Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago celebrates Ramanavami

Chicago IL: HTGC celebrated Ramanavami, the three day Janmotsav festival in gaiety and faith. The celebrations marked the culmination of nine day-long-auspicious Chaitra navaratra festival with Ram Katha discourse by Pundit Ram Parsad Sastri and Sundara Kanda paarayanam by Priest Narasimhacharyulu. Sundara Kandam comprising of 2885 shlokas or verses is significant in the entire Ramayana. Sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman (also known as Sundara), whose attitude always reminds us self-confidence, faith and devotion to Rama, fearlessness and trustworthiness. Reading one chapter or sargam of Sundara Kandam is equal to chanting Gayatri japam 1000 times.

The power of Rama Nama Japa is well known to all. Our Priest Sri Krishnarajan narrated – In the epilogue to the great Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Parvathi asks Lord Shiva: How do the wise chant the thousand names in brief? And Lord Shiva responds with the well-known couplet “Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame” Rama Nama, he says, is singularly equal to the thousand names.
In Ashtaakshari “Om namo NaaRaarayanaaya ‘ Raa’ is the Beejaakasharam . Similarly Ma is Beejasksharam in Shadaskshari “Om NaMashivaaya. The two Beejaaksharaas together is” Raama”. Letter ‘ Raa’ has a value of 2 and letter Ma has a value of 5. Multiplied together makes it 10. Singing Raama, Raama, Raamethi would make it 1000 {(2×5) x (2×5) x (2×5) =1000}

Ram Navami was celebrated with great pomp as devotees presented offerings to Lord Ram at dawn and continued throughout the day. At noon, the time when Lord Ram is said to have been born, devotional songs were sung in his praise. The festival is celebrated by performing Sita and Rama’s Kalyanam. Bridal ceremony by Sumangalis preparing bride Sri Sita Devi on the 30th March and kalyanotsavam on March 31st by over 800 devotees under the guidance of Priest Narasimhacharyulu with chanting and support by Sayekrishna, Murali Kidambi also was a celebration for one and all. Celebrations like such has been an education to youngsters and local communities interest to learn other cultures and significance. Flower alankaram of 2012 Ramanavami gave a moment of Bliss and memories to last long. Kalyanotsavam came to conclusion with a delicious kalyana bojanam made possible by many Annadanam devotees. Celebrations concluded with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam on April 1st followed by Sri Rama’s ardent devotee Sri Hanuman carrying Sri Sita Rama parivaara on his shoulder around the temple prakaaram.

Suresh Bodiwala
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