Sahastra Ksheer Kalash ceremony and devotees
CHICAGO: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) celebrated 25 years of its existence on a grand scale here recently.
The temple built and inaugurated in February 1986 has notched huge following and its annual attendance now stands at about 10,000. The Pranapratistapana of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana vigrahas was performed in the same year. A committee under the leadership of Sri L. Bhima Reddy, Rajatotsavam Chair, and Smt. Prasanna Reddy, HTGC President, started the process of organizing Silver Jubilee celebrations in January 2011.
During the first fifteen years, from 1986 to 2001, dedicated and devoted leaders led the efforts in an exemplary way to build and develop the Ramalaya, the GSD Temple, the Community Hall, parking lots, acquisition of additional land and an apartment complex of six priest quarters.
“The next ten years, from 2001 onwards, hard working leaders have streamlined the operations, reduced the debt burden, renovated the entire temple including major repairs to the Rajagopuram and Ramalaya, built parikramas around both temples, built the Vivekananda Plaza as well as the Vivekananda Spiritual Center, built Steps to Ramalaya from the Vivekananda Plaza and executed a major expansion of the GSD temple. All these efforts have culminated in HTGC emerging as one of the most beautiful temples in the World” said Bhima Reddy, Past President and Chair, Rajtosavam
The committee had decided to celebrate the Rajatotsavam from June 8-12th as per the suggestion of Priest Narasimhacharyulu. The entire temple complex received a facelift and underwent a full relighting with most of the work being carried out by volunteer devotees. “We were able to secure the services of five priests from our sister temples in North America to join our five priests for this event. All puja material (dravyams), vastrams for the deities and 1008 Kalasams were imported from Chennai,” Bhima Reddy added
The five-day event began on Tuesday June 7 with Ankurarapanam. Agnipratishata yagam was performed on June 8, Vishwakasena yagam. Moola mantra homam, Yagam and other puja rituals invoking preparations for the five days led to the Maha Samprokshan Kumbabhishekam on Saturday, June 11. At the conclusion of sanctifying the rajagopurams, priests led the devotees to the Moola vigrahas and started the Abhishekams. This was the time all gods (idols) moved back from Balalayam to their main locations. Devotees were singing bhajans and devotional songs.
HTGC Executive committee and Rajatotsavam committee recognized the yeoman service of all 11 shilpis from India along with HTGC shilpis for the Indianization work.
On Sunday, June 12 , the day began with Suprabatham, Nityaradhana and Naivedyam while many volunteers and devotees were setting up the 1008 Kalashas in the main hall in front of Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana with the watchful eyes of Hanuman and devotees chanting “Ramchandra parivar ki jai”. The service of Senior Priest Sri Krishnarajan who has been with the temple for 25 years was recognized. All the devotees were served with delicious food “Annadahanam”
Cultural program for Rajatotsavam started on Friday the June 10 with recognition of all the past 19 presidents of HTGC for their dedication and their continuous support and service. Priest Sri Krishnarajan honored each of the president present with a shawl and blessings. President Prasanna Reddy thanked past presidents for their dedicated service. This was followed with a grand music concert by well-known Bollywood singers Kavita Krishnamurthy and Suresh Wadkar accompanied by Hitesh master and his orchestra SaReGaMa.
“On Saturday the June 11, the devotees were treated to a variety of cultural programs starting with SRI Ramaganam “Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam.” by Rajaveena School of Music. It was a beautiful rendition of the ballet with 22 performers on stage, with Smt Rajeswari leading on the Veena accompanied by Mridangam,Tabla, and the singers. The Journey of Kathak by Tarana Dance Academy was choreographed by Mrs. Sheetal Dhanani. She brought out the true essence of Kathak, though associated mainly with North India.
Next was Bhavayami Raguramam by Nrithyanjali School of Dance. Teacher Smt. Sushmita Arunkumar along with her students presented a soul-stirring Ramayana. This song composed by Maharaja Swati Tirunal each of the six Charanams describes one Kandam corresponding to Valmiki’s version of Ramayan all in 40 minutes of Bharat Natyam.
Following Bharat Natyam, it was Abhinavam – a Kuchipudi presentation by Aananda Dance Theater. A very young choreographaer & teacher Janaki Anandavalli Nair and her students presented “Jaya Jaya Swamin”, a Ganesha stuthi , “Om Parashakthi” in praise of Sr. Mookambika Devi and “Kuchipudi with Oriental drums.”
Those present were entertained with “Ensemble of Ragas” by Saraswathi Ranganathan on Veena and her Group of Flamenco Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Drums, Mridangam, Tabla, Ghatam & Maracas. A very modern style of Carnatic Music kept everyone drumming their fingers.
In keeping with the celebration of Rama Temple, there was “Rama Naamamaa Krishna Naamamaa” by Bharatam Academy of Dance Arts, choreographed by Smt. Vanitha Veeravalli and performed by Vanitha & her students. The second dance was “Kannan Varugindra Neram” a kavadi chindu on Lord Krishna.
The Grand Finale for the evening was “Mahishasura Mardhini” Kuchipudi dance ballet presented by Kuchipudi Natya Vihar, featuring Sri Pasumurthy Venkateswara Sarma as Mahishasura and Sobha Tammama as Sakthi & Parvathi. With a team of 12 other artists, this was one ballet that got standing ovation from the audience. The auditorium was packed till the finale which ended with Vote of Thanks by Rupa Acharya who gratefully acknowledged the help rendered by HTGC president Prasanna Reddy, Trustees, all the performers for the evening, Co-host Arun Murthy and Usha Pariti.
The Sunday June 12 Cultural program began with spiritual discourse by Dr. Medasani Mohan. “Medasani Mohan gaaru, an extra ordinary Avadhaani who performed Pancha Sahastra Avadhanam a rare literary task, narrated Ramayana in a nutshell. The second part of the program was presented by Natya Dance Theatre “Divya Chethana”. The principal dancer Krithika Rajagopalan with her team of 10 other dancers kept members of the audience rooted to their seats till the end.
President Prasanna Reddy and Rajatotsavam chair Bhima Reddy thanked all the priests, temple staff, executive committee members, past presidents, committee chairs, many volunteers, Mayors of local community, India consulate representatives, advertisers and writers of articles for the 25th year commemorative souvenir and devotees.
Surendra Ullal
