Sadgurudeva in Memphis

Jeernoddharana of Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Anyone could witness the religious enthusiasm, the vigour and fervour with which the consecratory ceremonies  took place from 14th of June to 20th of June 2005 at Memphis, Tennessee in USA.  In the village of Eads sixteen years ago, a few acres of land were bought by Dr. Duggirala Prasad and his wife Dr. Vijaya and other committee members including Dr. Raghavalu, Dr. Ramanathan and other interested people.  It was tough going for all of them to visualize a temple of this stature what we see today. There were obstructions, difficulties, and hurdles of all sorts to over come to realize a Hindu zeal.  Because of difficult economic situation, the members were pushed to go on a determined fundraising drive. Dr. Vijaya’s commitment was great. The efforts were not futile and what we can see today is something unbelieveable.

It was a question of  “Hindu Identity” for Dr. Duggirala and others and giving spiritual depth to the followers of the community.  The “India Cultural Center and Hindu Temple was registered many years ago.  At the leadership of Dr. Duggirala, works began from 1996 onwards.  Land was cleared and facilities were erected. 

Reflecting upon the need for all communities to come, the central diety  for the temple would be “Lord Prasanna Venkateswara” with other “Parivara  Devathas” being established.  On the right of Venkateswara, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Andala on the left, Rama Parivaram in the nearby left shrine, Radhakrishna on the right,  Lord Muruga Subramanya, Lord Shiva, Nataraja,  Godess Parvati, Garuda, Anjaneya in the front entrance were established.  Lord Ganesh is prominently to the far right of Lord Venkateswara. 

The perspective must be turned now to consecratory ceremonies to be done on this occasion. Learned priests and scholars came from various Hindu temples across the United States.  The Hindu temple of New York sent their Chief Priest, The Temples at Malibu, Los Angeles (California), Chicago (Illinois) and the Datta temple at Baton Rouge (Louisiana) sent their Priests to the occasion. There was ample religious freedom and will to perform all the homas, adhivasas, for all the  deities, and elaborate religious arrangements in the adjacent hall which  is also newly constructed.  It was a clear demonstration of will of all devotees, volunteers, workers, staff and more than all, the GRACE of HIS HOLINESS SRI SRI GANAPATI SACHCHIDANANDA SWAMIJI OF AVADHOOTA DATTA PEETHAM, MYSORE, INDIA. Sri Swamiji had come to Memphis in 2001 to see the place and gave many directions for the construction of the temple.  The committee heeded to the instructions of Sri Swamiji.  Swamiji stood firmly behind Dr. Duggirala and Vijaya. The committee mobilized enough funding and the project took off.

Attention was paid to the meticulousness in “Temple Architecture” and subtleties of caricature and carving the temple properly.  The well known Indian Temple Architect and “Stapati” MUTTAIAH STAPATI” directed the temple works and proper Prakaras  were done.  By pointing out the sensitivities that are attached to temple works, all actions were seriously taken up according to suggestions of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. All this has now produced a wonderful, appealing temple structure consecrated by Sri GANAPATI SACHCHIDANANDA SWAMIJI HIMSELF.  Sri Swamiji arrived in Memphis from Canada on the 14th and got into the detailed survey and held several meetings on the premises. Defending the need for a temple of this dimension, Sri Swamiji said _ “ It is Historical and most needed at this time of History”.  We have to keep spiritualizing our existence on this planet.  We have see and experience the Truth that sustains our faith. “There is unprecedented leap in faith in God and seekers are more and more in this part of the world. This temple complex will fulfill this task”- he said. “Devotion, faith and sustained spiritual activities will make this temple further beautiful and alive”- he said. The humid highland of Eads has become sacred and important today. The committee of the temple has worked very hard and dedicated themselves to this project. This “Kumbhabhishekam of Lord Prasanna Venkateswara” is a “crowning ceremony” and it is a wonderful sight. The ultimate handiwork of Lord Almighty who rules this universe, we are small atoms. It is our duty to create natural spiritual environment and do selfless service to Him.  We hereby fulfill the creative urge of Memphis devotees.”  Dr. Duggirala praised the high vision of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and his divine life and mission in life.  “From the plateau of Mysore in South India to the West Coast and from North to South he is moving and traveling to bring Dharmic values to people and we need to follow his footprints.  Younger generations have to take heed of his advice and work towards Dharmic values.”

ICCT AND HINDU TEMPLE stands for UNITY in spiritual perspectives. “ Unity” is the slogan of this consecration amongst Hindus and various communities.  Sri Swamiji said the  “Hindu temple of Memphis has a critical role to play in the lives of people around this place and USA in general.” “Comforting suggestions and divine guidance will come from the heart of this Prasanna Venkata temple”said Sri Swamiji. ‘Your faith and firm conviction’ will grow and this will be passed on to the younger generation. Economic growth and spiritual growth should go on parallelly.  You should not suffer from intellectual poverty” said Sri Swamiji.

What took place each day?

15th June Wed. 8:30 am:  Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji was received with “Poorna Kumbha Swagatam” by the twenty five temple priests (Hindu temples) from the various parts of  United States. He was taken to the area where Moola vigrahas were placed and “Utsava murthis were placed”.  The opening ceremonies took place beginning with “Vishvaksena Pujanam and Aaradhanam”, “Kalasha  Stapanam”  all took place. Throughout the day the ceremonies continued and “Maha Mangalarati took place at 9:00pm that evening. Sri Swamiji performed the regular  “SREE CHAKRA WORSHIP in the morning.”

