Avatarotsavams – Three Days

Sundararaja Swamy is a Self-emerged God in the auspicious star Uttarabhadra in the Jyestha Masa of Lunar Calendar.

The main events of the Avatarotsavams are distributed over the three days beginning on the day with Stabhisha Nakshatra and ending on the day with Uttarabhadra Nakshatra (The Birth Star of Sri Sundararaja Swami) in the following manner

Avatarotsavams – First Day

Sahasranamarchana to Swami after Suprabhata Seva, Kalyanotsavam to the Utsava Murthi of Goddess Padmavati, Abhisheka to Sundararaja Swamy and finally in the evening Unjal Seva – are the events of the first Day.

While these are the events performed in the temple premises there will be a Celestial Ride in the Four Mada Streets by Sri Sundararaja Swami, Sri Devi, and Bhu Devi on the Pedda Sesha Vahana on the first day night.

Significance of Pedda Sesha Vahanam

Among all the Vahana sevas, the first one is the Pedda Sesha Vahana Seva. Pedda Seshavahana is adorned with different kinds of flowery garlands, electric lamp series, and other kinds of decorative items.

Being accompanied by the resonant Vedic recitations the Divine Mother Sri Devi and Bhu Devi and the Prime God of the Festival Sri Sundararaja Swami will bless the devotees in the four Mada streets.

All three idols are adorned with fragrant flowery garlands and different kinds of jewellery. The gracious glances of the three deities are to save the world from all calamities.

The majestic appearance of Pedda Sesha Vahana is highly pleasing with his Seven huge hoods.

The seven hoods of the Pedda Sesha have a philosophical interpretation according to which the seven prime causes of the world :

• Mahat or the Universal Intelligence,
• Ahankara (The Universal self) and
• The five Subtle Elements Sabda – The Sound, Sparsa – The Touch, Rupa – The Color, Rasa – The Taste, and Gandha – The Smell are said to be the seven hoods.

The Pedda Sesha himself is said to have been the very form of Prakrti. The mounting of Sri Sundararaja Swami on Pedda Sesha is explained as the association of the Parama Purusha with Prakriti.

Soon the devotees see the Great God on the Pedda Sesha Vahanam, their minds are filled with great joy, and start reciting different kinds of stotrams.

Avatarotsavams – Second Day

Again on the second day, Sahasranamarchana after Suprabhata Seva to Sri Sundararaja Swami, Kalyanotsavam to Goddess Padmavati Devi, Abhisheka and Unjala Seva to Sri Sundararaja Swami amidst the Vedic chants and auspicious tunes and Nadaswaram and percussion are the events offered in the Mukhamandapa while in the first quarter of the night the celestial ride of Swami alone in the four Mada streets on Hanumad Vahana.

Significance of Hanumad Vahanam

Hanuman was the personification of the bhakti in the form of the most trusted and selfless service to the Lord in his incarnation as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. No exaggeration is there to say that Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Hanuman the vehicle of Sri Rama in the great war between Rama and Ravana, is the heroic one who freed the sorrow of Sita.

• He is the greatest among the monkeys.
• He is the slayer of the demon Akshaya, the son of Ravana.
• He is the one who trembled the entire city of Lanka with his valour.
• His speed is equal to that of wind.
• He is the most self-controlled celibate, the best among the wise and always stands in the forefront of Monkey-warrior troops.

On seeing such a great devotee of Sri Ramachandra everybody will surely get all kinds of virtues, will be free from grief, and attain the blessings of Sri Sundararaja Swami.

Avatarotsavams – Third Day

Earlier in the day abhisheskham is performed to the Moolavirat of Sri Sundararajaswami and Sri Padmavati Ammavaru after the Suprabhata and Sahasranamarchana. Special Kalyanotsavam is performed for Sri Padmavati Ammavaru between 10.30 am & noon.

A Thirumanjanam or Abhisheka is performed to utsava idols of Sri Sundara raja swami and his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi with milk, curd, sandal paste, and a variety of flowers and fruits. Unjal Seva will follow Thirumanjanam later in the evening to the deity.

Sri Sundararajaswami (without Sridevi and Bhudevi) is again taken out in a celestial procession in full decoration of flowery garlands, rich gem-studded ornaments, and other decorations on the Garuda Vahana.

The Lord gives His Glorious darshan to all the devotees on the four Mada streets around the temple in the first quarter of the night.

Significance of Garudavahana

From the philosophic point of view, Garuda is the very form of the Vedas. So Mounting of Sri Sundararaja on Garuda suggests that the Vedas alone are capable of spreading the message of Vishnu tattva to all the ends of directions.

• Garuda is the chief vehicle of Vishnu.
• Garuda is the Sandals of Vishnu.
• One who bears the Vishnu padukas on his head will attain Vaikuntha by the grace of the Great God.

May all the devotees participating in this Divine Festival be blessed with all kinds of gracious favours of Lord Sri Sundararaja Swami and His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine