The moment of reckoning had come. The much-awaited day for the devotees in Vijayawada had arrived. The Consecration of Raja Rajeshvari idol in Vijayawada Ashrama had to take place. Sri Swamiji had made the historic decision to install the green colored (Marakatha) stone of Mother Goddess Raja Rajeshvari. It was to happen today.
At 8.18 AM, Sri Swamiji made the journey to the Kshipra Ganapati Temple (the presiding deity of Ashrama here) and Arati was performed. Sri Swamiji then had the Darshan of Shyama Kamala Lochana Dattatreya and arrived in the new Devi Temple at 8.32 AM. Sri Yajulu (the consecration officiating priest) was ready with the team of Veda Pundits to commence the Yantra Pratishtha (the sacred Devi diagram on Gold sheet to be placed under the Devi idol). Sri Swamiji sat on the seat to the left in the sanctum sanctorum and started the performance of the rituals. Placing the nine precious stones, pouring mercury and other esoteric and spiritual materials as prescribed in the Shastras, sprinkling water with knotted Darbha (sacred Kusha grass) Pavitra in all directions, doing so, Sri Swamiji continued the installation process. At 09.03 AM, Sri Swamiji took the golden Yantra in His sacred hands and held it for a couple of minutes in deep silence and meditation. At five minutes past nine AM, 09.05 AM in the middle of the most auspicious Meena Lagna as the right zodiac signs fell in their most auspicious place, Sri Swamiji placed the Yantra in the small pit that was carved in the stone pedestal. It was the divine moment Sri Swamiji had chosen to consecrate the temple. The auspicious event had taken place. Sri Swamiji left the temple premises and went to the stage for Sri Chakra Puja. The sculptor and his assistants started to move the idol and fix the idol in its pedestal.
After the Puja, important donors who had contributed for the construction of the temple and the conduct of rituals were honored. S.P.Entertainment group’s new movie, yet to be named was Blessed by Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji released two books. A book in Telugu called Sri Devi Puja, which contains the Sankara Bhagavatpada’s Devi Manasa Puja and Sri Swamiji’s Devi Nava Avarana Compositions. The book was prepared by Koochibhatla Chandrashekhara Sharma and donated by Vasundharamma Chowdhury. The Second book “Tripura” contains the new Devi Bhajans (from Tripura audio cassette) composed by Swamiji with their translation in Hindi language.
At 11AM, Sri Swamiji was received with Poorna Kumbha near the Guru Nilaya and proceeded to Yaga Shaala (consecration ritual assembly).There the Maha Purnahuti was offered to the Pratishtha Yaaga. Sri Swamiji then carried the Kumbhabhisheka Kalasha and ascended the ramp to reach the temple tower. Arriving there, it was exhilarating to see the mass of people in all places where they could catch a glimpse of Sri Swamiji. Tree tops, Building tops, roads, bus top, all available free space around was full of people. Police estimated that over 25,000 people had come to watch the Kumbhabhishekam. Sri Swamiji looked around and then started to pour the water from the Kumbha to the gold tipped Bindu of the Sumeru shaped temple Gopura. Vedic chants pierced the hush and lull that prevailed. The Nada Swaram (traditional pipers) played on. Sri Swamiji continued with the Kumbhabhishekam, pouring water from different Kalashas. At 12 noon the ritual was over. Then Sri Swamiji whispered sacred and secret Mantras to the tower. Thereafter from the tower, Sri Swamiji spoke in a choking and emotional voice.
Click here for the text of the speech.
The devotee mass repeated Sri Swamiji’s call for victory to Truth and Dharma. As Sri Swamiji emotionally invoked the Blessings of Mother Goddess to the trouble torn world, all around people were in tears. Many people later said that it was one of the most profound speech of Sri Swamiji they have heard. After the Kumbhabhishekam to the tower, Sri Swamiji Blessed those around with a coin.
Sri Swamiji then proceeded to the temple tower of Shyama Kamala Lochana Dattatreya and performed Kumbhabhisheka. This was the first 12-year Kumbhabhisheka to the Datta temple here. Navagraha temple Kumbhabhisheka too was performed.
Sri Swamiji returned to the Devi Temple. The idol had been installed in its place and the Prana Pratishtha (invocation of soul) had been completed. Sri Swamiji performed Abhishekam to the Marakatha Raja Rajeshvari and the Maanikya Sumeru. Thousands of people jostled around inspite of massive volunteer corps trying their best to control them. All of those present had a single point program. Have a glimpse of Sri Swamiji and Marakatha Raaja Rajeshvari together. The Ashrama was choking full with the devout. One could see people worshipping the Dhwaja Sthambha stone pillar with Kumkum, camphor, coconut breaking and prostrating to it. Within hours it looked like a ancient stone pillar, which was in use and worship for centuries. The look on the face of the people was pregnant with a happy feeling that the Raja Rajeshvari Devi has been put in to life for the sake of the community.
The Annadana (mass feeding) program was next. Over 60 cooks, 300 serving assistants could not put down their hands for a minute as they busied themselves to feed the 25,000 who had come. Sweet Laddu was given as Prasadam. The foresight of the Vijayawada Ashrama Trustees to procure more land area for this purpose lives up.
At 2.45 people came in a queue and offered Kalashas for Abhishekam, which was performed to the Utsava Vigrahas (procession idols). The main deity was decorated in golden cover and the glitter was unimaginably beautiful. The smiling face of the green Devi idol emanated special feeling, which instantly brought out a gentle and soothing peace and happiness. It continued up to 6 PM. Sri Swamiji came around 3.30 PM and carried a wooden stick and went about controlling crowd and causing discipline in the situation.
In the evening, Bhajans and discourse was held at 7 PM. Sri Swamiji sang the Dhyana Shloka and First Nava Avarana song from Tripura and explained its meaning in Telugu.
Sri Swamiji performed Maha Mangala Arati at 8 PM to mother Goddess. Sri Swamiji stood out side the temple and offered the Arati. Sri Swamiji then went around the temple and put flowers to the Nava Durga idols sculpted on the walls around the temple. Thereafter Sri Swamiji put money in the three Hundis and inaugurated them.
While returning to Guru Nilaya, Sri Swamiji paused in front of the temple and enjoyed the Sumeru tower shining brightly in front of the starry sky. Behind the tower was the black tapestry with glittering stars.
Sri Swamiji smiled and retired.
Thus concluded the day on which the historic Devi Raja Rajeshvari was consecrated in one of the most beloved Ashramas of Sri Swamiji - VIJAYAWADA.