CHICAGO: Shree Ram-Ma Janaki Vivah Utsav last week turned out to be one of the most vibrant events of the Hindu Mandir, Grayslake. It was celebrated with lot of spiritual fervor with more than 150 female devotees enjoying Ma Janaki Mehndi Rat – a charming tradition – by singing bhajans and tasty snacks
The Ram Barat was led by Ashvani Singh and family on November 22 with drums and dolls. Traditionally dressed ladies reached Temple Dwar with its royal procession. Warm welcome of Barat and Dwar Pujan was done by Savita and Prabhakar Joshi with all Vaidic rituals. Pt. Anil Joshi and Pt Ganesh greeted everybody and introduced relatives with Gotrachaar from both sides who in turn did Hasta Milap, Uttariya Exchange with big hugs.
Shiva Dhanush which was placed in front of Lord Ram and Lakshman was broken by young children. Later, Pt. Ganesh led the Pujan of Goddess Gauri by Ma Janaki along with devotees. Lord Ram and Ma Janaki Vivah was performed by Pt. Joshi following all the Hindu Vivah rituals such as Var Pujan, offering of Madhuparakam, Kanyadaan, Godaan, Jayamala, Agni Pradakshana, Mangalsutra tying, Sindhoor offering.
Then came the heart-breaking emotional moment of Kanya-Bidai: the sending off of Janak Dulari to Ayodhya. Devotees carried Ma Janaki in a beautifully decorated Doli with their heavy hearts as Rita Patel sang Bidai song. Pt Joshi delivered his Pravachan on this ideal sacred marriage. He said that the breaking of Shiva Dhanush by Shree Ram symbolizes the breaking one’s ego before entering Grihasthashram.
Without winning over ego Gyan cannot merge with Bhakti as Shri Ram symbolizes ‘Gyan’ and Ma Janaki signifies ‘Bhakti’. Gyan is incomplete unless it merges with Bhakti. He also narrated a rare story of Lord Ram wearing a peacock feather crown as he was wearing it in his vivah Utsav this year.
Archana, offering of Bhoga and Aarti were performed by Pt. Joshi. A sumptuous “Raja Janak Bhojan” was arranged for the devotees to enjoy the Vivah Utsav of Sita and Rama. More than 300 devotees enjoyed Utsav in the midst of a little warmer day. Pt Joshi blessed all the devotees and sponsor families for supporting the temple events and upholding Hindu values.
Temple President Harsh Kumar thanked devotees for their enthusiasm in the Shree Ram-Ma Janaki Vivah Utsav and volunteers for their valuable time in making this Utsav a grand success.
Geetha Patel
