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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00138 Aug 2003

 
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Dear BhakthAs:
 
Annual Pavithrothsavams are purificatory rituals recommended by Aagamas
to expiate the commissions and the omissions associated with daily
worship (Aaraadhanam) of the Lord at His consecrated temples. Lapses in
the performance of the Aaraadhanam are recognized and a detailed
ceremony consisting of homam  in front of the Uthsava Moorthy
at a specailly constructed yaaga saala. The decoration of all the Moorthys
of the temple with specially prepared necklaces made of dyed cotton thread
is carried out and the day concludes with a pornahoothi. This is  an elaborate
uthsavam , which can be conducted from 3-10 days depending on
the temple tradition. The time for the performance of the Pavithrothsavam is
different from temple to temple. At Thirumala , it is scheduled in August; at
Thiruvazhunthur dhivya desam,, it is performed in the Tamil month of Iyppasi
(October-November). At the Pomona Sri Ranganathar temple , the plans are
to celebrate it during October for 3 days.Special pavithra maalais have been
brought over from Srirangam and will be used for decoration of all the deities
in the eight sannidhis. 
 
Before we discuss the annual Pavithrothsam, it is relevant to point out that
another purificatory ceremony performed inside the sanctum sanctorium
(garbha graham) knownas "Koil Azhwaar Thirumanjanam" (KAT) is quite different
from the annual pavithrothsavam.  The KAT is performed four times an year at
the sanctum sanctorium of Thirumala Srinivasan's temple. Pavithrothsavam is
performed only once a year in all temples . On the day of KAT at Thirumala ,
the Uthsava moorhtys  and the akanda dheepam are removed from the sanctum
sanctorium and placed in the ante-chamber . The sanctum is cleaned thoroughly
and a paste consisting of Kumkumam (vermillion), Camphor and other special
ingredients are applied to the inner walls . After a short period of time , this paste is
wiped clean anda light abhishEkam is performed for the Moolavar and Bhoga Srinivasan.
Naivedhyam is offered and distributed. This is a physical cleaning act .
 
Pavithrothsavam is a well prescribed ritual , where the archakar prays for
forgivenss for all lapses--conscious or otherwise-- in the daily worship
of the Lord . 
 
On the evening before Pavithrothsavam, a prayer to the Lord (Bhagavath praarthanai)
is offered ;this is followed by  (1) Acharya-Yajamaana sankalpam ( vow to perform
the Pavithrothsavam) (2) Vaasudeva Punyahavachanam( cleansing act before any ritual
at the temple with appropriate veda manthras and sprinklingof the areas of uthsavam
with consecrated water )(3)  Mrudh sankrahanam ( Collection of earth )
(4) ankuraarpanam ( germination of seeds in special vessels in the earth housed
in special vessels ) and (5) Vaasthu Saanthi ( prayers to Vaasthu Purushan
of the temple for auspiciousness)
 
On the morning of the second day, a ritualknown as theertha sangrahanam is
performed and is  followed by Acharya-Bhagavan raksha bhandham(tying of raksha 
on the wrists of the Lord and Acharyaas)  . The special priests versed in aagama rituals
enter the yaaga saalai ( pravesam ) and the dhwaara poojai is performed.Next Kumbha,
Mandala, Bhimbha poojaas are conducted. Consecration of the Agni for the homams
(agni prathishtai) follows. All the specially constructed pavithra maalais are consecrated
and adorn all the Uthsava and Moola bherams. Pradhaana homam and PoorNaahuthi
followed by laghu Saarrumurai concludes the morning's ceremonies.
 
On the evening of the second day , Yaaga Saalai pravesam, Dhwaara Poojai
are perfomed first and is followed by Chathur-sthaana archanai , Kumbha-Mandala-
Bhimbha-Agni poojaas . Nithya homam and Poornaahuthi conclude the day's rituals.
 
On the morning and the evening of the third day, the sequence of procedures of
the second day is followed. The speciaI events for the third day evening are:
the abhishekam (Thirumanjanam) for the Lord with 81 kalasams as at Srirangam.
A very special homam with deep ritualistic significance known as " Shodasa Tatthva
Nyaasa Homam" is performed . Saanthi homamand Saarrumurai are the final
rituals for the third day.
 
On the morning of the fourth day , the ceremonies of PavithrOthsavam come to
a conclusion in the following sequence: Yaaga saalai pravesam , dhwaara pooja,
chathur sthaana archanai, nithya homam , Mahaa Poornaahoothi, Mahaa dhwaara devathai
yathaa sthaanam, Kumbha yathaa sthaanam , Kumbha yaathraa dhaanam . The consecrated
waters from the three day long ceremonies are sprinkled over all corners of the temple.
A big Saarrumurai and Mangala Aaratthi arethen performed . The Pavithra maalais are removed
and distributed to devotees , who took part in the ghoshti and prasaadham is offered
to the Lord and distributed to all .
 
The PavithrOthsavam is concluded this way and the path is laid out for another
year of worship at the temple to recieve the blessings of the dhivya dampathis.
 
adiyEn benefitted a great deal form discussions with Sri Varadha Bhattar of
Oppiliappan Sannidhi in preparation of this posting  , who is presently serving
as the archakar at Sri Ranganatha Temple at Pomona , NY. My sincere
thanks are to him.
 
Daasan, Oppiliappan KOil Varadachari Sadagopan
 
 
 

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