Chaturmasya Sankalpam of HH 46th Srimath Azhagiyasingar at Selayur

HH 46th Srimad Azhagiyasingar, Srimathe Srivan Sathakopa Sri Ranganatha Yatindra Mahadesikan is observing His sixth Chaturmasya Vratam at Sri Ahobila Mutt in Selayur, Chennai from today July 12th, 2014 (Saturday) until September 9th 2014. During this time, the 119th Thirunakshatram of Srimath Mukkur Azhagiyasingar, HH 44th Srimath Azhaigyasingar, SriVan Sathakopa Sri Vedantha Desika Yathindra Mahadesikan, will be celebrated for five days starting August 25, 2014 culminating in HH’s Thirunakshatram on August 29, 2014 (Aavani Hastham). Sri Malola Vidwat Sadas will also take place during these five days.

For Part 2 coverage, please visit http://anudinam.org/2014/07/12/chaturmasya-sankalpam-of-hh-46th-srimath-azhagiyasingar-at-selayur-part-2/

For importance of Chaturmasyam, please visit http://anudinam.org/2013/07/26/what-is-chathurmasyam/

On Guru Purnima day sanyasis make a vow to stay at a particular place during the rainy season, since sancharam may cause accidental death to insects and worms.The Nitya Abhigamanam was done as usual. Srimad Azhagiasingar blessed devotees with Sri Shatari after theertham.  After this there was goshti viniyogam. This was followed by Mruth Sangrahanam, that is some mud was collected and consecrated and aradhanam was done for Bhu Varaha Perumal and Bhumi Piratti. Srimad Azhagiasingar dug mud with a silver spade. The consecrated mud was collected in baskets and taken to HH’s ashram. While Bhu Varaha aradhanam was done, sambhavanai was done to the assembled Sri Vaishnavas.  Everyone present got coconut prasadam that was offered to Bhu varahan along with tamboolam. After this Srimad Azhagiasingar left for Tirumudi villakam. After returning Chaturmasya sankalpam was done. Srimath Azhagiyasingar made the vow to stay in Selayur for chaturmasyam and the assembled sishyas and abimaanis expressed their happiness and made symbolic offerings of two coconuts and offered dandavath pranams. After sankalpam Mangala Harathi for the deities of swarna mandapam was done and all devotees got theertham and Sri shatari. After this Divya desa maryadyas were brought inside to the accompaniment of nadhaswaram. The celebrations were followed by a grand Thadeearadhanam.

It is the 616th ChAthurmAsya vratam  to be observed by the Azhagiya Singars of SrI Matam founded in the year 1399 C.E by Lord Lakshmi Narasimhan Himself at Ahobilam.

Chaathurmaasya vratham is very important for sanyasis of every kind. From Sanyasis ranging from Kootika (one who resides in a hut) to sanyasis on sancharam observe this sanyasa dharma anushtanam without fail. It is very pleasing for the Lord to see the sanyasis observe this annual vratham. The power of this vratham increases every day from the first to the last day of the observance. This vratham lasts from 2 to 4 months.

During the four months starting from Avani and ending up with Karthikai, it is rainy season in India. Many insects and worms are created in the soil during this time. Since sancharam by the sanyasis might cause accidental death to these living entities, the sanyasis take a vow not to travel during those four months and stay put at one place.

A sanyasi is required to move around often by his dharma. That results in the sanyasi not having enough time during these sancharams to perform japam, homam, aaradhanam, upadesams and reflections on the sasthras. To make up for lost time and to facilitate such karmas and studies, a sanyasi is required to slow down and stay at one place for four months. sasthras point out that any good deed done during the Chaathurmaasya kaalam yield infinitely greater fruits than those done during the rest of the 8 months of the year.

Some of the photos and videos taken earlier today at Sri Ahobila Mutt Selayur during Srimath Azhagiyasingar’s Chaturmasaya Sankalpam can be viewed below, Few more videos and photos will be updated later this evening:

Morning during Vishvaroopa Darisanam

During Mangala Harathi

During Mruth Sangrahanam and back to Ashramam for Thirumudivilakam

During Neeratam after Thirumudivilakam

Back to Sannidhi, Panchasanthi and Afternoon Aradhanam and Arathi

Divya Desa Maalai Mariyadhai and back to Ashramam

Photography by Sri Pazhaveri Sriram, Sri Venkatesan Balaji and Srinivasan