On the 4th of September, 2017, Sri Hayagreeva Jayanthi was celebrated well at Sri Ranganatha Temple, Pomona. On this occasion, Satrumurai took place at the main sannidhi where Ranganatha lies reclining watching the drama going on in the Universe. Sannidhi Satrumurai was on and ended with “Sathakopamamunigale unnum oru nutranda irum”. 44th, 45th and 46th Srimadh Azhaghiasingar’s smiled benignly from the photos reminding us that ‘Adivan Sathakopa Jeer’s mission was spreading every day. After theertham, Srisathari and dried fruit prasadam the aradhakar swami did archana and gave us oranges as prasadam. The temple follows ‘yatha sakthi’ concept and donations are voluntary whether it is an archana or kalyana utsavam.
From the main sannidhi we went to Srinivasa Perumal sannidhi where ‘Tirumanjanam’ took place for Moolavar, utsavar and Sri LakshmiHayagrivar. It being ‘Hayagriva Jayanthi’ the crowds were swelling and parents came with their kids holding fruit offerings, notebooks and pens. At the basement devotees were having their fill of prasadams. When we went there was ven pongal, sakkarai pongal and curd rice. The temple follows the policy of supplying continuous prasadams throughout the day and for free. Those who want can offer their mite in the donation box but it is not compulsory. The quality of prasadam was first class and this tradition is followed because the founder of the temple ‘Mukkur Srimad Azhaghiasingar’ could not bear to see any one hungry. Prasadam (any amount) can be packed for home. The Madapalli team keep replenishing the prasadams and deserve praise.
To come back to the Tirumanjanam it was done accompanied by Suktham recitals and prabhandham anusandhanam. Before the curtain was drawn for alankaram we got ‘Theertham, Srisathari and dry fruits prasadam. ‘After alankaram Lakshmi Hayagriva was taken to the yagaa sala where Hayagriva homam was done in the prescribed manner. After poornahuti aradhakar swami asked all the kids assembled to repeat important verses from Swami Desikan’s Hayagriva Stotram. Hayagriva bestows knowledge of all kinds and helps us to measure our words and talk properly without hurting people. This is called ahimsa. He gives us ‘Vidhya’ accompanied by ‘Vinaya’. Even as the archana was starting we left the temple our mind filled with the day’s happenings and a grateful stomach filled with satvika prasadam.
The following are some of the related photographs…
Courtesy: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan and Sri Sundararajan
