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.

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.

It is done with lighted sacred lamp in the middle, considering the lamp as the prime deity bhagavathars sing and dance around it, immersed in divine bliss. This circumambulation is equivalent to going around the earth.

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. One bhagavathar of previous generation and one from the current lot were honoured. Late Sri E.K. Srinivasa bhagavathar and Sri Pichumani bhagavathars were the recipients of this year’s award. The award consists of a memento (only for the current generation awardee), a cash purse of 10,000, a shawl, and a set of clothes for the bhagavathar and spouse.

It is the ceremony of tying mangalasutram 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 mangalasutrams around Radha and Rukmini’s necks amid great devotional fervour.

Lunch Menu (2.00–4.00 pm): Paruppu, kadamba sambhar, thakkali rasam, poosani kootu, beans parupu usili, vazhaikay curry, appalam, vadai, sakkarai pongal, thayir pachadi, kosmari, puli sadam, 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.

The second Carnatic concert was musical discourse by harikatha exponent Shrimathi Vishaka Hari on Bhishmar. The program started around 8 pm. From the beginning the tempo was up which was maintained till the end. By her style of singing and telling stories which could connect to today’s audience is wildly popular all around the world. She kept her audience in their seat till the end.

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 65th 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.

Bola pundareeka varada! Hari vittale.