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SrI:

May I request the Moderator to permit the posting on the Plans
for the celebration of PavithrOthsavam in the most Vaidhic way 
at Sri RanganathA Temple , POmona ,  NY ? Thanks in advance ,
V.Sadagopan 

P.S : an article on the significance of PavithrOthsavam and the steps
in its performance is appended .
----- Original Message ----- 
From: venkat kanumalla 
To: sridhardikshit@xxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:26 AM
Subject: Pavitrotsavam Invitation:


Dear Devotees,
You are all invited to attend the  Pavitrotsavam from 9-14-2005 to 9-17-2005 
and be blessed by  the Divya-Dampatis.  Please visit Temple Website at 
www.ranganatha.org for a detailed Invitation.

Thanks to Dr.Sadagopan for permitting me to edit and use  his article on 
Pavitrotsavam to suit our Temple's special  needs ( which is pasted below  for 
your kind information ).

Srimat Azhagiyasingar Thiruvadigale Saranam.
adiyen,
Venkat Kanumalla
of Sri Ranganatha Temple, Pomona, NY. 
       

      vaidhika anushThAnams
     

||    PavitrOtsavam    ||

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Annual Pavitrotsavams 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 Utsava Moorty at a specailly constructed 
yaaga saala. The decoration of all the Moortys 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 utsavam , which can be 
conducted from 3-10 days depending on the temple tradition. The time for the 
performance of the Pavitrotsavam 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 September-2005  for 4 
days. Special pavitra 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 Pavitrotsam , it is relevant to point out that 
another purificatory ceremony performed inside the sanctum sanctorium (garbha 
graham) known as "Koil Azhwaar Tirumanjanam" (KAT) is quite different from the 
annual pavitrotsavam. The KAT is performed four times an year at the sanctum 
sanctorium of Tirumala Srinivasa's temple. Pavitrotsavam is performed only once 
a year in all temples . On the day of KAT at Thirumala , the Uthsava moorhtys 
and the akhanda 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 and a 
light abhishEkam is performed for the Moolavar and Bhoga Srinivasa. Naivedhyam 
is offered and distributed. This is a physical cleaning act . 

Pavitrotsavam is a well prescribed ritual , where the archaka prays for 
forgiveness for all lapses--conscious or otherwise-- in the daily worship of 
the Lord . 

On the evening before Pavitrotsavam, a prayer to the Lord (Bhagavath prArthana) 
is offered ;this is followed by (1) Acharya-Yajamaana sankalpam ( vow to 
perform the Pavitrotsavam),  (2) Vaasudeva PunyahavAchanam( cleansing act 
before any ritual at the temple with appropriate veda mantras and sprinkling of 
the areas of utsavam with consecrated water ), (3) Mrudh sangrahaNam ( 
Collection of earth ), (4) ankurAarpaNam ( germination of seeds in special 
vessels in the earth housed in special vessels ) and (5) VAstu ShAnti ( prayers 
to VAstu Purusha of the temple for auspiciousness) 

On the morning of the second day, a ritual known as theertha sangrahaNam is 
performed and is followed by Acharya-Bhagavan raksha bandham (tying of raksha 
on the wrists of the Lord and AcharyAs) . The special priests versed in aagama 
rituals enter the yaaga saala ( pravesam ) and the dwAra pooja is performed.  
Next Kumbha, Mandala, Bimba poojaas are conducted. Consecration of the Agni for 
the homams (agni pratishtha) follows. All the specially constructed pavitra 
maalas are consecrated and adorn all the Utsava and Moola-berams. PradhAna 
homam and PoorNaahuti followed by laghu Saatrumurai concludes the morning's 
ceremonies. 

On the evening of the second day , Yaaga Saala pravesam, Dwaara Pooja are 
perfomed first and is followed by Chatu:-sthaana archana , Kumbha-Mandala-Bimba 
& Agni poojaas . Nitya homam and Poornaahuti 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 special events for the third day evening are: 
the abhishekam (Tirumanjanam) for the Lord with 81 kalasams as at Srirangam. A 
very special homam with deep ritualistic significance known as " Shodasa Tatva 
Nyaasa Homam" is performed . ShAnti homam and Saatrumurai are the final rituals 
for the third day. 

On the morning of the fourth day , the ceremonies of PavitrOtsavam come to a 
conclusion in the following sequence: Yaaga saala pravesam , dwaara pooja, 
chatu:- sthAnArchana, nitya homam , Mahaa PoornAhuti, MahA dwAra devata yathA- 
sthAnam, Kumbha yathA sthAnam , Kumbha yAtrA dAnam . The consecrated waters 
from the three day long ceremonies are sprinkled over all corners of the 
temple. A big Saatrumurai and Mangala Aarati are then performed. The Pavitra 
mAlas are removed and distributed to devotees , who took part in the goshthi 
and prasAdam is offered to the Lord and distributed to all . 

