Devara Puja workshop - a Brief Report !

Here is a brief report on the Devara Puja workshop conducted at UM Malkajgiri.

The workshop was a success with Sri Padmanabha Acharya conducting it very well. While close to 15 bhaktas from different parts of the city participated as actors, another 10-12 listened to the instructions of Acharya from the sidelines. People started assembling from 8 AM and by 9:15 everybody had completed snAna, sandhyAvandana etc and were ready for the main event to start. Copies of Sankshipta Devapuja Paddhati in telugu by Pujya Sri Maligi Bhimachar(He was previously editor of Telugu Tattvavada magazine) were given out to all participants. Acharya went through the different upachAras one by one and explained the meanings of the mantras that are recited at each stage. He also gave details about different sampradayas where applicable.

Special emphasis was given on Naivedya especially on the anusandhana and chintana that is to be followed during that time. It is during Naivedya that we offer all our belongings and actions done during the whole day at the feet of the Lord, while He is feasting on His svAkhyarasa. The bhakta has to meditate upon the Aikya(identity) of his Bimba murthi, the rupa of the Lord in the idol(s), shAlagrAma and the rupa-s of the Lord in all the naivedya items offered.

By 12:15 PM, everyone had finished performing mangaLArati and were tying up their devara pettige-s. Sumptuous teertha prasada was served shortly after that.

Sri Padmanabhacharya clearly explained both the mantra and the tantra aspects of devara puja and was very patient in providing clarifications to all the queries of participants. We once again offer sAshTAnga pranamas to Acharya.

All the participants personally expressed their thanks to ITMS for conducting the workshop and wished that many more such events be conducted on a regular basis.

Please find photographs from the session below:

Regards
ITMS Malkajgiri team.

Pt. Sri Padmanabhachar instructing the delegates on the devarapooja

Participants in the midst of Devarapooja under the guidance of Pt. Sri Pamanabhachar

The shishyavarga of Sri Padmanabhachar closely guide the participants through the holy and mandatory ritual.

A few participants came in as observers.

A section of the participants.

"Devara Pooja Workshop" @ Malkajgiri on 24th June 2009

To sustain meeting the Objectives ITMS has set for itself, we are very pleased to announce the "Devara Pooja Workshop" to be held this time at Sri Uttaradi Mutt, Malkajgiri under the guidance Pt. Sri Padmanabhacharya on 28th June 2009 (SUNDAY).

This workshop is envisaged to be of a great learning experience as the participants are expected to bring their Devara Pettige from home and a live demonstration on how each activity is to be performed will be guided by Acharya & his shishya's. The workshop participants will perform the complete devara pooja as instructed by Acharya. Each participant would also be provided with text in Devanagiri/Telugu lipi as needed.

Please find attached the POSTER giving out the exact details of the workshop, please review it very carefully for all the details.

Date: 28th June 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Venue: Shri Uttaradi Mutt, Malkajgiri
Instructed by: Pt. Sri Padmanabhacharya

To REGISTER for the workshop and for any other clarifications, kindly call
Vikram Rayabhari - 9985554503 or
Uday Kumar - 9704093663

You may also register by replying to this email or dropping a mail to madhva.sangha@ gmail.com.

Last Date for Registrations: 26th June 2009, 8 PM

Hareye Namaha
Regards
Vikram Rayabhari, Uday Kumar & Aditya Rao

NOTE: We want to restrict the workshop to < 20 participants to enhance the effectiveness and reduce logistical overhead. You are hereby requested to kindly register ASAP.

Sri Vijayeendra Theerthara Aaradhane

Namaskara All,
Shri Vijayeendra Theerthara Aaradhane was held on 21st June 2009 at the newly constructed house of Shri Shyam Tribhuvan. ITMS pitched in the last minute with several of it’s members participating actively in the program. The program started off with Shri Sumadhva Vijaya parayane, followed by Bhajane and then pravachana on the life history of Shri Vijayeendra Theertharu by three pundits, which included Pt. Sri Nagendra Prasada Acharya, Pt. Sri Sukeshacharya & Pt. Sri Padmanabhacharya. They all spoke about the life and achievements of Shri Vijayeendra Theertharu and his unique contributions in the forms of 104 works of extremely high value. They also spoke of his strong acumen in defeating other schools of thoughts and defeated his great contemporaries like Appaiah Dikshitar. This fountain of gnanakarya followed with Theertha Prasada for all devotees.

