Karthik's Upanayanam July 10

                                                                                                         

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                                                        !! Sri Ramajayam  !!

Karthik's Upanayana Kalyanam on July 10, 2016 at Centennial, Denver, U.S.A.

  ( details by his grandparents :Natarajans. )

Chiranjeevi Karthik’s parents Aparna & Sekhar took a decision some months well in advance as early as 2015 to conduct his Upanayanam in the US being their place of residence with the consent of grandparents on both the sides. The first agenda was to decide the date and with due consultations with the purohit and elders, the date was fixed  as July 10, 2016 Sunday in Simha  Lagna Muhurtham  between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.  Poorvangam was slated for one day in advance. A rare coincidence of Upanayanam dates of Vignesh the elder son and Karthik became the talk of the day. Vignesh’s Upanayanam took place on 10th of July 2011 in Chennai and Karthik’s was fixed for 10th July 2016. Vignesh was 10 years then and Karthik is also 10 years plus. The confirmation

of Muhurtham set the pace for scheduling the time bound activities.

Sekhar and Aparna took care for all arrangements for performing the ceremony at their residence. There was a thought initially to conduct it in the Hindu Temple of Colorado but the venue was  changed due to Rath Yatra celebaration at the temple.  Sekhar and Aparna arranged  comfortable accommodations for the guests coming from outstations in Embassy Hotel near their residence and also transport facilities. Karthik’s paternal, maternal uncles along with his mother’s uncle took charge of transprtation activities.

Vadu’s (Karthik) grandparents from Bengaluru arrived at Denver one month in advance with the paraphernalia and requirment for the Upanayanam like dhothies, dresses and silver articles like Plate, panchapatram, cup for bhikshai rice etc;, along with puja items. They also brought specialyl ordered and attractive handbags with art works for presnting to the invitees. Invitations printed at Bengaluru were sent well in advance to the relatives and close friends. Aparna had also sent evites to the cousins and their  local friends.

Sekhar’s mother Smt.Bhavani Venkataramanan undertook the major initiative for conducting the religious ceremony in line with the laid down principle. She brought dhoties for the priests (10x 6, 9x5 yards ) and dresses for the close family members, shawls and other gift items all the way from Chennai. It was a very nice gesture from her which she considered as her privilege and duty.

‘Seer’ Bhakshanam portfolio was taken up by Aparna’s uncle Seshadri at Chennai. He meticulously selected the source after consulting different service providers. He placed order with Grand Sweets, Chennai who proved their reliability by supplying delicious and big seer Murukku, Mullu Thenkuzhal, Adhirasam, Badusha, Laddus, a pair of Manoharam Paruppu Thengai,and also murukku and ladoos for distribution- all items in the ordered quantity on turnkey basis. The Bakshanams were door delivered 4 days in advance as was assured. Hats off to ‘ Seshu mama’ for his efforts in this regard.

Palkova and badam cakes were made well in advance by Aparna’s MIL.  Banana leaves, Mango leaves, betal leaves and Jasmine flowers were ordered thro’ internet and needless to say they arrived at the right time.  

Arrival of  other  family members from Bombay,Michigan, Sanjose, Houston and Madison   added merry and livliness to the grand occasion. The air was rent with laughter, music and children playing.

The function had 3 parts. It started with Sumangali Prarthanai  performed on Thursday,  the 7th July 2016. It is performed before any auspicious function in the family and to invoke the blessings of the the departed ancestors ( women) in the family. Rangolis were drawn in front of the house previous night.

                              

In the morning ladies at home took oil bath. The puja room was decorated with flowers and lighted lamps. A water filled jug was kept near the lamp with haldi , kumkum, sandal paste, mehendi cones, bangles and flowers from the garden.  A big Rangoli was drawn in front of the puja cupboard and four more rangolis. A wooden tray with  a 9 yards saree and blouse was kept above the main rangoli and banana leaves were placed on the rangolis for serving food for the occasion.

