Tuesday, 24th February

As a sequel to the Maha Shivrathri celebrations in Avadhoota Datta Peetham, the traditional Girija Kalyana function took place today evening. Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country had gathered to witness the function. The function commenced at 5.30 p.m. with the traditional Vedic chants by the Peetham Pundits. Many dignitaries had gathered including the Former president of India Sri.R.Venkatraman.

Girija Kalyanam is the event where Lord Shiva marries Girija. The celestial betrothel is observed in our tradition to bring about unity in our families and to enhance the spiritual values in our society. Human beings cannot attend to glorify godly nature, but can be done only when devotion to god is most prominent.

His Holiness graced the function. His Holiness said that when man gets off his ego and eyeliness by means of Sadguru Seva or by the path shown by elders, he will consider body as a temple of Lord Shiva. He will no more be contacted by negative thoughts. Shivrathri is such an occasion, when Lord Shiva relives the form of Sadguru.

On this occasion, "Jagadguru Vilasam"a book on the religious and spiritual advance of Adi Shankaracharya written by Sri. Badala Ramaiah was released by His Holiness. Later the author of the book was honoured by Shri. R.Venkatraman.

After the Girija Kalyanam festivities in the prayer hall , the deities were kept in the traditional Pallakki (Palanquin) and was carried in a procession along the ring road of the Ashrama with all the devotees singing and dancing in joy for this function.

Girija Kalyana

Pujya Sri Swamiji releasing the book "Jagadguru Vilasam"

Sri. Badala Ramaiah speaking about the book.
Sri. R. Venkataraman is seated to the left of His Holiness.