HINDU TEMPLE OF ATLANTA
CELEBRATES 27TH ANNUAL AND 19TH
BRAHMOTSAVAM WITH GRANDEUR AND ZEST
By Ravi R Ponangi
Atlanta, GA: The Hindu temple of Atlanta, Riverdale celebrated its 27th annual
celebrations and 19th Paancharatra Aagama Purvaka Panchaahnika Balaji
Brahmotsavam from May 23–29 with utmost gaiety and fervor. The seven-day
celebration attracted devotees and tourists not only from all parts of Georgia
but also from neighboring states.
Brahmotsavam means a grand celebration. Brahmotsavam is not only a rare and
auspicious occasion but also a feast for the eyes of the devotees who gather
there. The Brahmotsavam began with Ankurarpana, Punyahavachanam, Vasudeva homam
etc., on the early hours of Wednesday, May 23 in the holy presence of swami Ram
Kamal das Vedanti Ji of Varanasi. More than a dozen temple priests led by Sri
Gopal Bhattar performed elaborate rituals.
On the first day, after Ankurarpana a flag bearing the emblem of Garuda, vehicle
of Vishnu was hoisted amid rituals and Vedic chanting by the temple priests and
Mangala vayadyam (playing holy ragas with musical instruments). This signaled
the start of Brahmotsavam. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and
invites the Devas to attend the celebration. The seven-day celebrations included
a variety of religious rituals like Yagasala pravesam, Pradhana Kalasa Sthapana,
Nitya Homas, Dolotsavam, Srinivasa Visesha Kalyanam, Durga deepa puja, Maha
Mangala Harati, spiritual discourses, cultural programs etc.,
Every day, utsava murtis are adorned in various special alamkaras and taken
in procession around the temple (prakarotsavam) on different vahanas like Hamsa
Vaahana, Gaja Vaahana, Vrishabha Vaahana, Ashwa Vaahana etc., once in the
morning and once in the evening.
The concluding day of Brahmotsavam on Sunday, May 27 is celebrated in a grand
way with Avabhritha Utsava (special abhishekams for the utsava Murti). The
Sudarsana Chakra is bathed and afterwards the Chakra was placed on a high
platform, which facilitated devotees walked under it and be blessed with the
water dripping down from Sudarsana.
Utsava murtis were taken around the temple in a uniquely decorated chariot
(Grand Ratha Yatra) on Saturday, May 26. Visesha sayanotsavam was held on
Sunday, May 27 followed by Maha Satyanarayana Puja by devotees on Monday, May
28. Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam was done on Tuesday, May 29 on the
eve of Siva temple 13th Pratishta day.
Brahmotsavam and annual celebrations provided a unique opportunity for all
devotees to participate in the festivities and receive the blessings of Lord.
Smt. Sobha Parasuram recited Srimad Bhagavata dasama Skanda, Prof. Vasudha
Narayanan spoke about worldwide Hindu culture, temples and about Hindu temple of
Atlanta. Pujya Swami Abhishek Chaitanya Ji of Rishikesh spoke two days on
Bhagavad Gita and Uddhav Gita during the celebrations.
All the deities in the Balaji and Siva Temples wore a dazzling look in their
ornate fineries and colorful garlands. Festivals and food go together!
exquisitely prepared food (Maha Prasad) was given during 7-day celebrations to
all devotees free of cost. HTA dress code was strictly implemented. Devotees who
came with shorts, athletic gear, torn jeans, and dresses shorter than knee
length were promptly given Indian clothing to enter shrines of the temple.
Trustees, executive committee members and devout volunteers under the guidance
of Smt. Kusuma Kotte, president of the temple and Smt. Phani Tummala, puja
committee chair made excellent arrangements for the Brahmotsavam celebrations.
Thousands of devotees from across the state and outside offered prayers on the
occasion of annual celebrations and Brahmotsavam
The Hindu Temple, an iconic resplendent landmark in Riverdale, Georgia, is well
known for its spiritual, cultural, educational and community services to the
Georgia community. The Temple has played a sterling role in enriching the
religious diversity and enhancing the multi-cultural image of Georgia.