Please find some pictures taken during the event below.

Pt. Nagendraprasad Acharya delivering his lecture on his right is Pt. Padmanabhachar and to his left is Pt. Sukeshacharya.

Pt. Sukeshacharya addressing the gathering.

A section of the audience.

Grand Success of Dr.Prabhanjancharya's Lecture at Malkajgiri - 1st March 2009

Brief Report
First of all I thank all the ITMS members who had given continuous support and put efforts to make NGY at Malkajgiri today a great grand success. Today's program witnessed around 200+ people for the pravachana which itself proves that our efforts did not go waste. This is the only NGY which attracted more than 200 audiences.

Dr.Prabhanjanacharya spoke for about 2 hrs on the important essence of Ramayana. He compared how Sri Raghavendra Swamigalu lived life to that which was directed by Sri Ramachandra Devaru. He talked about the grantha "Rama Charitra Manjari" composed by Raghavendra Swamigalu and its greatness. He explained and proved that Sri Ramachandra devaru is Sarvothama with various examples and quotations from Ramayana. He answered many questions lingering in the minds of our people on the great epic Ramayana and especially by some section of our people indicating that Devaru may not Sarvothamma. He suggested everybody to read and do parayana of the grantha "Rama Charitra Manjari" which contains just 11 slokas but covering the whole Ramayana and it's essence composed by Raghavendra Swamigalu. There are many things to say. As I cannot type the whole 2hrs of pravachana, the whole pravachana has been recorded by Sri Aditya Avaru. Those who are interested can contact Sri Aditya at 9****04058 for a copy of the talk. Many Malkajgiri madhva bhandus requested us to invite Dr.V.Prabhanacharya for a week and make one more jnana karya to the benefit of everybody. All the audiences also thanked ITMS for conducting such wonderful pravachanas. All this has happened by the Anugraha of Hari, Vayu Gurugalu. Last but not the least, we all have to thank Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt management for providing us the platform to do all these jnana karya. Harey Namah Uday Sri Prabhanajacharyaru at his very best! Sri Vikram introducing the Achar and thanking Malkajgiri Mutt Sri Prasanna, Sri Prahaladachar, Sri Vikram & Sri Aditya look on. A section of the audience. Sri Vikram and Sri Aditya honouring Sri Prabhanajanacharya ITMS Members [L to R - Sitting] Sri Prasanna Kovalam & Sri Tribhuvan Shyam [L to R - Standing] Sri Sudheendra Das, Sri Vikram Rayabhari, Sri Vinay Kumar, Sri Sudheendra Srinvasan, Sri Aditya Rao, Sri Prabhanajacharya, Sri Uday, Sri Kamesh Pandurangi, Sri Pavan Kumar, Sri Prasanna Venkatesan

Sri Madhva Navami 2009 - Celebrated with Pomp & Grandeur

Namaskara All,
I would like to inform all our members that Sri Madhva Navami celebrated today by ITMS in association with Mantralaya Rayara Mutt, Malkajgiri was very colorful and highly successful. It is as if Sri Madhvarayaru himself directed & blessed the entire event and made it a grand function to reckon for all the sadvaishnavas in the twin cities.

Several sevas were offered to the lotus feet of Sri Madhvarayaru in parallel,

1) Sri Sumadhva Vijaya Parayana (all 16 sargas) led by Sri Jayaramachar and Sri Sukeshachar Jalihal in dhati. Several Shishya’s of Jayaramachar participated in the parayana, which in our opinion was one of the biggest seva’s.

2) Pallaki with Sri Sarvamoola Granthas was arranged & we took it on an Utsava Seva around a section of the area around Malkajgiri. Several Sadbhaktas came forward to perform Pallaki Seva to Sarvamoola granthas.

