Lord Vittal and Radha Rukmini portrait has been decorated grandly and got ready for the divine wedding. The divine ambience brought delight and devotion in bhakthas’ hearts. The symbolic nature of the wedding (reunion of every soul emerged from the Supreme soul merges again with the same) reminded us to continue the quest to attain self enlightenment.
Menu (7.30–10.30 am): Sweet, idli, venpongal, veg upma, chutney (2 varieties), sambhar and coffee.
The special day of the divine wedding started with Vittal and Radha Rukmini in eye-pleasing Alankaram. Bhajan Padhdhati continued with singing Guru keerthanas, compositions of various saints like Purandara dasar, Khabirdasar, Meera bhai, Gopala Krishna Bharathi. The Ashtapathi was concluded with the singing of rest of the Ashtapathi songs along with the Kalyana Ashtapathi in a grand manner.
An elaborate Deepa Pradakshinam with Divyanama Bhajan was performed with the songs specifically meant for it. In between songs UKB anna explained to the audience the meanings of the songs and the situations in which they were originally sung by the great saints. This program from 10 am went on till 1.30 pm.
Since 2017 the MRK organizers have instituted Sri Panduranga Bhagavatha Ratna Award to be conferred on bhagavathars who have done immense service to the Mayuram Radhakalyanam through spreading namasankeerthanam. The award consists of a memento, a cash purse of 10,000, a shawl, and a set of clothes for the bhagavathar and spouse. The first award was conferred on Shri E.K. Jayarama Bhagavathar. He is the senior most bhagavathar; he was part of Shri Srivanchiyam Ramachandra Bhagavathar’s troupe: and also he has the special merit of attending the MRK every year since its inception in 1955. As it was decided, one bhagavathar of previous generation and one from the current lot were honoured. The current year’s honour went to Sri Krishnamurthy Bhagavathar and Sri Babu Rajasekaran (mridangam Babu).
A thanksgiving speech given by a member of the organizing committee remembered the olden days and the contribution of the founder Raman mama and others. He thanked all the bhakthas of Mayuram and worldwide for making this event a grand success. He invited all bhakthas to participate in more numbers in the coming years.
It is the ceremony of tying mangalsutra around bride’s neck by groom in marriages.
Preceding mangalyadharanam more offerings of sweets, clothes and other items are brought to the stage and offered to Radhakrishna. Mangalyadharanam took place with tying of mangalsutras around Radha and Rukmini’s necks amid great devotional fervour.
Menu (2.00–4.00 pm): Kadamba sambhar, thakkali rasam, poosani kootu, beans parupu usili, vazhaikai curry, appalam, vadai, sakkarai pongal, thayir pachadi, kosmari, puli saadam, mor and oorukay.
Nadaswaram is an instrument which occupies a very significant place in all auspicious functions in south India. It accompanies the mantras and rituals in a complementary manner.
In the MRK, we had the privilege of the services of nadaswaram exponents the Sembanar Kovil Brothers Kalaimamani award winner Shri. SRG. Sambandam and his brother Shri. Rajanna for over 40 years. Now their next generation has taken over and every year they present concert at our MRK. Like previous year this year also the concert took place between 5.30 and 7.00 pm by Shri. SRG. Vasantha kumar and Shri. Mohan das.
Menu (7.30–10.30 pm): Kadamba sambar, milagu kuzhambu, jeera rasam, cabbage curry, kootu, dangar pachadi, urulai podi curry, javarisi payasam, appalam, mor and oorukay.
The second Carnatic concert was that of vocalist “Mahanadhi” Dr.Shobana Vignesh. The program started around 8 pm. From the beginning the tempo was up which was maintained till the end. By her style of singing audience preferred songs she endeared herself to rasikas as well as Pandurangan and Raghumayi. In all, the evening turned out to be very enjoyable for one and all.
Similar to days 1 and 2 Radhakrishna with his consorts were made to sleep by singing lullabies.
This ceremony is a thanksgiving to Lord Anjaneya for the blessing, strength and support rendered in completing an event successfully.
This year also Anjaneya utsavam was celebrated with great fanfare. Bhajans were sung and prasadam was offered to all devotees present. The offering consisted of parupu payasam, kondaikadalai sundal, puli sadam, thayir sadam and vadai.
With the singing of mangalam songs, the 64th Radha Kalyana mahotsavam concluded to the great satisfaction of bhagavathars, bhakthas and organizers. We pray to Radhakrishna to bless all and make them cross samsara saharam by his kindest blessings.
