HTA SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
SHOW CASES SPECTACULAR DEVOTION, CULTURE AND TRADITION

By Ravi R Ponangi
 

Utsava deities of Sridevi, Bhudevi Sahita Sri Balaji

Atlanta, GA: The spectacular 11-day silver Jubilee celebrations of the installation of idols of Sri Balaji, Lakshmi, Bhudevi and Durga witnessed a large number of devotees at the Hindu temple of Atlanta (HTA), Riverdale. 25th anniversary celebrations were held in the temple from May 19 to 29.

HTA is one of the oldest temple in USA and is well known for its religious, spiritual, cultural, educational and service activities. The temple celebrated it’s 25 years of service to community in a grand scale. 11-day Silver jubilee celebrations at the temple had a huge turn out and included several religious rituals, Sri Venkateshwara Kalyanam, Sahasra Deepa Alankarana, cultural performances, devotional discourses and Radha yatra. Every day, the Utsava vigrahas are decorated with different alankarams and Utsava vigrahas are taken in a procession around the temple premises on different vahanas like Hamsa vahana, Simha vahana, Garuda vahana, Aswa vahana and Chandra Prabha vahana based on Lord Vishnu legends.
This is a feast for the eyes of the devotees who believe that this sight heralds prosperity to those who gather there. Each vahana has its own significance, and conveys the Lord’s message in its own way.

Silver jubilee celebrations of the installation of idols of Sri Balaji, Lakshmi, Bhudevi and Durga brought together devotees and followers of Hinduism not only from Georgia but also from neighboring states of South east of America. The HTA silver Jubilee celebrations featured a 11 day (May 19-29) Vishwa Shanti Venkateshwara Ashtakshari Mahamantra Yagam & Nava Chandi Yagam in the temple complex, an iconic resplendent landmark in Riverdale, Georgia for universal peace, happiness and to benefit the community. 11 day celebrations also included cultural performances, homas, Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam, many traditional rituals, Vedic chantings, Bhajans, special devotional discourses by Swami Siddheswarananda of Courtallam, Tamilnadu, India and much more. The high light of this religious celebration was Radha yatra (chariot procession), circumambulating Utsava vigrahas (presiding deities) around temple. Devotees of the temple pulled the chariot, singing and dancing while pulling the chariot.

Temple president Kusuma Kotte and other devotees presenting a new silver crown to Lord Balaji

Many past presidents and devotees of the temple reminiscence their association with the Hindu temple of Atlanta. Dr. Ravi Sarma, past president of the temple said the thought of the temple started in 1980s. He told that we look at the temple as a source of strength to all of us. HTA has got 31 plus years history of rich tradition. It has an amount of respect that comes out of quality, energy from uthauncity of services that the temple provides. The temple also serves as source of support for arts, culture and literature.

While commending the services of the temple, His Holiness Swami Siddheswaranandaji of 100-year-old Courtallam Ashram, Tamilnadu, India who graced the celebration said in America there are many temples today and they are serving the community very satisfactorily. Yagnas, pujas, homas, abhishekams and all kinds of rituals will help world peace. By performing these rituals during silver Jubilee celebrations invoke God’s divine energy and divine source to help not only individuals but also benefit community. He exhorted devotees to develop divine wisdom by practicing meditation, japa, chanting mantras and by doing yagnas.
 

Priest Varadaraja Bhattar performing a ritual to Sahasra Kalasas

During the silver Jubilee celebrations, temple priests, employees, volunteers and trustees were recognized and honored for their committed services in the presence of temple community.

Kusuma Kotte, the current president of the temple thanked all the generous sponsors, trustees, past Presidents, Executive Committee members, temple staff, volunteers and all the visitors and devotees from all parts of the southeast for making the eleven-day silver jubilee celebrations a grand success that was held during the Memorial Day weekend.