Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Britney's visit

Well, I think this is all very silly because after all, she is just another person going to the temple for a visit. But still, it is sort of fun...and Narasimha's complete disinterest is amusing, although when I told him that her personal fortune was about $150 million, he was pretty impressed with such success. Singers and actors in India are celebrities but have nowhere near that kind of wealth, and certainly not at such a young age.



In the photo above Narasimha is explaining to her the Vishnu/Lakshmi/Bhoomi Devi puja that was taking place. Next to Narasimha is Krishnamacharya, the 2nd Chief Priest of the temple (who didn't know her either!).



She toured the entire temple complex leaving either impressed or confused temple visitors in her wake! People either recognized her immediately or not at all which was pretty amusing.

In the main Balaji temple they put up a cloth as a screen so she could have some privacy during her puja.



She was very sweet to Narasimha whom she seemed to enjoy. She clearly felt the blessings and peacefulness of her pujas, and promised to come back again soon.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Sudarshana/Narasimha Yagya - Malibu - Jan 2006

Narasimha Bhattar performed the yagya with his usual skill and power. Here he is offering ghee into the yagya fire.



In the background you see the fruit offerings. In the foreground you see the bowl of ghee with an entire dried coconut in it. The coconut is a traditional offering during Sudarshana and Narasimha yagyas.



Narasimha recited a long series of special mantras for the yagya from his father's years of research.



As always, the yagya was a colorful event with fresh fruit, flowers, and coconuts.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Lakshmi Temple Yagya - Kanchipuram - January, 2006

Our first temple yagya of the year took place at a Vishnu temple in the Kanchipuram. We have not held a temple yagya here before, and it is typical of many of the smaller temples in South India. Note the unpaved street and the red stripes on the wall which identify the area as a temple.



The main entrance is decorated with a strand of mango leaves and a nice statue of Vishnu.



Inside the temple you can see the entrance to the sanctum with the Vishnu murti in the center. You can see on either side of the door Vishnu's guardians (Jaya and Vijaya) dressed in orange and white dhotis. There are some great stories about them in the Ramayana.



Vishnu is always found with two goddesses; Lakshmi on the left and Bhoomi Devi on the right. As is typical, they are all wearing their raksha; silver armor made with wonderful traditional handmade craftsmanship.



As you can see the murtis are quite large; about 5 feet high. Here they have been prepared for the abishekam by being coated in sesame oil and washed with water.



Then large quanties of milk are poured over the murtis, followed by other items such as yogurt, coconut juice, turmeric, etc. After each ingredient is finished, the priests perform a brief puja with offerings of fruit, and camphor light.



The abishekam ends with scented sandalwood.



The murtis are then dressed in new silk saris (from our group) and new flower malas. This photo is of the Lakshmi. The stone murti is in the rear, and the brass "festival" murti is in front.



The large scale murtis are fully dressed as are the festival murtis, as seen in the following images.





Afterwards the temple looked beautiful!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

New Year's Day Yagya - Bangalore - Jan 2006

On New Year's Day Seetharam visited a very old temple for Ganesha, Agni, and Shiva in Bangalore. It is well over 1,000 years old and was originally in a cave. Over the years the temple buildings have been constructed around it.





The courtyard of the temple is unique in that it contains very a very large trisul (Shiva's trident) and a disc that symbolizes the sun as seen below.



In the below photo you can see the entrance to the temple.



This year, Seetharam was not allowed to take photos inside the temple. But, from last year's event the following photos will give you an idea of the interior. You see the rough hewn granite pillars supporting the roof and a doorway straight ahead. In the inner room is the Shiva lingam.



This is one of only a few murtis for Agni in all of India. Note the cave ceiling.



It was a great way to start the New Year. Thanks to all who participated.