions. You tried to discredit the temple management committee in your first blog posting with some sarcastic remarks about the whole event. it has failed. more than 30 thousand people attended the events. of course there are always ups and downs in organising a major event like this. but the last thing singapore hindus want to see or hear from you or from your blog are stupid analysis like as if you are the only one who knows how vaikanasam should be practised in this country. so my advice to you- buzz off and lay off”

I would like to inform all my readers that the updates I have provided so far are factual. My intention is not to put down anyone; I merely want to present the facts to the readers of this blog. My readers can then decide for themselves and make an informed decision.

I am not a Vaikanasa priest but I know how vaikanasa practices should be upheld. My knowledge comes from my many years of being part of all this temple’s activities. All the previous chief priests and other priests of SSPT will also attest to this. I’ve been an ardent devotee and volunteer of Sri Srinivasa Perumal since the age of 5 and so I know just about everything about Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.

As such, dear readers, I shall continue posting updates on SSPT’s utsavams and rituals etc as and when there is a need to. You can trust that whatever I write on my blog is based on facts and sound vaikanasa principles. I’ll leave you to decide if you wish to accept or reject the information.

Narayana Narayana!

(Update #5) Sri Venkateswara Thiru Kalyaana Mahotsavam in Singapore

I did not get a chance to take many pictures today as I was busy helping out with the anathanam.  However, I did take a few good shots of Perumal. This was the same alangaram that Perumal was in the previous day (Thiru Kalyaanam day). So, for those who would like to have these photos, you may download them.

In the coming weeks, I will share my views about this Thiru Kalyaanam. It will be up to you to agree or disagree with me. Either way, I will share my thoughts and points to ponder with you.

Narayana Narayana!

(Update #4) Sri Venkateswara Thiru Kalyaana Mahotsavam in Singapore

As I hadpredicted earlier, the crowd was over whelming and the tentage that they had erected was not able to contain the devotees. There must have been  at least 100 over barricades all around the tentage to contain the crowd and it did annoy the devotees quite a bit. I was not able to take some good photograps but I hope to get some later today (20th July).

The anathanam will start around 10am or so and this will be served behind the PGP Kalyana Mantabam. Since the space that the temple has allocated is very little, I am sure it is going to be a challenge again to server the  food.

Here are the photographs taken during during the Thirukalyaanam. If you have taken better pictures, please let me know so that I can share it on this blog.

Narayana Narayana!

(Update #3) Sri Venkateswara Thiru Kalayaana Mahotsavam in Singapore

Here are the pictures of day 2 of the Thiru Kalayaana Mahotsavam. Today, the various Hindu temples in Singapore came to offer the varisai to Srinivasa Perumal.

Tomorrow, 19th July – Saturday, the Thiru Kalayaana will start from 5PM onwards.

Narayana Narayana!

(Update #2) Sri Venkateswara Thiru Kalayaana Mahotsavam in Singapore

The Kalayaana utsavars from TTD are here in Singapore. Sri Srinivasa Perumal along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi arrived Singapore at about 9am this morning by flight. 

In today’s function, the Kalayana utsavars were brought around Serangoon road on the Silver chariot and then ceremoniously brought into Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. I have taken alot of photographs and they have been uploaded for your viewing pleasure. Due to time constraints, I will follow up on the captions for the various photograps once the Thiru Kalayanam is over.

I will be providing more updates and pictures over the next 2 days. Stay tunned..

Narayana Narayana!

Dakshinayana Punyakalam Starts Today

The month of Aadi starts today. The fourth month in Tamil Calendar is considered as inauspicious by many. The start of this month is known as Dakshinayana Punyakalam or the night time of Gods. As such auspicious and important undertakings like Kumbabishegam, ground breaking ceremonies etc are not done in temples.

The first major Vaishnava festival which will take place during this month of Aadi will be Thiru-Aadi Pooram (Birth star of Sri Andal) and will be celebrated on 4.8.08 in Singapore.

Read more about Uttarayanam & Dakshinayanam here.

Narayana Narayana

Thiruvahindrapuram Samprokshanam Photo Gallery

Here’s the photos taken during the Samprokshnam of Sri ManavalaMamunigal held in Thiruvahindrapuram. Thanks to Gopal for proving these pictures.

Narayana Narayana

Introducing shanthiraju.wordpress.com

An excellent blog that covers temples in India. Please visit this blog as it is very informative.

Thanks to Rajendran Ganesan who has put up this blog.

Narayana Narayana!