Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam

SRI SRINIVASA THIRUKALYANAM

INTRODUCTION

We could have noticed the divine marriage of Lord Lord Srinivasa, the god of seven hills, along with Ma Padmavathi in various pictures in the temples of Lord Vishnu, and it is believed that this divine marriage took place during the beginning of the Kali Yuga, that is approximately 5,000 years back. As per legend, once Several Rishis like Kashyapa, Gouthama, Bhrigu and Vasishta began to conduct Yagnas on the banks of the Holy River Gangas. At that time, Rishi Narada approached them, appreciated their great task of performing Yagnas, and also asked them to find out the best among the three chief gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Bhrigu first went to Satyaloka, the divine abode of Lord Brahma. But there he didn’t get proper welcome from him, since Brahma didn’t notice about the arrival of Bhrigu at his place. Then Bhrigu went to the holy Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, but there also Lord Shiva didn’t notice him, since he was seen affectionately hugging his wife Ma Parvati, with great love and affection. Finally, Bhrigu went to the abode of Lord Vishnu, the holy Vaikunta, and stood in front of him. But there also Lord Vishnu didn’t notice him, since he was looking at the charming face of his lovely consort, Ma Lakshmi Devi with deep love.

Since Bhrigu was not welcomed even in the Vaikunta, he has become very angry, and hence, he kicked at the chest of Lord Vishnu, where his lovely consort Ma Lakshmi Devi permanently dwells. But Lord Vishnu didn’t get angry with the rude act of Rishi Bhrigu, but he fell down at his feet, and also gently pressed down his legs, in order to remove the ego of Rishi Bhrigu. On seeing the kind nature of Lord Vishnu, Rishi Bhrigu was very much pleased with him, and he went to the place where the Rishis performs Yagnas, and informed to them, that Lord Vishnu is the best among all other deities, and he declared that the sacrificial offering must also be granted to him, since he behaves very soft and gentle towards others.

Though Lord Vishnu was able to bear the insult caused by Rishi Bhrigu, Ma Lakshmi Devi couldn’t control her anger, and hence she left Vaikunta, reached the earth, and began to start doing penance on Lord Vishnu. Since his better half, Ma Lakshmi was separated from him, with great grief on his mind, Lord Vishnu also left Vaikunta, and reached the present place of Tirumala Hills, stayed in an ant hill, and began to start doing penance.

Ma Vedavathi, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, and also an AMSHA of Ma Lakshmi Devi, was incarnated as Padmavathi and her parents were Akash Raj and Ma Dharani Devi. Padmavathi was grown up properly, and she was affectionately looked after by her parents. Lord Vishnu began to be known as Srinivasa and he stayed at the house of Ma Vakulamaligai, who was incarnated at Ma Yashoda in her previous birth. In course of time, Lord Srinivasa had got married with Ma Padmavathi, in presence of all other deities, sages and saints in the earth, and from then onwards, they have been permanently dwelling in the holy abode of Tirumala, and since Lord Vishnu himself came down to the earth, and settled down in the beautiful hills of Tirumala, the sacred place Tirumala came to be known as “BHULOKA VAIKUNTA”, which means Vaikunta in the earth.

Among the various festivals celebrated in Tirumala, the Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is very popular, and still now Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is being performed in Tirumala in most of the days in a year, and especially during the Tamil Month of Purattasi, and this wonderful divine wedding festival is celebrated with full of happiness by the devotees. Those who want to perform Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam at the Holy Tirumala, must have to contact the temple officials in order to get further details about that.

Apart from Tirumala, Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is also being performed in some Perumal Temples, and most of the devotees of Lord Vishnu used to attend the divine wedding function in the temples, in order to get the blessings of the great Lord Sri Venkateswara and Ma Padmavathi. Those who remain as bachelors and spinsters for a long period are suggested to perform Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam, in order to get married soon to a suitable person.

Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam is mentioned in detail in the Bhavishyottara purana.

Sri Venkateswara Maha Mantra:

Om Namo Venkatesaaya Kaamitaartha Pradhaayine Pranatah Klesa Naasaaya Govindaaya Namo Namaha.

Meaning of the Mantra

“I pay my humble respects to You, O’ my beloved Lord Venkateswara who is the giver of victory and prosperity, and I again and again offer my respectful salutations to You, O’ Govinda, who is the Destroyer of all sufferings and sorrows in our life”.

Those who read the above Mantra of Lord Srinivasa, would be blessed by the divine couple, and they would lead a peaceful married life without having any disturbances in their life.

“OM MA PADMAVATHY SAMEDHA SRI VENKATESAYA NAMAHA”

WRITTEN BY

R.HARISHANKAR