3) Rathotsava of Sarvamoola Granthas around the Rayara Sannidhana.

4) Bhajana seva by Bhajana Mandali’s from Sainikpuri and Malkajgiri. Several sumangali’s sang the tunes of lore of our Dasa’s in the seva of Sri Hari & Vayu.

5) Samoohika Pavamaana Homa led by Sri Rameshachar, about 70 people came forward to participate with Sankalpa in the homa karyakrama. All of us gathered for poornahuti and it zenith’ed into a fantastic event.

6) Panchamrutha Abhisheka with a grand recitation of Sri Hari Vayu Stuti.

7) Finally, it was the grand finale with Mangala of the pravachana of the great grantha Sri Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya, which was hosted by ITMS for 12 grand days. The mangala pravachana was delivered by Pt. Sukeshachar Jalihal.

Dr. Srinivasachar Varakhedi, his father and Sri Jayaramachar presided over the function as chief guests and delivered their ashirvachanas, which was well received by all sadbhaktas.

Alankaara and Theerthaprasada then followed this.

On behalf of IT Madhva Sangha, we thank the Rayara Mutt authorities for having helped us out of the way in making this a very grand function.

I also thank our ITMS members who participated in large numbers starting from envisioning, planning and execution to grand execution of one of our grandest festivities this calendar year.

Comments and suggestions are most welcome. Some snaps from the event can be found below:

With Best Regards
Hareye Namaha
Aditya Rao

SOME PHOTOGRAPHS

Sri Sumadhva Viyaja paarayane, Pallaki Seva & Bhajane procession

Saamuhika Sri Pavamaana Homa karyakrama - lead by Sri Rameshachar, Malkajgiri

Poornahuti being offered to the homa at the end of the pavamaana homa

Ratha Seva to Sri Madhvarayaru along with Sarvamoola Granthas'

Pallakki Seva to Sri Sarvamoola Granthas'

Sri Varakedi Srinvasacharya was the chief guest, his pujya father looks on.

Sri Jayaramachar and Sri Sukeshachar during the pravachana karyakrama

Sri Purandara Dasara Aaradhane 2009 - A Grand Success !

Sri Puranandara Dasara Aaradhane 2009 which was celebrated jointly with Karnataka Sahitya Mandira on 25th Jan 2009 (Sunday) was a very grand success. About 70 children participated from various categories in the Dasarapada competitions held from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM followed by a mellifluent dasavaani by Smt Dr. Priyashri Rao which was attended by hundreds of Sadbhaktas. Dr (Pt) Srinivasachar Varakhedi was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.

I thank all the volunteers of ITMS for making this a grand success and special thanks to KSM for having provided us this opportunity to associate in the seva of Sri Hari.

Sri 1008 Sri Vidyatma Theertharu of Pragay pays a visit to ITMS

Sri Vidyatma Theertharu visited Sri Aditya Rao's home and delivered an hour long pravachana on the works of Sri Madhvacharyaru and the relevance of the same to current day affairs.

Section of the Audience at Aditya's home

Sri 1008 Sri Vidyatma Theertharu

Sri 1008 Sri Vidyatma Theertharu delivering his pravachana

Srigalu's exposition of the fundamentals for the layman was impeccable

Devara Pooja Workshop held successfully - 27th July 2008

ITMS has successfully conducted its Phase I of Devara Pooja Workshop instructed by Shri Jayaramachar at Sri Krishna Mutt Kondapur on 27th July 2008 (Sunday). This was a live 4-hour workshop where all the participants were asked to bring their Devara Pettige (box) and perform the Devara Pooja as instructed by the achar.

We initially started off at 7:30 AM in the morning with Snana sankalpa in our Madi’s and performing samuhika snana. We then headed off to the mutt where we finished our pending anhikas and started off with Devara Pooja. The Pooja paddati starting from Nirmaalya Visarjana till Vaishvadeva in about 3 hours was instructed and then performed by all the participants in chorus. It was indeed a very rewarding experience for all the participants. Theertha Prasada at Sri Krishna Mutt, Kondapur, followed this activity.