16th of June Thur: As the priests continued with ceremonies  with the beginning fire ceremonies  (Agni Prajvalanam) and using the ancient method of “Churning and creating the fire in the wood” (which  took much time here).  Sree Chakra Puja took place in the main temple hall.  Then, Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies took place along with bhajans and discourses by Sri Swamiji.  Throughout the day there were several ceremonies in which devotees took part and became sevakartas.

The devotees sang and danced in ecstasy.“Annadanam”seva (meals) were twice provided by an efficient kitchen staff.

17th June, Fri: The Homas (fire ceremonies) continued along with Adhivasas  for the images of  Lord Shiva, Parvati, Hanuman, Garudar, Subramanya,  Radhakrishna, Laksmi, Ramaparivar, Sabarigiri Ayyappa, Natarajar, and many  other deities.  They were all spread out in front area of the Temple for devotees to have a darshan.  Abhishekam  (ceremonial bathing of all the deities with milk, honey, curd, sugar and ghee took place.  Laying the deities in flower bedeck also took place.  Swami Manasa Datta of Datta Peetham Mysore gave a vigorous and inspiring Sankeertan session to the gathering. 

The highlight of the program on the cultural scene was

“KATHAK and BHARAT NATYAM JUXTAPOSITION and HARMONY by famous artists from Maharastra state. Artist Parimal Phadke and Kumari Anajani were fantastic in their footwork and dance performance. 

18th June, Sat:  The ceremonies reached an ecstatic height that morning as the murtis were brought within the temple for re-consecration.  There was great jubilation by thousands of people.  The fire ceremonies continued in the Yaga Shala with continuous chanting as well.

In the evening there was the BHAJAN PROGRAM by Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji and his troupe from Mysore.  It was scintillating and inspiring to all. 

19th June, Sun:  The “Ratnanyasas: took place. Jewels were placed in the pedestals where deities were placed permanently.  Mahakumbhabhishekam took place at 6:00am by all the priests headed by Sri Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji performed the “MAHA SAMPROKSHANAM” to Lord Prasanna  Venkateswara  Swami.  The remaining kumbhabhsishekams were completed by the other priests.

There was devotional singing program by Mrs. SHOBA RAJU  from  HYDERBAD, INDIA. She rendered scintillating bhajans of Annamacharya. 

Sri Swamiji spoke on “Bhavasamadhi of Lord Radhakrishna the principles of Gopikas.  He wrote couplets in Kannada language and treated all with laughter.  Sri Swamiji was very modest and appeared in all the scenes during Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies. He sat for hours together and watched and talked to people and accepted Padkuka Pujas.

The ICCT function was a great  celebration of religious  fanfare and piety. 

Sri Swamiji’s next stop in this tour of United States is Charlotte, South Carolina.

Compiled by Manasa Datta & assisted by Hanuman Hoffman

The Side view of the Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Sri Swamiji inaugurating the Yaga Shala complex. The chief Vaishnava priest, Sri Satyanarayana Acharya is on the right. The chairman of the Temple, Sri Duggirala Prasad and his wife Smt.Vijaya Prasad are on Sri Swamiji's left
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Sri Swamiji ties Kankana on the wrist of Sri Srinivasacharya, priest of Livermore temple in California. He was one of the guest priests who conduced teh ceremonies

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Sri Swamiji offering prayers in the Shaiva Agama Shrine in the Yaga Shala
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The inside of the temple. All Vaishnava Temples are on the eastern side (Lord Srinivasa, Goddess Padmavathy and Andal, Sri Rama Parivar and Sri Radha Krishna shrines) and on the western side are the shrines of Chandra Mouleeshvara (Lord Shiva), Goddess Parvathy, Maha Ganapathy, Subramanya and Aiyappa.
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Sri Swamiji placing Yantram in the Sri Rama and Seetha Shrine
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Sri Swamiji honoring Sri Mutaiah Sthapathy, the chief architect of the Temple design
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Guru Karunamayee Maa visited the temple on 18th June and Blessed the event with a discourse
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Puja being offered to the new Sahasranama Mala - to be adorned on Lord Balaji for the first time in the temple. The Mala contains 1008 coins with the Vishnu Sahasranama inscribed on each coin
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Lord Balajiadorned with the Sahasranama Mala
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Sri Swamiji offers Maha Purnahuti of the Vaikhanasa Agama Homas in the Yaga Shala
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Sri Swamiji about to offer Maha Purnahuti of the Shaivagama Homas
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Sri Swamiji carrying the sacred Kalasha for Kumbhabhishekam
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The hoist crane carrying Sri Swamiji, the Kalasha and the chief priest climbs to the Vimana Gopura of Lord Balaji
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Sri Swamiji performs Kumbhabhishekam of Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy in the Indian Cultural Center and Temple, Memphis
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Milk Abhishekam to Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy
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Sri Swamiji perfoms Arati to the wonderfully decorated Balaji
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Sri Swamiji in the Balaji Shrine
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Govinda - GOVINDA
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Sri Swamiji composed hundreds of Kannada poems (Chutuka Padya) during the stay in Memphis
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A close up of Sri Swamiji's poem manuscript
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The Prana Pratishtha of the idols conincided with the Birthday of Sri Swamiji (according the Chandramaana calendar system) Jyeshtha Maasa Shukla Ekadashi
Sri Duggirala Prasad and Smt.Vijaya Prasad performed Pada Puja on behalf of devotees
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