Akshaya Thrithiyai Seetha Kalyana Mahostavam

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Sri Gurubyo Namaha

         A few words about Akshaya Thritiyai bhajanostavam and its celebration at Padi Agraharam Village, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

ஸீதா கல்யாண ராமர்

Akshaya Thrithiyai – an auspicious day:

It is believed and stated by the elders that chanting of Lord's name and following the principles prescribed in Vedas and precious books are the only way to lead life peacefully, calmly and satisfactorily. Also, there is a belief that things we do on Akshaya Thrithiyai or similar punyakaalam days will yield results at a multiple time.

As such, Akshaya Thrithiyai is a function on which day Shri. Seetha Rama Kalyana Mahotsavam is being held in this Village for the past 82 years successfully with the grace of Kanchi Mahaperiva and Lord Shri. Rama.

The Origin and the History:

This Utsavam was started in the year 1942 by the eminent, old, knowledgeable elderly gentleman named Brahmashri. Venkata Subramania Sastrigal, who was fully stuffed and equipped with principles of Vedas and all allied subjects.

Once in 1942, at every year from then followed Shankara Jayanthi festival was used to be celebrated at the village named Kadaladi (which is around 14 kms. east from Padi Agraharam) by the Bhagavathas of Thorapadi village (which is situated in 5 kms. in west from Padi Agraharam). In those days there were no convenient modes of conveyance to Kadaladi from Thorapadi forcing to cover the distance only by walk through Padi Agraharam Village. The veda pandits from Padi Agraharam will also join with the Thorapadi Bhagavathas for the Shankara Jayanthi Utsavam.

On the way to Kadaladi, the Thorapadi Bhagavathas used to visit Padi Agraharam, the said elderly Sastrigal's house. While so in 1942, the bhagavathas and veda pandithas started from Padi Agraharam to Kadaladi, there were down pouring rains forcing them to return to Padi Agraharam to stay that night in the house of that elderly man.

Laksharchanai

On that night (Akshaya Thrithiyai day), Shri. Venkatasubramania Sastrigal appealed to Bhagavathas to give an opportunity to spend the night usefully by celebrating namasankeerthanam. The Bhagavathas also yielded for his appeal immediately and spend the night usefully to his full satisfaction. They did the namasankeerthanam and bhajans on that whole night and proceed to Kadaladi next day morning.

Next year i.e., the year 1943 also while they proceeded to Kadaladi through Padi Agraharam, rain intercepted and compelled the Bhagavathas to halt that night at Padi Agraharam.

They also made similar bhajans as done in the previous year. The elderly gentleman requested or appealed in the year 1943 to please visit every year stay at Padi Agraharam to celebrate Akshaya Thrithiyai festival in a way to please Sri. Lord Rama.

From then, the Akshaya Thrithiyai day, the Utsavam is getting continued till date successfully by His and Her (Lord Rama and Lordess Seetha) grace in a grant manner.

Few years later, on request of old gentleman, the function was extended a day more for performing Akshaya Thrithiyai bhajanai with Vedaparayanam, Laksharchanai and Brahmana Samaradhanai in the presence of assembled bhakthas and audience gathered there. A set of village people (few families) also participated in the Utsavam Kainkaryam.

After the life of the eminent Sastrigal, the function was carry forwarded by his devout sons Shri. Dhandapani Sastrigal, Shri Ramanatha Sastrigal, Shri. Srinivasa Iyer and Shri. Margabandu Sastrigal with their relatives supported by few families of that Village viz., Shri. Natesa Iyer (Manikarar of that Village), Shri. Radhakrishna Iyer (Radha Mama) and Shri. Duraisami Iyer (Durai Iyer) and Thorapadi Bhagavathas. All these celebrations were continued every year at the doorsteps of Shri. Venkatasubramania Sastrigal in memory of him.

