TTD along with AP Non-resident Telugu Society organized its first Srinivasa Kalyanam at San Francisco, Bay Area in the United States which was attended by TTD Chairman Sri YV Subba Reddy.
The celestial wedding took place in the Indian Community Centre here which was attended by scores of devotees. As per the Indian Standard Time, the event took place during the wee hours on Sunday.
In the following order, the celestial event was conducted by Archakas amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras.
Punahavachanam: This is a sanctifying ritual conducted to cleanse all the articles, and premises before the commencement of the celestial marriage.
Vishwaksena Aradhana: Lord Vishwaksena happens to be the Commander-in-Chief of Lord Venkateswara who supervises the ritual and hence His blessings were invoked.
The purified water in the Kalasam is sprinkled on all the articles in Homakundam and Mantapam.
Ankurarpana: Next followed Ankurarpana which signifies a healthy beginning before any ritual. The Asta Dikpalakas were invoked and worshiped in this ritual.
Pratisara Bandhana: This is yet another main part of the celestial wedding where the sacred Kankanams (holy threads) are tied to the right hand of the Lord and left hand of His Consorts while the ritual-performing priests tie it to their right hands only. Swasti Sooktam was recited.
Agni Pratishta: Then followed Agni Pratista where the pious Agni was lit and Prayaschitta Homam was performed.
Vastra Samarpana: After the Agni Pratistha new set of silk vastrams were offered to deities.
Maha Sankalpam: Then the important phase of the ritual, Maha Sankalpam was performed where in the descendent of the Tallapaka family (the family which dedicated their lives in the service of Lord Venkateswara for the last 600 years) performed Kanyadanam on behalf of Goddesses.
Kanyadanam: In any Hindu Marriage, Kanyadanam occupies a prominent place. Here the Gotra Pravaras of Lord and His Consorts were recited by the priests
Bharadwaja Gotram – Lord Venakteswa
Bhargava Gotram – Goddess Sri Devi
Kasyapa Gotram – Goddess Bhu Devi
Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam: The Divine Wedding Ceremony came to a grand end with, Mangalya Dharana where Lord Venkateswara tied the Holy Mangala Sutrams to His beloved Consorts.
Varana Mayiram: This is a prominent and most entertaining phase usually performed during South Indian Hindu Weddings. The Lord and His Consorts played with floral balls and coconuts facing each other. (Here the priests and Tallapaka descendent performed this ritual on behalf of the deities). After this, the garlands of deities were also exchanged.
Aarti: After the conclusion of the pleasant “Love Game”, the Consorts were seated on either side of the Lord, with Sridevi taking the Right side and Bhudevi occupying the left place of Maha Simhasanam.
Finally, Karpoora Aarati, Nakshatra Aarati, and Maha Aarti were rendered marking the grand conclusion of the Celestial Wedding Ceremony.
Sri YV Subba Reddy along with his wife Smt Swarnalatha, AP NRT Chairman Shri Medapati Venka, SVBC board Director Damarukam Srinivasa Reddy, Rathnakar Pandugayala- USA Special Representative, Sridhar Korsapati- NATA President and others were also present.
The devotees cherished every moment with religious ecstasy.