Sri Jayaramachar instructing the participants

A participant with his devara pooja samagri

Theerthaprasada

Hareye Namaha
Regards
Aditya Rao

Ananthagiri Trip - 6th July 2008.

Trip plan and Schedule
Anathagiri (about 6 kms from Vikarabad) is a kshetra of swayam udhbhava Shri Ananthapadmanabha Devaru. IT Madhva Sangha went on a 1-day yaatre to Ananthagiri on 6th July 2008 (Sunday). About 52 of our bandus participated in this unique yaatra.

Ananthagiri is about 90kms from Hyderabad and is a scenic 90 minutes drive from Hyderabad. To add to our punya the HH Swamiji of Kudli Arya Akshobya Mutt was also be present at Ananthagiri. This gave us a unique opportunity to additionally witness the Samsthana Rama Devara Pooje and seek the blessings of HH Swamiji.

The yaatra was scheduled as follows :

7:30 AM - Leave for Anathagiri from Hyderabad.
9:15 AM - Arrival at Anathagiri
9:15 AM - 9:45 AM: Freshen up and rest.
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM: Have the darshana of Shri Anathapadmanabha Devaru.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM: Anugraha Sandhesha on “Chaturmaasa - its practices and importance” by HH Swamiji
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Witness the Samsthana Shri Ramadevara Pooje
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM: Theertha + Mantraxthe distribution by HH Swamiji.
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM: Theerthaprasada
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Break/Vishraanthi
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM: Competitions and Games.
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM: Conclude and pack-up
4:45 PM: Depart for Hyderabad
6:30 PM: Arrival at Hyderabad

Samsthana Pooja of Sri Vaikunta Rama Devaru of Sri Kudli Mutt

Sri 1008 Sri Raghuvijaya Theertharu address the ITMS Members

ITMS Members listening to Sri Swamiji

Note on Shri Kudli Mutt
HH Shri Akshobya Theertharu (direct Shishya of Shri Madhvacharyaru) sometime in between 1349 AD - 1364 AD founded the Shri Kudli Mutt by giving ashrama to Shri Shri Trailoyaka Bhusana Theertharu and started a parampare at Kudli in Shimoga. It then came to be known as Kudli Arya Akshobhya Theertha Mutt. During the Vijayanagar time, the Mutt was addressed as “Kudalaarya Mutt” and was very close to the then royal family. 29 highly learned pontiffs have ruled the Mutt over the last 7 centuries and most of the Brindavanas are in Kudli itself. The current pontiff is Shri 1008 Shri Raghupriya Theertharu and the Junior Swamiji is Shri 1008 Shri Raghuvijaya Theertharu. The Pontiffs of this parampare are known for their exemplary oratory skills and great service is spreading our Madhwa Siddhantha by taking up regular sancharas (tours). The parampare has Shri Vaikunta Ramadevaru as the samstana devaru.

Brief Note about current Sri Kudli Mutt Peetadhipatis.
The Senior Pontiff HH Shri 1008 Shri Raghupriya Theertharu took over the pontificate of Shri Kudli Mutt under his Vidhya Guru of Uttaradi Mutt HH Shri Sathyapramoda Theertharu about 3 decades ago.

HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu is now of advanced age of 94 years but continues to lead the Mutt and has performs Shri Ramadevara Pooje with atmost bhakti and vyragya. HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu was a senior official in the Agricultural department and was known is his poorvashrama days as Pt. Narayanachar Galagali. HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu is an exemplary orator and known to have performed several miracles and has a very huge following in Bijapur, Bagalkote areas.

HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu’s shishya is HH Shri Raghu Vijaya Theertharu and the Junion Pontiff of the Shri Kudli Mutt, who in his pre-pontiff days held B.Tech, MBA and LLB degrees and was a successful professional working out of Mumbai. But HH Shri Raghu Vijaya Theertharu was highly overcome and influenced by the senior poniff HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu and immediately gave up loukika life and studied Sudha under HH Shri Raghupriya Theertharu and was made a pontiff to lead the Kudli Mutt in the future and he was rechristened HH Shri Raghuvijaya Theertharu.