The PavitrOtsavam 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 Dampatis. 

The Kinds of Utsavams at the VishNu Aalayams (Temples) :

 

In the consecrated temples of the Lord SrIman NArAyaNa , there are three kinds 
of Utsavams: NityOtsavam , NaimittikOtsavam and KAmyOtsavam. 

 

 

 

NityOtsavam :  

 

Every month there are Pancha Parva Utsavams that are recognized as 
NityOtsavams. These five NityOtsavams during each month are: (1)PerumAl's 
Tirunakshatram (Revati for SrI RanganAtha , SwAti for Lord Sri  
Lakshmi-Nrusimha, Punarvasu for Lord Sri Rama, Rohini for Lord Sri Krishna, 
SravaNam for Lord Sri SrinivAsa, Uttara-Phalguni for Sri Maha-Lakshmi and 
Poorva-Phalguni for Sri Andal ) , (2, 3) Two EkAdasis ( Sukla and KrishNa 
Paksha EkAdasis) , (4) First day of the Tamil Month ( Maasa PiRappu) , (5) 
AmAvasya ( New Moon Day). 

 

NaimittikOtsavam: 

 

This is a samprOkshaNa (Consecration ) Utsavam , when any one of these 
misfortunes happen:

(1)  The dhurbhiksham ( inauspiciousness) caused to the community by Asubha 
graham combinations,

(2)  Gati BhEdhams of the Moon and the Sun,

(3)  the falling down of Gopuram , MaNtapams and temple structures,

(4)  Epidemics and horrible diseases ( The Visha Jwaram at Thirupputtkuzhi 
Dhivya Desam during Swamy Desikan's Times) , 

(5)  the fracture of the consecrated images ( ThiruveLLUr Moolavar's hand , 
which was corrected by one of the Azhagiya Singars, The shift in Peetam of 
ANDAL Utsava Vigraham at SrI PerumbhUthUr et al) and 

(6) Failure of rains in the land. These are the NaimittikOthsavams. 

 

KAmyOtsavam:

 

This Utsavam is to seek any one of the Four PurushArThams (Dharma , Artha , 
Kaama and Moksham) from the Lord thru prayers and observance of dedicated 
festivals ( Golden RaTha Utsavam at Oppiliappan Sannidhi). 

 

PavitrOtsavam: 

This is a specail annual Utsavam for the purposes of the banishment of all 
blemishes , lapses in the Year's aarAdhanams by ArchakAs and to restore 
SAnidhyam for the Lord . This is hence a Sarva DhOsha NivAraNa utsavam. 

It is carried out during the time period between SrAvaNa  month and KArthika 
month and is for the preethi of VishNu and for chEtana's Moksham . Sukla 
Paksham in these months are preferred for the observance of this Sarva dhOsha 
NivAraNa Utsavam .  Prathama , Thrutheeya, Panchami , Dasami, EkAdasi, DhvAdasi 
,  ThrayOdasi , PourNami thithis are to be selected for the start of this 
Utsavam.  At Sri Ranganatha Temple, it usually starts on Shukla Ekadasi day and 
concludes on Poornima day.

 

Regarding Nakshatrams , Asvani, RohiNi, Mrughaseersham , Punarvasu, Pushyami , 
ChithrA , SravaNa , Revathi nakshatrams are preferred. From Sukla Paksha 
Prathami to PourNami , the performance of Pavitrotsavam on any one of the 
Nakshatrams are recommended . It is Uttamam (most auspicious) to initiate this 
utsavam on such days. 

 

This Pavitrotsavam can have a duration of 4 or 7 or 9 days . At minimum , it 
must be performed for 4 days .On the day of completion of this Utsavam, 
TeerthavAri ( like avabhrutha SnAnam at the end of conclusion of a Yaj~nam) in 
the temple tank or the river is to be done. 

 

Why the word Pavitram is linked to this Utsavam? 

 

Pavitram means Suddham and auspiciousness . Silk threads are used to create the 
necklaces for the Lord. There are 5 different colored threads . In the middle 
of the threads , there are knots (granthis) . Prathishta (Consecration) is done 
to these colored silk necklaces (garlands) thru invocation of the power of the 
divya aabharaNams and Jewelery of the Lord ( SrI Vastram /PeetAmbaram , 
Kireetam/Crown , Kousthubham , Vana Maala , Sudarsanam et al). PrANa pratishtha 
is next performed to make them fit for the Lord to wear these Pavitra Maalas. 
As an integral part of the Pavitrotsavam , the traditional observances such as 
- Bhagavat PrArThana, Sankalpam , PuNyAhavAchanam , Mrudh-SangarahaNam , Vaastu 
ShAnti karmAs should be done. The special Yaaga Saalai should be constructed . 
DhvAra PoojA is performed for the Yaaga SaalA and PerumAL should be requested 
to take His place in the Yaaga SaalA through Chatu:-SthAnArchanam for 
performing worship during the Utsavam days. 

