Maha Sahasra Kalashabhishekam for Universal Peace and Prosperity.
Morning Glory for the day was enhanced manifold with the auspicious offering of Maha Sahasra Kalashabhishekam at Bhagawan's Divine Lotus Feet this morning here n Prasanthi Nilayam. The Maha Sahasra Kalashabhishekam was organised with the theme "Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu", aiming at universal peace and prosperity. The ritual involved offering of sacred water collected from 1108 rivers from across India. More than thousands of devotees participated in the rituals that lasted for five and a half hour. In the morning, the programme commenced at the scheduled hour, 0600 hrs. with Veda chanting for fifteen minutes, followed by Sankalpam, the introductory ritual involving identification of name, gothra, place, object of the ritual etc., followed. Even as Vedic chanting reverberated in the vast Sai Kulwant Hall, the proceedings continued with various ritualistic offering done at a make-shift altar, erected right in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The offerings included Abhishekam done with Milk, Ghee, Curd, Turmeric Water , Kumkum Water, Rose Water, Coconut Water, etc. Subsequently, Pranapratishta, infusing life-force into the `Deity', Shodashopachara Puja and Yajnopaveetam continued before the actual rituals began at 0800 hrs. Maha Sahasra Kalashabhikam began at 0800 hrs. and continued for two hours with 1108 Kalashas being offered by as many participants. Participants made a beeline, ladies and gents separate, to the makeshift altar, in disciplined order, making the offering. Once the last person also offered the Kalashabhishekam, the idol was cleaned and decked up nicely with flower garlands before the final offerings and Mangala Arathi to the `Deity'. Bhajans by the Youth of Bangalore continued for sometime before the final phase of Maha Kalasha Abhishekam began just after 1030 hrs. Ashtothara Shata Namavali, 108 Holy Names of Bhagawan and Ashtavadhana Puja followed before the final Arathi pertaining to the day's ritual was offered. Even as Prasadam distribution began, bhajans continued until 1120 am when Mangala Arathi was offered. The venue Sai Kulwant Hall was decked up befitting the auspiciousness of the occasion with a riot of colours all over. A huge cut-out of Mother Gayathri was placed at the centre, hanging from the ceiling, facing the Sanctum Sanctorum. Colourful buntings, especially the ones made of fresh green palm leaves along with flowers of various hues enhanced the beauty of the auspicious morning. As part of the programme, in the evening, eminent scholar S. Ranganathan, Director RV Institute of Sanskrit Studies, will speak on the esoteric significance of Gayathri Mantra and Upanayanam. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II Source: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org