The menu was planned well in advance. And the masala powders were ground earlier.   The lunch consisted of  dhal payasam, cucumber curd pachadi, mango sweet pachadi, carrot- moong dal kosumbari, channa dal sweet kosumbari, brinjal curry,  Chow chow kootu , thanikootu ( a Tanjore speciality) Urud dal vada, palkova, coriander chutney, mango pickle, banana, grapes and ripe mangoes besides bitter gourd pitlai, bonda morkuzhambu, Mysore rasam, lemon rice, dal, and fresh curds.

All the ladies participated actively in cooking, cleaning  and washing the chores. Thanks to Vichu mama (Aparna’s uncle) who was the chef of the day and held the laddle.

      Kitchen is busy                                           Cutting Vegetables

Aparna’s MIL and SILs became busy starting from cutting the vegetables onwards from the previous night itself. By 11.30 am on thursday, the ladies clad in 9 yards were ready for the puja and feast. Aparna had invited one of her friends Deepa to join us for the occasion. Their feet were washed first with haldi.Chandan, kumkum and flowers  were given byAparna’s mother. Her brother’s wife Ritu and baby Isha along with Deepa were served food first (ladies first) after serving the items in the main leaf kept in front of the 9 yards saree. All the family members offered flowers and akshathai to the saree in order of hierarchy and did namaskar. The men clad in dhotis helped in serving the delicious food along with Vagi and Priya (Aparna’s co-sisters in Indian context). After a heavy  meal, jaggery panakam, neer mor and a mixture of dry ginger powder, jaggery and ghee were given for digestion followed by  chandan, kumkum  and a mehendi cone each. It was 12.30 pm and the rest of the family members who  were waiting ate with an apetite and relished the lunch.    

            

Sumangali Prarthanai Lunch ;  Aparna, Vagi, Parvathy, Priya, Deepa, Ritu, Isha baby.             

The Upanayanam Ceremony:-

Poorvangam began right on time at 8 a.m on July 9th Saturday. The main priest was Sri Raghavendra  assisted by Sri Rajagopala Sharma and Sri Krishnamohan from S.V. temple, Castle Rock - all three arrived at the appointed time. Sekhar wore the ceremonial dress Panchakacham and Aparna, draped the 9 yards saree in the traditional manner and Vadu Karthik too was clad in dhoti.

Anuggai (Permission) and Vigneswara Puja were performed first by Sekhar and Aparna. The purohit administered the Sankalpa for Udaka Shanti and Punyavachana Mantra Japa. The sight of Puja materials like turmeric powder, kumkum, sandal powder, agarbathi, jasmine flowers, coconuts, plantains and other fruits, betel nuts, mango leaf bunch, plantain leaf, wheat, raw rice, a brass kalasa well decorated Kudam  for Punyavachanam, silver vessels which included (1) pancha pathra uthirini, (2) round plates,(3) pela, (4) hand bell and mud paligais 5Nos. and the orderliness of their placement in front of the pictures of Sri Venkateswara, Ganesha, Lakshmi and other deities created good vibration and filled the hall with a spiritual atmosphere.

Udaka shanthi Japam was recited loudly with a tempo - I, (PN) also joined in the recitation with the help of a book.

                                           

Sri Raghavendra conducted  the samaradhana puja for the family deity Sri Venkateswara with Sekhar and Aparna offering the flowers at the Lord’s feet with great attention and devotion. We recited Venkateswara Stotram  “ Kamalakucha choochuka kunkumatho Niyatharunithathula neelathano...”. led by Sri Rajagopala Sharma.

Karthik was given a bath, called also as abhishekam in the lawn outside the sun room, with the sanctified water from the Kalasa.

              

Ankurarpanam was then carried out by the women folk, a ceremony for germination of seeds( nava danyam) in the mud (pots) paligais, to signify the growth for young Vadu especially. Kankana Dharanam to Karthik was the next event to go through.

Nandi Sraddham was performed for invoking the blessings of the ancestors of the family.