 

The chatu:-SthAanArchanam: 

 

Kumbham, MaNDalam , Bimbam and Agni are the four SthAnams (Focus sites) for the 
archana (worship) of the Lord . 

 

Kumbham: 

 

In the YaagasAla Vedhika , nine Kumbhams ( Copper / Silver Kalasams adorned 
with threads) are established to invoke VaasudEva , SankarshNa , Pradhyumna , 
Aniruddha , Purusha , Sathya , Anantha , Achyutha and Sudarsana for AarAdhanam. 
 In the Kumbham , sacred waters from Ganga, Cauvery et al are requested to be 
present and these teertha Svaroopa DevatAs are invoked for dhana dhAnya 
abhivrutthi. 

 

MaNdalam: 

 

MaNdalam is BhagavAn's Chakra Aayudham that is drawn as Yantram (Bimbam) and 
Lord Sudarsana is invoked there . ( In the MaNdalam , Sudarsana MahA Purusha 
has Sudarsana JwAla, Nemi , Aram , Naabhi and aksham ). There are also six 
adhvAs in the MaNdalam (Shadadhva NyAsam) : (1) TathvAdhvA (JeevAdhi Tattvams), 
(2)BhuvanAdhvA ( the 14 universes - Atala, Vitala, sutala, TalAtala, RasAtala, 
MahAtala, PatAla, Bhu, Bhuvar, Suvar, Mahar, Jana, Tapah, and Brahma or Satya  
), (3) VarNAdhvA (BheejAkAksharams of Mantrams) ,(4) KalAdhvA (64 Kalas) , (5) 
MantrAdhvA ( Moola Mantram , Moorty Mantram , Phala mantram , Nrusimha Mantram) 
and (6) PadhAdhvA ( KesavAdhi upavyUha Moortys ) . 

In the petals and also in the angles (kONams like AgnEyam ), SrIvatsam, 
Sankham, ChandAdhi DevAs (dwAra PAkakAs ) , VishvaksEna , VynatEya (Garuda) are 
to be  invoked and worshipped. 

 

This MaNDala AarAdhana rules (Vithi) are found especially in PAncharAtra 
Aagamam. When Sudarsana is invoked in MaNDalam directly , He removes all fears 
(Bheethi) and confers auspiciousness. He burns away all blemishes. 
MandalArAdhanam is done to grace the BhaktAs and make dhushtAs powerless. 

 

BimbArAdhanam:

 

PerumAl is brought to Yaaga SaalA and invoked for worship there. The 
misfortunes in the land and that of the rulers are removed through this 
Chathu:-sThAna AarAdhanam.

 

Agni AarAdhanam:

 

The YAgAgni Kundams are constructed in the Yaaga Saala as instructed by the 
Aagmams. BhagavAn is invoked there in the middle of Agni in the Kundam. Homam 
is performed with PradhAna Mantrams. For consecration of the Agni used in the 
Yaaga Saala , GarbhAdhAna and Jaathakarma ceremonies have to be done for the 
Agni , In AagamAs , Agni Pratishtha is classified under three Cctegories: 
BaalAgni, VruddhAgni and YouvanAgni. For SamprOkshaNam , Dheekshai and other 
ShAnti KarmAs , BaalAgni is used. For Utsavams such as Pavitrotsavam , 
BrahmOtsavam, etc.., VruddhAgni is to be used.   BaalAgni is created by rubbing 
a special kind of wood (araNi-sticks) against a holder and Agni is churned out 
(maThanam).   VruddhAgni is the Agni present with AgnihOtris or it is brought 
from the Madapalli (Kitchen of the Lord). 

 

Agni has seven tongues (Sapta JihvA) : KaaLI, KarALI, SumanA , lOhita, DhUmrA , 
Sphulingini and Visvaroopa. Each of them have a specific location in the Agni 
Kundam . KaaLI is in the middle , KarALi is in Poorva dhik and the others are 
in the AagnEya dhik, VaaruNa dhik, West , North , Vaayu dhik , and North East 
(IsAnyam) . For dhOsha Nivrutthi , Only offerings through Agni or water has to 
be made to other DevathAs that ultimately reaches their antaryAmi , SrIman 
NArAyaNa.  VedAs declare that the Lord is in the form of Agni ( Yaj~nO vai 
VishNu:). Even the Yaj~nam is VishNu Mayam. 

