Sri
Shirdi Sai idol consecrated
Maha kumbhabhishekam performed
By Ravi R. Ponangi
Atlanta, Georgia: Notwithstanding the inclement weather, several
thousands of devotees thronged the North America Shirdi Saibaba
temple of Atlanta at Suwannee, Georgia and witnessed Sri Shirdi
Saibaba Vigraha pratistapana Kumbhabhishekam amidst Vedic ritual
known as vigraha pratistapana for consecrating the Shirdi Sai
Vigraha. For the devotees of Atlanta, it was the realization of
a long standing dream. Shirdi Saibaba vigraha pratistapana and
Maha Kumbhabhishekam were performed to the newly constructed Sri
Shirdi Saibaba temple of Atlanta on Sunday, March 15.
Fifteen priests performed week-long ceremonial abhishekams and
fire pujas (Homas) preparatory to the vigraha Pratistapana
Kumbhabhishekam. The week long festivities started early morning
on Monday, March 09 with Anugna, Ganapati puja, sankalpam, Sri
Sai Sahasranamarchana and Vishnu Sahasranamaparayana. Different
rituals like abhishekam, Ganapati, Dattatreya, Sianath, Srirama,
Rudra,vastu and Rakshogna homas, Jaladhi Vasam, Dhanyadhi Vasam,
Pushpadhivasam, Panchgavya puja, Sikhara Yantra Stapana, Sri Sai
Yantra Stapana, Ratna Nyasam and Pallaki Seva connected with Sri
Shirdi Sai vigraha pratistapana and Maha Kumbhabhishekam were
performed true to tradition on all the days culminating in the
auspicious Muhurtam at 9.45AM for vigraha pratistapana on March
15. The festivities that started on March 9th concluded on a
grand scale with the Prana Pratistapana of Shirdi Saibaba
vigraha and Maha Kumbhabhishekam on March 15th with the chanting
of ‘Sri Satchidananda Satguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai’ by the
congregation rending the air.
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The Baba Moorthi was meticulously carved out of special marble
and sculpted by Mr. Rajiv Talim who belongs to same family which
made the Moorthi in the Shirdi temple in India. Several other
key temple architectural features such as Shikara and Kalasam
were inspired by the Shirdi temple in India. The Shikara soars
to a height of 70’ from the ground level. The 15,000 sq. ft.
facility built at a cost of $4 million is located on 13.5 acre
site with rolling hills. It consists of prayer hall on the
second level and dining hall, kitchen, multipurpose hall,
library and rest rooms on the first level. The prayer hall has
an unobstructed vista of 50’ to provide a clear and uninhibited
darshan of Baba. The back wall is decorated with scalloped
arches. The entire temple environment was designed to create a
serene and wholly sublime atmosphere. The temple was built in a
record time of one year from the date of its laying foundation
stone on February 17, 2008.
Sri Gopala Bhattar, head priest of Hindu temple of Atlanta,
Riverdale and Pradhana Acharya of Prana Pratista and
Kumbhabhishekam ceremony assisted Shirdi Sai temple priests
Suresh Bala Krishnan and Ravi Kumar Medicherla in performing
kumbhabhishekam and idol installation. Six other priests drawn
from other temples across US were part of the team performing
different rituals. In total 14 priests participated in
conducting pujas and homas.
Priests performed “Netronmilanam– opening the Eyes” ceremony as
the congregation clapped and tumultuously chanted “Siladhivasaya
Sri Sainathaya Namaha”. A cow was bathed and garlanded and
gently led inside the temple to face a large mirror, so the
sanctified deity could view the mirror and the holy cow for the
first time. This ceremony imparted divinity to the Saibaba icon.
A special tent was erected for performing different rituals and
Homas. Prior to the vigraha pratistapana these homas were
completed with Purna Huti and the priests brought these vessels/kumbhas
out of the Yagasala.
Pradhana Acharya Gopal Bhattar, temple priests Suresh, Ravi
Kumar and Pavana Kumar carried these kalasas to the top of the
temple tower with the help of a crane and performed Sikhara
Kumbhabhishekam. A helicopter showered flowers on Raja Gopuram
while priests were performing Sikhara Kumbhabhishekam. Yajamans
(sponsors) carrying the remaining kalasas did Sikhara kalasa,
circumambulated the temple and took the kalasas into the temple.
Priests poured the sanctified water from these kalasas over
Shirdi Sai deity while priests chanting hymns and devotees aired
Jai, jai dwanis accompanied by nadaswaram. Later, priests
performed Sitarama and Uma Maheswara kalyanam followed by
Pradhama Arati to Shirdi Saibaba.
Besides the religious rituals, spiritual discourses on Bhagavad
Gita, elucidatory talk on Sri Shirdi Sai teachings, bhajans,
devotional singing, and classical dances were held. A play
depicting the life and teachings of Shri Shirdi Sai was
thoroughly enjoyed by the devotees. Mahamandaleswar Swami
Maheswarananda puri who is on tour to US graced the Yagasala on
the first day of festivities and blessed the work being carried
out by the temple community. He had also taken a tour of temple
complex.
Between Saturday and Sunday, close to ten thousand people
visited the temple and participated in the activities. All
devotees patiently waited for hours for the Darshan in spite of
incessant rain and chill weather. In addition, events were
broadcast live over the web to facilitate Baba devotees from all
over the world to get the feel of participation in the
festivities. Temple served lunch and dinner to all the thousands
of devotees that partook in the celebrations.
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| Ms. Madhavi, President of the temple felicitating
State Senator Mr. Curt Thomson |
Ms. Madhavi Duggasani, president of the temple thanked State
Senator Mr. Curt Thomson and temple builder Mr. Scott Worley of
Tiernan and Petrillo for their august presence. She expressed
her gratitude to the priests, Executive Committee,
co-coordinators, temple board for their support and most
importantly thanked all the volunteers and devotees who made
celebrations a huge success.
North America Shirdi Sai temple of Atlanta is located at 700
James Burgess Rd, Suwannee, GA 30024-1133. For more information,
please visit the website
www.AtlantaSaiTemple.org or call 678-455-7200
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