Four sons of the Legend Brahmashri. Venkata Subramania Sastrigal:

Shri. Dhandapani Sastrigal

Shri. Ramanatha Sastrigal

Shri. Srinivasa Iyer 

Shri. Margabandu Sastrigal

Being from an Eminent Vaideeha paramparai, Shri. Ramanatha Sastrigal included conduting Seetha Kalyanam in Vaideeha Sampradayam also. Interestingly, from then, the Seetha Kalyana Utsavam continued to be conducted both by way of Bhajanai (Bhagavatha) Sampradayam and by way of Vaidheeka Sampradayam. Thanks to the legend Shri. Ramanatha Sastrigal for the initiatives.

Not only the legend in Vaideeham, but also the legends from Namasankeerthanam had participated and uplifted the Utsavam year on year. With the continued support of Thorapadi Bhagavathas, the utsavam was given colours by Jambavans of Namasankeerthanam viz., Shri. Vinayaka sastrigal, Shri. Krishnamurthy bhagavathar, Shri. T.N. Nagaraja bhagavathar, Shri. Jagadeesa bhagavathar, Kettavarampaalayam bhagavathars, Manaloorpettai Shri. Somu Bhagavathar, Mambalam Shri. Narayana Bhagavathar, Adambakkam Shri. Santhanakrishna Bhagavathar, Vigadam Shri. Balu Bhagavathar, Gemini Shri. Balakrishna Bhagavathar, Tiruvannamalai Bhagavathars, Perumanam Bhagavathars etc.,.

It is also to be noted that Shri. Kanchi Jagadguru Mahaperiyava and Jayendra periyava had visited and blessed this village and had enquired about this Utsavam. Both Periyava had blessed and informed the Village people to continue conducting this Utsavam every year during Akshaya Thrithiyai. 

In late 70’s / early 80’s, Shri. Kamakoti Bhaktha Avathara Bhajan Mandali of West Mambalam lead by Shri. Venkatrama bhagavathar of that village and with big list of bhagavathas joined the Utsavam. Upon their approach, the Utsavam extended the Sampradaya Bhajanai with Bhakthi Vesham viz., Praklada charithram, Guru darisanam, Bhakta Ramadasa Charithram, Kuchelo bhaagyanam, panduranga avatharam… etc., in order to involve and motivate Village People also. It created a lot of enthusiasm with the Village people to actively participate in the bhajanai the whole night on the Akshaya Thrithiyai day.

In addition to the above, a devotional type of bhajans was included at the evening time on the Akshaya Thirithiyai day sung by Shri. Maruthuvakudi Swaminatha Bhagavathar. He was awarded “Innisai Chelvan” and “Sweehara Puthran of that village” for his ardent bhakthi and devotion towards Lord Rama. He continued to visit the village for around 45 consecutive years.

It is indeed to be importantly highlighted here the pure bhakthi and the devotion of all the Veda pandits and Bhagavathas, right from the eminent Sastrigal who started the Utsavam. The struggle they had undergone every year for the Utsavam is simply unimaginable. It is not only the people belonging to that Village but also a huge list of bhagavathas and Vaitheehas from outside the villages had struggled a lot for this Utsavam.

1. No mode of transport to the village – They have to travel around 8 kms. by walk to reach the Village;
2. No electricity was available till certain years and so No light / fan / Mike;
3. No bathroom or toilet;
4. No places to stay – Mostly they have to sleep in the road side or in terrace;
5. They have to prepare the food with old historical village stoves, serve to all the bhagavathas & bhakthas and then do the bhajanai;
6. Since, it is a high hot Summer season, there will be water scarcity at some times;
7. Very meagre Sambhavanai and the conveyance given to them will not even match their actual transport cost.
8. No media or publicity.

It is one and only because of the above sacrifices by the eminent Bhagavathas, Veda pandits and the said families of that Village, the Utsavam has successfully crossed 82 years in the year 2023. 

After the life of Shri. Dhandapani Sastrigal and Shri. Ramanatha Sastrigal, Shri. Margabandu Sastrigal (Sastrigal Mama), the youngest son of Shri. Venkatasubramia Sastrigal, a gentleman possessed with extreme knowledge both in Vedas and astrology continued the Utsavam under his leadership.

