Govindapuram!! The abode of Lord Panduranga!! Though there are several temples built for Lord Panduranga, this one is unique. This is the biggest temple built by Shri Shri Vittaldas Maharaj for Lord Pandurang in the entire world. This temple allows people from all castes and religions to enter the sanctum sanctorum and touch the Lord and Thaayar's feet. The 132 foot tower, the ardha mandapam, shayana mandapam, the sprawling vasantha mandapam and the huge mahadwar (entrance) are an awesome sight. The entire temple is airconditioned. One gets a cooling and of course! soothing feeling as they enter the temple. One can see the benevolence flowing from the Lord and Thaayar. The Maha Kumbabishekam (consecration) of the temple happened on July 15 2011 (exactly a year before). More about the temple later.
Last month, (as per Hindu calendar), the temple completed a year on the Guru Poornima day. A Maha Saamrajya Pattabishekam (crowning the Lord as the Supreme Emperor of His Abode) was performed following the traditions of Shri Rama Pattabishekam mentioned in. This is again a very unique activitiy as very few have conducted the Maha Saamrajya Pattabishekam in the past. It is believed that the last one was done about 25 - 30 years ago by Maha Periyava of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt.
The event saw Veda Paarayanam by hundreds of Pundits from across the country covering all four Vedas, which included 10 Sakas. Raamayana Paarayanam (chanting of Ramayan verses) was done by 108 pundits. This again was unique as all the Ramayanas written until todate (Valmiki, Thulsi Das, Kambar, A malayalam version) have been chanted. The walls of the shrine were sanctified by the echos of the Vedic and Raamayana chats. Water from many sacred rivers and three oceans have been brought for the sacred bath of the Lord and Thaayar for the pattabhishekam.
Anna Dhanam (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) was provided to whoever visited the shrine for full 10 days. Nothing would please the Lord than providing food to people. The last day of the Utsavam saw the Celestial Wedding of the Lord and Thaayar and ended with the Vasanthothsavam (bhajans through out the night and decoration of the entire sanctum sanctorum with flowers of various colours and scents).
Those who were able to attend this or watched the events thru web or heard about the events are all blessed by Lord Pandurangan and Rukmini Thaayar.
Radhe Krishna!!
Last month, (as per Hindu calendar), the temple completed a year on the Guru Poornima day. A Maha Saamrajya Pattabishekam (crowning the Lord as the Supreme Emperor of His Abode) was performed following the traditions of Shri Rama Pattabishekam mentioned in. This is again a very unique activitiy as very few have conducted the Maha Saamrajya Pattabishekam in the past. It is believed that the last one was done about 25 - 30 years ago by Maha Periyava of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt.
The event saw Veda Paarayanam by hundreds of Pundits from across the country covering all four Vedas, which included 10 Sakas. Raamayana Paarayanam (chanting of Ramayan verses) was done by 108 pundits. This again was unique as all the Ramayanas written until todate (Valmiki, Thulsi Das, Kambar, A malayalam version) have been chanted. The walls of the shrine were sanctified by the echos of the Vedic and Raamayana chats. Water from many sacred rivers and three oceans have been brought for the sacred bath of the Lord and Thaayar for the pattabhishekam.
Anna Dhanam (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) was provided to whoever visited the shrine for full 10 days. Nothing would please the Lord than providing food to people. The last day of the Utsavam saw the Celestial Wedding of the Lord and Thaayar and ended with the Vasanthothsavam (bhajans through out the night and decoration of the entire sanctum sanctorum with flowers of various colours and scents).
Those who were able to attend this or watched the events thru web or heard about the events are all blessed by Lord Pandurangan and Rukmini Thaayar.
Radhe Krishna!!