        Nandi Shraddha                        ( Pooja to Lord Venkateswara, )

   (decorated Brass Kumbham and Mango leaf, coconut over a spread of rice can be seen          above)

Balaji samaradhanai and Udakashanthi was attended by the family members.

Lunch was served to the purohits who performed the puja that day.

Menu for Day 2 (9th July) - Sakkarai Pongal, Vadai ,Curd Pachadi, mixed fruit pachadi, raw banana curry, arvi fry, ash pumpkin kootu, puliyodarai, badam cake, til ladu, curry leaves chutney, mango thokku, brinjal-groundnut rasavangi, morkuzhambu, Kalyana rasam, curds etc. -  needless to say all the ladies together ith Vichu mama(chief chef) prepared the lunch which proved tasty too.

10th July 2016 - Karthik’s Upanayana Kalyanam  began at 8am after the arrival of all the three purohits. After Vigneswara Pooja, Sekhar, Aparna and young Karthik prostrated before the elders and sought their blessings. Upanayana sankalpa began with a gusto followed by purification function and ‘gruha preethi dhanam’.

The invitees, by this time, were seated in the drawing hall after breakfast and coffee. The Sun Room became busy where the dining  was arranged by providing two long tables in  ‘L’ shape and chairs arranged in a row. Besides this the large  patio space was covered by a new and colorful carpet , and chairs were provided at convenient locations.The jhula (Swing) was at one end and came handy for the guests to sit and take the meals. The living room was also used for seating the guests and about 25 women occupied the place and enjoyed their company by making enquiries, cutting jokes and exchanging news.Two photographers came at 7 a.m. itself and one started clicking the camera and the other was concentrating in taking a movie of the proceedings.

Yagyopaveeda Dharanam :-  The main purohit Sri Raghavendra administered the mantra for wearing the sacred thread and Sekhar, Aparna and Karthik repeated the mantra and Karthik’s face brightened as his dad helped him to wear the sacred thread.

( upanayana ceremony in the process )                (  Yagyopaveeda Dharanam  )

The meaning of Upanayanam:- Upa means near and nayanam means eyes. Upanayanam giving the meaning as by the side of eyes which can be interrupted as the guidance of Guru who watches like the function of the eyes in the upbringing of the young Vadu. Further Upanayanam gives a new birth to the Brahmachari as he embarks to lead a dharmic life. Dwija: in Sanskrit means twice born ; also a Brahmin.

Kumara bhojanam was the next event. Karthik and his other two brahmachari friends sat in the lobby leading to Sunroom where plantain leaves were spread over  ‘kolam’. Satvik  special food prepared with care. Sooji kesari. Idlies, Venn pongal, chutney and fried vadams  were served in the Kumara bhojanam. Dhal, milk and ghee were included in the preparations. It was nice to look at Karthik and his friends taking the Kumara Bhojanam in a leisurerly manner. The boys were presented with Silver Panchapatra Uthirini after the bhojanam. Also shawls were presented to their parents.

( Kumara Bhojanam in the process )            ( Karthik enjoys lovable support of Ajay uncle )

The next function was Vapanam when Karthik’s father Sekhar became the karta who prayed to devas like Vayu, Varuna, Adhithi, Poosha, Brihaspati, Agni and so on to give poorna ayu to the Vadu along with fame and all good fortune.

Ajay, Karthik’s uncle then  garlanded and carried Karthik on his shoulder and made a procession  towards the function hall. The guests applauded Ajay uncle and Karthik. Aarathi was then performed to the vadu.

Karthik was asked to place his right foot on a stone ( Aasma aarohanam) while the Guru prayed for his well being. Brahmacharya Asrama Vastra dharanam followed when the purohit did  the mounji bandhanam and krishnajina.

Upanayana Homam began for the welfare of Vadu and his acquisition of knowledge. Time for Muhurtham was approaching and the audience started standing up eagerly. As the Brahmopadesham Muhurtam arrived,  the pundit administered the palasa dhanda pledge to the Vadu to protect the Vedas and brahmacharya asrama vratham.

