Uttararadhana celebrations at the Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh, witnessed a heavy turnout of devotees who arrived from different parts of the country, on Sunday. Flower-showering from a helicopter, Maha Panchamruta Abhishekha, Maha Rathotsava accompanied by several cultural troupes and cheering devotee-crowd were major attractions on the third day of the 345th Aradhana celebrations.
The eventful day began with Maha Panchamruta Abhishekha and special pujas offered to Moola Rama at the Brindavan of Guru Raghavendra Swamy by Sri Subudhendra Tirtha Swamy, the head and chief administrator of the mutt. The seer and the mutt staff then smeared colours on each other which the devotees followed.
In his blessing message, Sri Subudhendra Tirtha wished the world peace and prosperity. “Let Raghavendra Swamy bless us with peace and prosperity with sufficient rainfall and healthy crops,” he said.
The seer also announced that the next five Aradhanas, till 350th one, would be observed as Suvarna Aradhana Mahotsavas.
The seer used the blessing-message offering to respond to the allegations levelled against the mutt. “We have maintained account for each contribution, be it in the form of money or in the form of movable and immovable property. We are utilising them for developing the mutt, offering amenities and spreading the Hindu faith. All noble initiatives face impediments and our mutt is no exception. We leave the allegations to Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy,” he said.
Future projectsThe swamy announced that a puja mantap, weighing 60 kg in gold, would be dedicated to Raghavendra Swamy shortly.
He also expressed his plan to open a university in Mantralayam. “We will start educational institutions that offer degree, engineering and medical courses. We have a plan to open a university,” he said.
The seer then flagged off the Rathotsava. As the devotees pulled the decorated chariot that carried the statues of Prahladaraj and Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy on the ground, Sri Subhudhendra Tirtha showered flowers from a helicopter. It was the third time that the flower-showering from a helicopter was performed in the mutt’s history.
