Throughout the celebration i was having a lingering doubt as to why Radha-Krishna marriage while it should have been Rukmini/Satyabhama- Krishna Maariage. This doubt was put to rest by the Shastrigal performing the utsav. According to him, the whole process signifies the Jeevaatma merging with Paramatma.It also signifies that Radha realising her status in Krishna's life as the Eternak Bhakta. She wants to become one with the Soul-The Lord Himself. Radha is the embodiment of life and Krishna the soul - so literally the kalyanam was Life joining the soul . . and it is the spiritual essence of Radha Kalyanam. The various rites being performed are simply for the Bhaktas delight.
The function is conducted with the funds contributed by the devotees and after the celebrations the devotees are rewarded with an authentic wedding spread !
A few clicks that i managed to take after juggling with the heavy crowds and of course my 2 kids----
The ceremony was performed in a Kasi Vishwanath Temple inside the agraharam; a shot of the presiding deity - Lord Shiva
Celebrations about to begin:-
Men folk of the Bhajana Samajam gathering around the Vilakku (diya) for the Gummi/Kolattam ( a form of dandiya/garba in praise of the Lord)
Thali Mudiyal to the accompaniments of Vadhyam !!
Radhe Krishna
Another first for me ! I havenot yet been to any of these things . I got a doubt ! Is that a real marriage or a ceremony ? Sorry if i am mistaken. I'm such a dumb , don't have any idea about the ceremonies and all :)
ReplyDelete@sree - it is like a real marriage with the various rites involved namely nischayadhartam, kannika dhanam, thali mudiyal; the shastrigal perform the rites on the idols are in this case swamy padams ! like in a marriage there was a warm welcome to the people attending and a breakfast served and after the marriage authentic lunch was served !
ReplyDeleteand it was a first for me too !