Thousands of devotees flocks Hindu Temple for Vaikunta Ekadasi & New Year 2023
By Ravi Ponangi

Atlanta, GA: The Hindu Temple of Atlanta celebrated Vaikunta Ekadasi on January 2 and the Hindu Temple of Atlanta's signature event, "Navodaya 2023," on January 1 with a lot of fervor, grandeur, and dedication. In order to gain the blessings of the divine for a successful and healthy 2023, thousands of devotees from Georgia and neighboring states flocked to both Shiva and Balaji temple.

About 15, 000 devotees and visitors enjoyed a joyous and spiritually suffused 20th Navodaya and Vaikunta Ekadasi festivals with day long events on both days. All the deities at the temple were decorated with fresh flowers and Archanas (rituals) were performed all day long. There were lot of activities besides several vendors and stores were set up. As the day progressed more and more devotees arrived inside the two temples and after offering prayers, went around exchanging Happy New Year greetings, visiting and shopping at HTA Gift Shop and also at various booths inside the auditorium. Children were engaged and entertained by a clown. Face, nail and palm-painting, balloon-twisting and popcorn also added to children’s fun activities. Indian Festivals and food go together!

The varied menu of South Indian vegetarian splendors like spicy idly sambhar, masala dosas, tamarind or curd rice, Upma, boondi laddoos, Mysore Pak, samosas, Mysore Bonda and savories lovingly prepared in the Temple’s kitchen, by Kitchen staff and score of volunteers and served in the spacious banquet hall, by the cheerful and enthusiastic youth volunteers was relished by all. The banquet hall remained packed with devotees enjoying mouth-watering food.

Dr. Manga Raju Vanapally, founder trustee and past president of the temple installed new executive committee for calendar years 2023 and 2024. A long-time volunteer Aravind Goli is the new president of the temple. Along with him other office bearers and committee chairs are also assumed charge of office on January1.

Dr. Sarvesh Naidu, past president of the temple released the Calendar/Panchangam for calendar year 2023 especially prepared for Atlanta Sun rise and sun set timings. The HTA Calendar is known and trusted for accuracy and is used by thousands of users. The calendar is a depiction of the profiles of the HTA. The HTA meets a great need of our community in providing details of the most important festivals and days of religious significance on the Hindu calendar. 

DEVOTIONAL FERVOUR MARKS VAIKUNTA EKADASI CELEBRATIONS AT HTA: Scores of devotees thronged Balaji temple on Monday (January 2nd) morning on the occasion of ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ festival. This significant day of Vaikunta Ekadasi considered as the once-in-a-year power time of Lord Vishnu is observed at Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale. Devotees patiently waited in Lines since early morning to have Balaji’s darshan through Vaikunta Dwaram. The Vaikunta Dwaram erected specially on the occasion was thrown open for devotees in the early hours of Monday, january2nd. Hindus world over believe that one who passes through this Dwaram on this Vaikunta Ekadasi day gets rid of all the sins and attain moksha.

Vishnu devotees believe that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the Lord's Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. The Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the Lunar calendar is known as a 'Vaikunta Ekadashi.' Special prayers, Continuous chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana, Archanas and Bhagavadgita Parayana by the students of Mysore Datta Peetham are highlights of Vaikunta Ekadasi at the temple on this auspicious day. The entire temple was charged with religious ecstasy.
 

Prashanti Asireddy, the out going president of the temple briefed about recent accomplishments of Hindu temple of Atlanta. She said that she was very blessed and greatly honored to be in the service of HTA as president for years 2022 and 23. The temple has come out of COVID and it was a tough time that temple has seen a drop in funds from devotees coming in. There was lot of skepticism, how we are going to pick up and run and go forward. But by the God’s grace and blessings came out of that and actually temple financially sound. Lot of devotees are coming and we are fantastic in the one and half year. We have wonderful devotees, trustees, volunteers, priests, staff, EC members and every one supported temple relentlessly with out any conditions. Thanking the temple community, Prashant Asireddy requested for continuous support and urged devotees to participate, contribute and volunteer for keeping up tradition to make HTA great.
 

The Incoming President Aravind Goli who took charge as president of temple today about his goals to take forward the activities of the temple. He said it’s a great opportunity provided by trustees to serve temple as president for calendar years 2023 and 24. The incoming Executive Committee would like to welcome the entire Indian community to the temple not only on January 1st but throughout the year to participate in all events and get Lord's blessings. He said HTA is on the fore front to improve Indian culture, traditions, practices and to Hindu Religion to immigrants here and at the same time inculcate interest about Hindu religion to Indian children who born and brought up here.

The Hindu Temple, a famous and beautiful landmark in Riverdale, Georgia, is well recognized for providing the Indian community with spiritual, cultural, and educational services. The Temple has made a significant contribution to Georgia's religious variety and multicultural image.