We saw Sekhar, Aparna and Karthik and Raghavendra, the main priest sitting under the cover of a silk dhoti over their heads for pronouncing the Gayatri Mantra into the ears of Karthik. Gayathri Mantra consists of Omkara-Vyakruthees and Savitri mantra. The invitees  cheered and gave a round of applause as Karthik, the Vadu and his parents came out  of the covered silk garment  along with the purohit after the completion of Brahmopadesam.

   ( Brahmopadesam underway )                ( Paru patti giving Bhikshai to the Vadu

                                                                      Viswanathan mama thatha is watching )

Everyone  cheered , congratulated and blessed Karthik after the successful completion of Brahmopadesham Muhurtham. Varshaya, Viswanathan’s daughter, who performs solo in Carnatic music in San jose, entertained the audience with her melodious voice during most part of the ceremony, by singing selected carnatic classicals suited to the occasion. Tons of thanks to her !

Sekhar offered the Guru dakshina and the trio looked at the audience with their hands bowed in a thanksgiving style. Karthik was then asked to see the sun ( Surya darshan) through the narrow circular space created by twisting the palm of both the hands in a particular angle. The Guru uttered the mantra for Surya darshan which Karthik repeated as the Guru accepted the Vadu as his Sishya.

   ( Surya Darshan by Karthik )                          ( Palasa Danda Pledge by Vadu )

Samitha dhanam - Karthik repeated the mantra and kept the samiths one by one in the Agni homam. This ritual is for long ayu, knowledge and keerthi to the Vadu.

Bhiksha Acharanam followed when Karthik pleaded “ Bhavati BHIKSHAM DEHI “ and  his mother Aparna was all in smiles to give the first ‘bhikshai’ to her son. The other women also folk gave Bikshai rice to the Vadu. They were all presented with Bakshanams in colourful  jute bags brought all the way from Bengaluru. Brahmins led an auster life by means of ‘unchivarthi’ only in olden days.

Maha Asirvadam began with the blessings and prasadams  in the form of vibhoothi, kumkum, and akshathai sent by Sri Sringeri and Kanchi Mutts. They had also acknowledged by means of  letters addressed to Sekhar’s mother for the donation made. Karthik wore the red silk dhoti  received from Sringeri Mutt.  Grandparents, parents, close relatives, friends and invitees gave the presents and blessed Karthik one by one whole heartedly. Aarthi was performed to mark the completion of the Upanayana Ceremony of Chiranjeevi Karthik.

Special lunch was prepared for the purohits, vadu and his parents at home.

Menu for Day 3 - paal payasam, curd pachadi, mango sweet pachadi, beans curry, avial, dal vada, mango pickle, thirattupal,papad, bhindi sambhar, rasam , curds etc;.

A good and delicious lunch was awaiting the invitees. Menu for Upanayanam Lunch:- Poori and Aloo Masala, Bisibelabath, Beans Curry, Kovakkai Curry, Vadai, chutney, papads, Curd Bath (well meshed),pickles, Carrot Halwa and Ice Cream. The guests enjoyed eating in groups the delicious lunch.

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(The invitees conversing and eating , Women in the living Room and men in the patio - when you share your happiness, it gets doubled or even more - an example for synergy )

We thank Almighty for giving us the direction and strength for conducting religiously and in traditional manner Chiranjeevi Karthik’s Upanayanam and also in a grand manner. Our thanks to every one for their participation and blessings.

It sounds well and soothing to the ears  when the entire proceedings were described aptly as ‘KARTHIK’S UPANAYANA KALYANA MAHOTSAVAM’ by all present.

In Happy Moments Praise God: In Difficult Moments Seek God; in Ouiet Moments Worship God; In Painful moments Trust God; in Every Moment Worship God.

( The Family as a well knit Team pose happily after Karthik’s Upanayana Kalyanam )