The devotion and the involvement by the Sastrigal Mama during the Ustavam, and the Japam and the Poojai he does for the years had further boosted the supreme power in the Utsavam photo of Lord Rama. The Poojai will continue for hours and it is a “கண்கொள்ளா காட்சி” seeing Sastrigal Mama doing poojai to Lord Rama at that Village. 

Deeparathanai

The Third and Fourth generations of the eminent Elderly Sastrigal and all the aforementioned families of that Village are actively participating in the Utsavam every year. It is now the 83^rd year of celebration scheduled on 09 May 2024 to 11 May 2024. Invitation is available in the Invitation tab.

After his life of Sastrigal Mama, since the year 2022, all the Poojai and vaidheeka sampradayam is being lead by his third son Shri. Kumar Sastrigal, who was trained by Sastrigal Mama and has equipped with extreme knowledge on both Vedam and Astrology.

Utsavam Schedule:

Day 1 (the day before the Akshaya Thrithiyai day):

Morning 6.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

The function will commence with Ganapathi Homam, Gho Poojai, Krishna Yajur Veda Samhitha Parayanam, Eka dina Laksharchana (Laksharchana in the same day), Deeparathanai. Mantra pushpam and Prasadam.

From Evening 3 p.m.:

The celebrities’ custom to celebrate with various bhagavathas, the Sampradaya bhajanai as lined by Maruthanallur Poojya Sri Sathguru Swamigal (Thodayamangalam, Guru keerthanam, Astapathi, Panchapathi, Poojai, Dhyanam, Divyanamam and Dolostavam).

Day 2 (the Akshaya Thirthiyai day):

 From Morning 7 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

On the auspicious day, the function will commence with Unchavruthi, and will be continued with Kalyana Astapathy, Seer Konduvaruthal, Muthu Kozhithal, Maalai Maatral, Seetha Kalyana Utsavam (both in bhagavatha sampradayam and Vaideeha sampradayam), Nalangu and Deeparathanai continued with Brahmana samaradhanai and Annadhanam.

From Evening 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Upanyasam by Shri. Gnana Ramanan & family, the elder son of Shri. Dhandapani Sastrigal continued with Vishnu Sahasranama parayananam and devotional namasankeerthanam by leading singers.

From 9.30 p.m. and the whole night:

It will be continued with Sampradaya Bhajanai and Akantta Divyanama sankeerthanam the whole night.

Day 3 (the following day of Akshaya Thrithiyai):

 Lord Seetha Rama will go ahead for Gramapradakshinam with full of veedi bhajanai by bhagavathas. It will run for around 3 hours continued with Anjaneyar Utsavam and Mangalam.

Every year after Akshaya thritiyai bhajan celebration gets completed which was certain and promising there will be at least some drizzling in the evening which we all considered as Lord pleased with our devotion and profession.

On that evening, the function will commence with Vishnu sahasranama parayanam and will be carried on with the whole night Akanda Divyanama bhajanai and dolostavam.

The bhagavathas will go ahead with Veedhi bhajan (Grama Pradakshinam) on the next day morning. The bhajan will conclude with Anjayaneya utsavam by praying Lord Hanuman.

Bhagavathas visited the village:

Other than the bhagavathas mentioned in the list above, many leading and efficient bhagavathas had visited this village and spread namasankeerthanam.

Asthana Bhagavathas:

Many leading and efficient bhagavathas had visited this village / attending this function for spreading namasankeerthanam :-

