Grand 5-day Mahalakshmi Yagam in American Tirupati

By samyuktha

Published: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 16:15 [IST]

Pittsburg, Jul 28: An American edition of the world famous south Indian Tirupati Temple of Lord Venkateswara located in Pittsburg is getting set for a grand five-day long Sri Mahalakshmi Yagam through Aug 11- Aug 15, 2010.

Besides the Hindus residing in the United States, Sri Venkateswara Temple here is expecting to receive a massive influx of devotees from across the borders.

During the five day Yagam dedicated to Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty, several poojas will be conducted by Sri Sri Sri Thidandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji along with four veda parayana priests.

The religious fest promises to be a cultural treat as well with live performances from nadaswaram (a popular classical wind instrument from south India) artists from India along with other programs planned as 'Sangeetha Seva' or musical offering to Lord Venkateswara.

On the fifth and final day of the Yagam, Lord Venkateshwara will be adorned with golden armour or 'Swarna Kavacha' which includes a wheel 'Chakra', a conch or 'Sanka', a hand granting wishes to the devotees or 'Varada Hasthan', hand enabling devotees to go through life with ease or 'Katika Hastham', and ear lobes or 'Karna Patram'. All the items are made of gold and have been donated from India.

When the 'Sri Venkateswara swarna kavacha samarpanam' ceremony ends, in turn marking the end of the Yagam, the Lord Venkateshwara at Pittsburg will completely take form to resemble the one in the Andhra Pradesh's temple town of Tirupati.