April showers brings May flowers to worship Lord Venkateswara at Sri Vijaya Kali Ashram in Burlington.

Thiruppavada and Pulangi Seva performed by priest Sri. Bhavani Tejasvi Atmaram brings Tirumala to Burlington and it is a feast to the eyes of devotees

Once in a year kind of event, Venkatesawara and Jagannath Pusha Yagam happened at Sri Vijaya Kali Ashram on Saturday, the May 13^th evening.  Like any event, it all started with Ganesh puja followed by Punyaham.  Then the Utsava moorthis (miniature idols) of Lord Venkateswara and Lord Jagannath have been set for Abhishekam.  Abhishekam is a ritual where the idols are showered and cleansed with Water, Milk, Turmeric powder water, Sandal Wood powder water and Kumkum powder water.   This is an auspicious moment where devotees participated alongside of the priest in cleansing and showering the idols while Vedic mantras are chanted.

This was followed by the Pushpa Yagam and Pulangi seva for main deity(s) where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped and garlanded with various varieties of flowers. The Ashram has organized special flowers like Malle (Jasmine) and Ganneru (Tecoma Stans) apart from many flowers that devotees brought for the occasion. The special Pushpa (flower) alankaram to Lord Venkateswara and Lord Jagannath was a feast to the eyes. Devotees joined the priest in chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama Puja (Thousand names of Lord Vishnu).

Very similar to a ritual followed on Thursdays in Tirumala the home of Lord Venkateswara’s most famous temple, priest Priest Bhavani performed Thiruppavada seva.  The seva (prayer) included Anna Kutostavam where heaps of Tamarind rice representing the seven hills of Tirumala. Vedic mantras are chanted while puja was performed with flowers to the Lord presented the devotees an enchanting evening.

Priest Sri. Bhavani explained the significance of the event.  The night ended with devotees getting Aarti, Shantijal, thirdham (Abhishekam water), and Tamarind rice from Anna Kutostavam as Maha Prasadam.  Overall it is a night where devotees has a feast to the eyes watching and participating in Lord Venkateswara Pulangi seva (worship with flowers) and very auspicious event performed in authentic Vedic way.  A real treasure for eyes and ears of devotees.

The Pushpa Yagam marks the first of 3 major annual events for Lord Jagannath which are Pushpa Yatra, Snan Yatra and Rath Yatra. Sri Jagannath Snan Jatra is set for Sat, the June 10^th while the last big culminating event “Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra” is scheduled for Sun, the June 25^th. During Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra Lord Jagannath along with Sri Subhadra and Sri Balabhadra traverse the streets of Burlington on a well decorated Rath (Chariot) specially built for the purpose to bless the community.  Devotees get to pull the auspicious Rath on Burlington streets on this yearly occasion. “You don’t want to miss the event” say last year devotees and Ashram volunteers.  June 10^th and June 25^th can be marked in your calendars! Please visit srikali.org for specific event timings.

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