• Three generations of Thorapadi Bhagavathas and now its fourth generation has started coming 
• Padi Agraharam Swargeeya Sri. Vembu Narayana Bhagavathar
• Padi Agraharam Sri. Neelaganda Bhagavathar
• Padi Agraharam Swargeeya Sri. Venkatrama Bhagavathar 
• Padi Agraharam Sri. Pichumani Bhagavathar   
• Padi Agraharam Sri. Kuppuraj Bhagavathar
• Maruthuvakkudi Swargeeya Sri. Swaminatha Bhagavathar
• West Mambalam Swargeeya Sri. Rama Bhagavathar
• West Mambalam Swargeeya Sri. Balaguru Bhagavathar
• Tiruvannamalai Sri. Sethu Ganesh Bhagavathar
• Tiruvannamalai Swargeeya Sri. Giri Bhagavathar (Dolki)
• West Mambalam Sri. Hariharan Bhagavathar (Bullet Hari) (Mridangam)
• Tiruvannamalai Sri. Prabhu Bhagavathar

Other Eminent Bhagavathas visited the village since 2004:

•      Mayavaram Swargeeya Sri. Vijayan Deekshithar - 2004 to 2006
•      Kumbakonam Sri E.K. Srinivasa bhagavathar - 2004
•      Kovai Sri. Jayarama Bhagavathar - 2009 & 2011
•      Erode Sri. Rajamani Bhagavathar - 2009 & 2010
•      Sirgazhi Sri. Sattanatha Bhagavathar – 2012
•      Mayavaram Sri. Muthukrishna Bhagavathar - 2005 & 2013
•      Kadayanallur Sri. Rajagopal Bhagavathar - 2010
•      Mohanur Sri. Srikanth Koundinya Bhagavathar - 2014
•      Papanasam Sri. Ramani Bhagavathar - 2015
•      Sri. Ganesha Sarma Bhagavathar - 2015
•      Sri. O.S. Sundar Bhagavathar - 2016
•      Cuddalore Sri. Gopi Bhagavathar - 2016 & 2017
•      Bombay Sri. Sathya Bhagavathar - 2017
•      Sri. Karthik Gnaneshwar Bhagavathar - 2017
•      Triplicane Sri. Raju Bhagavathar - 2018
•      Sri. Gnaneshwar Bhagavathar - 2018
•      Smt. Savitha Sriram Avl. - 2018
•      Sri. Aykudi Kumar Bhagavathar - 2019
•      Kadayanallur Sri. Thukkaram Ganapathi Maharaj - 2019
•      Kadayanallur Sri. Raghunath Dass Maharaj - 2019  
•      Villupuram Swargeeya Sri. Jayatheertha Bhagavathar - 2022
•      Sivasri Skandhaprasad Avl. - 2022 
•      Theperumanallur Sri. Narasimha Bhagavathar - 2022
•      Sri. Arvind Choodamani Bhagavathar - 2023
•      PujyaShri. Ramanantha Saraswathi Swamigal - 2023
•      Gnanandha Bhajan Mandali – 2023
•      Chennai Sri. A. Srikanth Bhagavathar – 2024 (proposed for the Utsavam)
•      Bombay Sri. Sundarama Bhagavathar – 2024 (proposed for the Utsavam)

The Utsavam has reached its 83^rd year. This is really because of the unified effort and the earnest co‑operation of all the people of that village, Thorapadi Bhagavathas, Members of the Utsavam, voluntaries and the participants. Each and every Member had contributed for this growth and success of the Utsavam.

It is also to kindly note that during COVID period - the year 2020 and 2021, where there were complete lockdown time and restriction were made to travel from one city to the other, they, the Thorapadi Bhagavathas went to the Village and celebrated the Akshaya Thirthiyai Utsavam at Bhajanai Koil. It is because of them there is a continuity in the Utsavam. Koti pranams to the bhagavathas of Thorapadi.

Also, the people staying in Padi Agraharam and helping for the Ustavam are specially to be thanked. The hospitality they provide during the function days are unique and very devoted. The Members pray Lord Rama to bless all the Village people for long and happy life with very good peace of mind.

The life is very uncertain in this Kali Kaalam and the only way to attain peace of mind is the Namasankeerthanam which creates utmost happiness in our life. The Lord Sri Rama in this village is really powerful. It cannot be expressed simply in words.

Let you all come and enjoy the Akshaya Thrithiyai every year in Padi Agraharam.

All are Welcome. Jai Shri Ram!!!

 

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