Srinivasa Kalyanam Story in English
“Srinivasa Kalyana” is available in Bhavishyottara purana and Skanda Puranam, Aditya Purana, etc., all written by Sri Vedavyasa Devaru.
Why “Srinivasa Kalyana” is being observed twice, once in Vaishaka Shudda
Dashami and once in Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami?
Srinivasa Kalyana in Vaishaka Shudda Dashami and Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami
Vaishaka Shudda Dashami is the day on which the Kalyanotsava of Srinivasa – Padmavathi was held. Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami is the Brahmotsava day. After kalyana with Padmavathi Srinivasa stayed in Mangapura @ Agastyashrama for 6 months, loka shikshanaartham that the new wedded couple must not climb hill after the marriage for six months. Ofcourse Srinivasa – Padmavathi does not have any such formalities, it is just for the shikshana of the public that he has done. After six months, Srinivasa sat in the Chariot made by Vishwakarma, for the ten days Brahma did the procession. That is why even today Brahmotsava is being observed. We call this period as Brahmotsava period, as Brahma himself does the Utsava for Srinivasa during the period. That is why Srinivasa Kalyanotsava is being observed in both the periods once in Vaishaka Maasa and once in Ashwayuja Maasa.
Brahmotsava
As mentioned above, Brahmadeva first did the Brahmotsava. It was on the Shravana Nakshatra. Usually Vijayadashami is observed on Shravana Nakshatra day itself. Brahma prayed Srinivasa with a blessing for the people who visit Brahmotsava that their all abheeshta (desires) be fulfilled. Brahma called Tondamana Raja and ordered him to get different Chariots, Chatra, Chamara, Vyajana, etc. All the devates, sages, kings, emporars were invited for the Brahmotsava.
Navratri Celebration in South India
First day- Kalasha Sthapana
Vishwaksena, brings the pure mruttike to the Kalyana Mantapa Yajnashale. Navadhaanya will be filled in decorated big vessels, which is called as Ankurarpane . Utsava Murthy will be tied with Kankana. On this day, all the devates will be invited, with Dhwajarohana and poornakumba stapane. On the Golden Dwajastambha, drawings of Garuda will be written in different colours.
Second Day- Dhwajarohana
Permission will be sought in front of Srinivasa for the brahmotsava. Indradi Asta Dikpalakaru will be placed in eight directions. For this public does not have the access. The Archakaas will lift the Garuda Dwaja on the Golden Dwajastambha. Srinivasa will be decorated with ornaments and will be brought to Tirumalaraya Mantapa. Every day before the Utsava of Srinivasa starts, one small brahma ratha will be running, which does not have any idol, which will not be decorated much. This small chariot will be Brahmadevaru himself.
Third day -Sheshavahana
Utsava moorthy Srinivasa will be placed in the Sheshavahana. This has Sheshadevaru with five heads. Hamsavahana – On this day, Srinivasa will be decorated in the form of Saraswathi and sitting on Hamsa. This proves that Srihari himself is the Saraswathi shabdhavaachya, and Saraswathi sooktha prathipaadya himself is Srihari.
Fourth Day -Simha Vahana
Srihari will be placed in Simha Vahana on the fourth day. Where Shesha is the Sareesrupa, Hamsa is the Jalachara, Lion is the King of Animals. This shows that Srihari in the Simhavahana proves that he is the sarva niyamaka. On this day, Srihari will be decorated alongwith Sri-Bhoo, and brought to a Pearlmantapa.
Fifth Day –Kalpavruksha Vaahana
Morning Srihari will be sitting on Kalpavruksha Vaahana with Sri-Bhoo. With the darshana itself Srihari blesses us the samasta abheesta. In the night, he will be kept in Sarva Bhoopalavahana. Garudotsava – Srihari will be sitting on Garuda. Garuda will be holding the paadakamala of Srihari in his hands, and does have the darshana of Srihari in the Nakha (nails) of Srihari.
Sixth Day -Hanumadvaahanotsava
Next morning itself will have Hanumadvaahanotsava. During Raamavatara, Hanumantha had Ramachandra sat on his shoulders. Now, Hanumantha holding Srinivasa. It proves that Srirama himself is Srinivasa. In the afternoon Srinivasa will be brought to Vasanthamantapa, which is called as Vasanthotsava, which Chariot is made of Gold. Gajavahanotsava – On the same day evening, Srihari will be decorated and sitting in Gajavahana, imitating the Gajendra Moksha.
Seventh Day -Sooryaprabha Vahanotsava
Morning, there will be “Sooryaprabha Vahanotsava” and in the evening there will be “Chandraprabha Vahanotsava”.
Eighth Day – Garudotsava
Apart from Garudotsava, Ashwavahana – Srihari will be decorated like Kalki, and will be done showing that Kalki will be Srihari only.
Ninth Day- Matsya roopa alankara
Tenth Day–Chakrasnana
Chakrasnana. Srihari will be brought near Varaha Devara Temple and have Chakrasnana in Swami Pushkarini Theertha.
J Prasad