 

In Yaj~na Kundam , PerumAL is invoked and homam is performed with Moola 
Mantram, PanchOpanishad Mantrams , Pancha VaaruNika mantrams . At the end 
PoorNahUti is done for the day. These homas are done twice,  thrice , five 
times or 7 times during the day and on the last day ShOdasa Tattva NyAsa Homa 
and ShAnti hOma are performed to conclude the PavitrOtsavam. 

 

ShOdasa Tattva NyAsa Homam: 

The first Tattva Homam involves PrANAdhi Dasa Vaayu NyAsam , PrANa PratishtA 
Homa , Moola Mantra Homa , Aayudha NyAsa Homa and BhUshaNa NyAsa Homa (all the 
Aayudhas and AabharaNas represent different MahA Tattvams). 

The 16 (ShOdasa) NyAsas are : 

1)     PraNava NyAsam, (2) VyAhruti NyAsam, (3) Akshara NyAsam, 4) Nakshatra 
NyAsam, (5) Gruha NyAsam, (6) Kaala NyAsam, (7) BrAhmaNAdi VarNa NyAsam, (8) 
ThOya NyAsam, (9) Nigama NyAsam, (10) DevatA NyAsam, (11) VairAjan NyAsam, (12) 
Krathu NyAsam, (13) GuNa NyAsam, (14) Moorty NyAsam, (15) Sakthi NyAsam and 
(16) Shad GuNa NyAsam. 

 

Each of these homams are done and the residue (samphAdyam ) from the Agni 
Kundam is collected and applied to the Lord's limbs from the sacred feet upto 
Siras (head). 

 

ShAnti Homam:

 

Chathur VyAhruti Mantra ( BhU SvAhA , Bhuva: SvahA, Suva: svAhA, & 
BhUrbuhva:suva: SvAhA ) homam are performed 108 times with honey , milk , Curd 
and ghee .The SampAdyam from this ShAnti Homam is applied from the sacred feet, 
Stomach, Face and the Siras of the Lord. Thereafter, Jaggery, Honey , Ghee are 
used to the accompaniment of VishNU Gaayatri (108 times) and oblations are 
offered; at the end the SampAdyam from this Homam is applied to all the limbs 
of the Lord. 

 

PoorNAhUti follows  PrAyaschitta Homam, which  is done with PanchOpanishad 
mantrams. The Sakthi from the Kundam is transferred to the Kumbham and the 
Kundam is returned to yathA sThAnam . DhvAra Devathas are sent back to their 
homes (yathA sTAnam) with reverential prayers. Then, the Sakti in the ManDalam 
is transferred to Kumbham . It is followed by Kumbha YaatrA dAnam and the 
Kumbham is taken in procession to Moolavar sannidhi with all upachArams. Kumbha 
Sakthi is now transferred to Moolavar (Dhruva bEram) .  All saanidhis are 
sprinkled (prOkshaNam) with the water from Kumbham . TheerthavAri is carried 
out and ChakratthAzhwAr is immersed in the waters by the archakAs . At the 
Moolavar Sannidhi , JithanTE sthOthram is recited and is followed by the grand 
SaatRumuRai  with Vedam, Upanishads, IthihAsams and Dhivya Prabhandhams . 
PrasAdam is presented . Theertham , SatAri, Ghoshti ViniyOgam of Bhagavad 
PrasAdham concludes this annual Pavitrotsavam Festival at VishNu Temples. 

ArchakA's Mnthra Balam keeps the Sannidhyam of the consecrated Images of the 
Lord at the Temples. ArchakA has to serve the Lord without anticipating any 
gains (Aathmartha AarAdhanam) . Such an AarAdhanam will grant soubhAgyams to 
the devotees. When the Archaka is not performing such aarAdhanam , he is called 
an amantraka archakan and the Lord runs away from him like a human being 
confronting a Cobra and the animals of the forest , when they see a lion. 
Archaka and the devotees have to recognize the consecrated ArchA images of the 
Lord as SaakshAt BhagavAn and not as some image made of stone, metal or wood. 
Those who consider that way will surely suffer in narakam. 

The Archaka , who uses the prescribed AarAdhana Mantrams daily causes the 
Saannidhyam of the Lord to grow in the Consecrated Bimbams of Him.  When 
Archaka is blessed to perform such AarAdhanam without expecting any returns , 
he reaches VishNu Padham at the end of his life on this earth.  This is what 
PaancharAthra Aagamam texts state.The Mantra Veeryam (potency) of the archaka 
results in Saanidhyam (presence) of the Lord at His sannidhis and Pavitrotsavam 
banishes any dimmuition in the Lord's presence in His consecrated images at the 
VishNu Aalayams due to lapses in AarAdhanams according to the prescribed 
aagamic rules . 

Let us enjoy the upcoming Pavitrotsavams at the Temples during this season and 
appreciate the significance of these ancient rites. 


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