Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Jayanthi
Phalguna sukla Sapthami is celebrated as Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Theerthara Jayanthi (Vardhanthi) the day Kaamadhenu, Kalpavruksha, Parimalaacharya,
Guru Saarvabhouma, Poojyaaya, Sri Raghavendra swamy of Mantralayam was born. Special
celebrations are held every year at Mantralayam on this occasion. Popularly and affectionately
called as Sri Raayaru was born in Manmatha Naama Samvatsara, Phalguna masa,
sukla Sapthami (7th day of the bright fortnight) on Thursday in the
constellation of Mrigasira in the year 1595 at Bhuvanagiri near Chidambaram in
Tamilnadu. Sri Raghavendra Swamy was born in the Divine lineage of Sri Shankukarna, Sri Prahlada,
Sri Baahlika and Sri Vyaasaraajaru.
Venkatanatha (poorvaashrama naama of Sri Raghavendra Swamy) was born to Sri Thimmana Bhatta and Smt. Gopikaamba in Goutama Gothra in the family (manetana) of Powsthika Vamsada Beegamudre. It is incidental that H.H. Sri Sushameendra Theertharu the immediate past Pontiff of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt was also born in the same lineage. Sri Raayara Vidya Guru and from whom he took his Sanyaasa deeksha was Sri Sudheendra Theertharu. Sri Raghavendra Swamy lived from 1595 AD to 1671 AD and made Sajeeva Brundavana Pravesha at Mantralayam the seat of His Moola Brundavana.
There are indications in the life history of Saint Sri Raghavendra Swamy that he was of Prahlada’s avathara. Generally we find in Sri Raghavendra Swamy temples, utsava muurthi (procession deity) will not be that of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, but it will be of Bhakta Prahlada. Main deity (Sri Raghavendra Swamy) will be a replica of his samadhi called Brindavana and Sri Prahlada will also be worshiped simultaneously along with Sri Raghavendra Swamy. As a rarity we find Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Raayaru) in moorthi (image) form at Nanjanagudu Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt near Mysore.
Sri Raghavendra Theertharu is also called as Prahlada Rayaru and some of the rituals in Sri Raghavendra Swamy temple are performed exclusively to Prahlada. Perhaps this may the only place where Prahlada is worshiped. Apart from this we also find from the life history of Sri Raghavendra Theertharu that he had chosen this specific spot at Mantralayam for his entry into Brindavana since it was the sacred spot where Prahlada had performed Yajna during his time.
My words are inadequate and it is beyond my capacity to describe Sri Raayaru. I can only offer my humble and sincere salutations to Him by making a simple Pradakshina Namaskara and chanting his ashtaakshari manthra Om! Sri Raaghavendraaya Namah!. He can be understood only when one believes him and experience his compassion through his worship.
Raaghavendra Raaghavendra Raaghavendra Paahimaam
Raaghavendra Raaghavendra Raaghavendra Rakshamaam
Om! Sri Raaghavendraya Namaha
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
PS
Above rare artistic portraits of Sri Raghavendra Swamy ...
(courtesy from a Kannada magazine published in 2007)
Related posts on Sri Raaghavendra Swamy...
(please click on the links given below...)
PS
Above rare artistic portraits of Sri Raghavendra Swamy ...
(courtesy from a Kannada magazine published in 2007)
Related posts on Sri Raaghavendra Swamy...
(please click on the links given below...)
Namaskaras,
ReplyDeleteGreetings and Best Wishes to you and your family.
Happy Guru Poornima day.
Namaskaras,
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to do three day pooja to Raghavendraswamy. Since there are no temples nearby, I've a small pic and also an idol of Raghavendraswamy. So, will do abhishekams, pradakshinam to the idol itself. How many pradakshina should I make? Also planning to eat one time meal and at night some light tiffin like idlis, dosa, vada, upma etc.
I read somewhere that we should keep a coconut when we start pooja and on third or fourth day the coconut should be offered to god. Actually, it is not possible to find coconuts with pony-tail. We should not offer coconut without ponytail, Is that true? The coconuts are also not good here, they become rotten in just a day or so. Daily I cannot offer and eat coconut because I'm allergic to coconut kernel, and also don't like to share with friends. So, my question is can I do the pooja excluding coconut. I will offer it on the third day when I finish my vrat.
Please let me know on raghavendra puja and which day to start? I got memorized poornabodha guru stotram.
What is the naivedyam to be offered? I read somewhere that dal chutney is fav of Raghavendra. Is it the same chutney we make for idlis with roasted chana dal and coconut? Can I use ginger during vrat?
Sorry for asking many questions.
Thanks in advance.
God bless you and Have a wonderful weekend!
Namaskaara,
DeleteTo obtain Sri Rayaru’s grace, it is enough if one performs devout service at one’s home by going around Rayaru’s picture while reciting Sri Raaghavendra Stothra. Even reciting “Sri Raaghavendraaya namah” with intense devotion is good enough to obtain his total grace.
You can start on any Thursday;daily morning and evening perform 5 or 11 (according to your capacity) pradakshinas while reciting "Sri Raaghavendraaya Namaha"
Since it is Chaaturmaasa Vratha(Saakha)currently, you can offer only sugar cyrstals as Naivedya. As far as possible take saatvik food during the austerity period.
Namaskaras,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for making me comfortable to do Raghavendraswamy pooja. It's been long time I'm thinking to do pooja at home, but never got an opportunity. Sure, will start the pooja from this thursday and conclude it on Saturday after performing Venkateswaraswamy Vrat. Thanks for letting me know about sugar crystals. Otherwise I was planning to offer many items like tamarind rice, sweet pongal etc.
God bless you.
Have a wonderful day!