Nitya Karma Anushtana Program held successfully at Mallapur

The Nithya Karma Anusthana Karyakrama held on 8th June 2008 (Sunday), under the aegis of ITMS, Mallapur was a grand success and well received. We had close to 60 participants who took advantage of this fantastic program under the guidance of Vidwan Pt. Sukeshacharya Jallihal.

The program was held at Shri Anjaneya temple at Mallapur where people had gathered at about 8 AM in the morning. The haribhaktas started off with the parane of Shri Venkatesha Stotra, Shri Vayu Stuti and Shri Rayara Stotra. At sharp 9 AM in the morning Pt. Sukeshachar Jallihal took over the stage to conduct the program. Achar explained in detail about the prathaha (morning) slokas and informed all on the series of karmas needs to be observed starting from waking up from the rightside and following up with dhyana slokas. Following this unique exposition, achar began with demonstrating the Urdhavapundra (Gopi Chandana Dharane) in great detail, by requesting a volunteer to come on stage. Similarly achar also explained on how one should tie kache-panche and informed that it was mandatory for Grahastas to tie kache-panche.

Following this session, a detailed explanation of the all-important Sandhya was made and each and every one was made to recite the slokas once so that it becomes a habit going forward. The sessions ended at about 12:30 PM and achar explained in detail about Parishechana Chitrahuti & Aposhana Mantra as the participants sat for theertha prasada.

The afternoon session started at 2:30 PM, were achar in detail on the benefits of performing sandhyavandhne. This session ended at about 3:30 PM followed by Q&A session where the Haribhaktas took advantage by clarifying their genuine doubts.

ITMS profusely thanks its volunteers from Mallapur Shri Prahalad, Shri Kopresh, Shri Karthik, Shri Raghavendra & Shri Pramod. Additionally, we also would like to express our deepest gratitude towards Shri Anjaneya Swamy Temple committee for their constant support in making this program a very grand success.

Please find below some snaps taken during the program.

1. Achar explaining the arghya pradhaana karya

2. Participants stand for giving Arghya during the workshop.

3.A section of the audience

4. During Theertha Prasaada

5. Sambhavane to Shri Sukeshachar by Shri Annayachar at the end of the program.

Paata on Manimanjari starts at Ranigunj - update

We would like to inform all that the pAta karykrama which was started with the anugraha of Shri Vyasaprathista Anjenya Swamiji of Ranigunj and under the guidance of Pt. Shri Sukeshacharya Jalihal has got off to a fantastic and blessed start. We started off with Manimanjari in the traditional style of paata.

The key advantage of learning Manimanjari is that it would assist in picking up Samskruta to a fair extent and assist in our further endeavors. Thanks to Shri Gururaj and Shri Ramchandra for having coordinate this fantastic program.

Request more and more members to kindly attend this unique program and take advantage of this. As achar aptly quoted, going to paata karyakrama is like going to a shop selling diamonds, and obviously very few would visit the diamond shops. So, it indeed is a fantastic opportunity for all and request one and all to take advantage of this.

Sthree Dharma & Nithya Anushtaana Program Held Successfully

Sthri Dharma Program which was held on 22nd & 23rd March (last Saturday & Sunday) was a very successful and well received program. Please find some snaps from the program below. In spite of incessent rains over the weekend we had a very good participation from the Hari Bhaktas who participated in large numbers.

Pt. Shri Hanumeshachar Jallihal was exemplary in his delivery of all the four sessions (Sadachara Smurthi, Vishnusahasra naama, Sadachara Smurthi - part 2 & Sthri Dharma). ITMS profusely thanks Smt Sudha Bai for the logistics provided, Pt Shri Jayatheerthachar for providing us the Uttaradi Mutt premises and Karnataka Sahitya Mandira for having allowed us to use their auditorium.

NOTE: Please standby for a detailed report on the program and the proceedings.