CHICAGO: On the auspicious day of Narasimha Chaturdashi, the Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, a Chicago suburb, decorated the shrine colorfully and was crowded with devotes coming with children to celebrate the event with great endeavor. The celebration was on Saturday April 28.
The Mandir celebrated this festival for the first time because the temple wanted to create awareness about all Hindu deities among children. The celebrations began at 11 am, with an ornate Abhishekam and for the deities namely, Shri Ganesh, Shri Narasimha and Shri Sudarshan with sacred water, fruit juices, and flowers by Pt. Ganesh Ji.
The Lords were also adorned with new dresses and jewelries. Lord Vishnu Sahasranamam Patham was performed for the protection of society from evil. After this special Pooja, the Lord received an offering of varieties of Bhoga items. Melodious Bhajans were sung by Rita Patel accompanied by Athul Soni and Kamalesh Desai.
Devotees welcomed the entry of children in the form of Bhakta Prahlad and Narad. Narad gave Guru Mantra “Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya” to Bhakta Prahlad. Later, Lord Narasimha was also welcomed by Pt. Joshi and Pt. Ganesh along with devotees with much devotion and Aarti.
Female devotees welcomed the Lord by tossing fragrant flowers and sounds of Shanku/divine conch. He entered the temple shrine in his gorgeous appearance with an attractive Kaumodaki gada (mace) in his right hand. Then devotees witnessed the end of Hiranyakashipu and realized that the
Lord Narasimha is an iconic symbol of creative challenge, hope against odds, victory over persecution, and destruction of evil. Lord Narasimha appears anywhere and in form to protect his devotees.
Pt. Joshi blessed all devotees for long and healthy life, full of happiness, success, and peace. The festival culminated with a grand Aarti and Prasadam.
