Pujya Sri Swamiji sculpting open the eyes of the Venkateswara idol (Akshi Mochanam)
Pujya Sri Swamiji sculpting open the eyes of the Ganapati idol
At 7 am Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at Nada Mantapam. The rituals at Garuda Mantapam commenced at 8 am. Dhanvantari and Navagraha Homas were conducted today. The scriptures describe Dhanvantari as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the predominant grace of Healing. The Navagrahas are the nine planets symbolised by the days of the week together with Rahu & Ketu. Incidentally these deities will be installed in the Temple on 23rd June, 1999.
Later Sri Swamiji performed Akshi Mochanam (sculpting open the eyes of the idols) for all the idols that are to be consecrated on the 23rd.
After offering Purnahuti for Dhanvantari Homa, Pujya Sri Swamiji, in the speech preached about the necessity of curbing one's egoism gradually by self control, diet control, listening to the gospel of the Guru and by leading the life of principles and spiritual practices.
In the evening in the Garuda Mantapa, Sri Swamiji conducted a 'Question-Answer' session. Two eminent scholars, namely Sri Telakapalli Viswanatha Sharma of Hyderabad and Sri. Kuppa Venkata Krishna Murthy, Vidyadhikari of Datta Peetham, Mysore, gave detailed authoritative answers in simple terms to questions asked by Pujya Sri Swamiji.
The first question was on the marks that are applied on the forehead and body with Kumkum, Vibhuti etc. They replied that it is a scientific method of increasing one's concentration for spiritual elevation and physical well being.
The next question was about the significance of the food offerings (Naivedya) to God. The reply was that if the food is offered to God and thereafter consumed, it will have the blessing of the Lord by which one's body and spirit are nourished in a benevolent way, leading to peace at home and everywhere. One must not forget to say prayers to God before taking food. Different religions stipulate this. In order to inculcate the brotherhood of man and oneness of God, Sri Swamiji commands the all devotees respectfully chant "Datta Stava" before taking food. Datta being the universal perception and also the creator, protector and Annihilator, that is Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Later Sri Swamiji offered Purnahuti for Navagraha Homa.
Pujya Sri Swamiji beside the Padmavati idol after sculpting open the eyes
Pujya Sri Swamiji sculpting
open the eyes of the Utsava Murthy
(procession idol) idol of Padmavati
Sri Swamiji is standing
inside the enclosure where all the idols are kept till they are
consecrated in the Temple. Sri Swamiji sculpts as the Veda Pundits chant
the Vedas
The idol sculptor Sri. Kanaka Ratnam Sthapati forming the eyes of the Venkateswara idol
Various Kalashas which will adorn the Temple towers