NE SRS Brundavan or New England Sri Raghavendra Swamy Brundavan is a registered Non-profit Organization whose mission is to establish a permanent self-sustaining prarthana mandir/Mutt for Sri Raghavendra Swamy in the Greater Boston area that provides services across the New England region. NESRSB celebrated ‘Srinivasa Kalyana Mahotsava’ with pomp and fervor on June 2, 2019, for universal welfare and prosperity of all. 

This extremely blissful celestial wedding of Lord Srinivasa and His consort, attended by over 400 devotees was performed in a very grand and traditional manner at Bhakta Samaj centre, Tyngsborough. The venue was beautifully decorated. The devotees thoroughly rejoiced the wedding amidst chanting of Vedic mantras, melodiously sung devotional songs, and graceful kolata and classical dance performances presented in the glory of Lord Balaji and His consort. Eminent singers, Natya gurus, their students and devotees showcased their devotion through spellbinding performances. 

The auspicious event started with sanctifying the area and worshipping Lord Ganapathi. Lord Srinivasa adorned with flowers and Jewelry and splendidly decorated goddesses Sridevi and Bhoodevi were invited into the Kalyana Mantapa, in succession, in a beautifully decorated pallaki amidst Veda mantras, enchanting devotional songs and mesmerizing nritya abhinaya. It was such a feast to the eyes. Abhisheka, (a Sanskrit term for the activity associated with giving Holy Bath) was performed to Lord and His consort, sequentially, by reciting sacred Purushasuktha and Sreesuktha respectively. 

Following the Abhishekha, all the elaborate Kalyana mahotsava steps like wedding engagement, varapooja, Kasi yatra etc., were performed following Vedic procedures. It was wonderful to see many kids in their colorful traditional attire participate in varapooja and offer varieties of prasad and decorative items. 

Important step in the wedding sequence is the bride and the groom ‘placing a mixture of cumin and Jaggery’. Cumin, a bitter spice and Jaggery, sweet in taste, represents the challenges and sweet experiences in married life. ‘Mangalashtaka’ was recited during this step followed by exchange of garlands which symbolizes the unification of the bride and the groom as one soul in two bodies. Then Kanyadana, kankana pooja, Mangalya dharana rituals followed by Naivedya and aarti were performed. The significance and the purpose of each of these rituals was narrated. Embracing the spirit of devotion and seva, little kids, young adults and elderly got immersed in this grand celebration. 

The grandeur Mahotsava concluded with a lavish spread of delicious wedding lunch filled with traditional delicacies. Lunch was served in pankthi bhojana style (everyone seated in rows and served on banana leaves). Many devotees engaged themselves in the prasada preparation and serving lunch.

Kudos to all the sevarthis who came from far and near, helped in several ways, and made this event a very memorable and blissful event with the blessings of Lord Sreenivasa, goddesses Sreedevi and Bhoodevi .

 

Overall, Srinivasa Kalyana Mahotsava was not an event that one could miss.

Sarve Jana Sukhino bhavantu!