9.12.2024
126th year Radhakalyana Mahothsavam in Vilangudi
Village on 28.12.2024
Namasankeerthanam deeply rooted in the tiny village
By V Balasubramanian
Namasankeerthanam as a popular Bhakthi programme is deeply
rooted in Villages in Tamil Nadu not to speak of its increasing popularity
among devotees in a number of urban centres.
In the next couple of
weeks, Radhe! Radhe! Govinda! Govinda! Radhe Krishna! Jai Sitharam! Hare Rama!,
Hare Krishna! Vittala! Panduranga! Swamiya
Saranam Iyappa! and other Bhagvan Namas chanted by Bhagavathas and devotees
will be reverberating in the Perumal temple
in a tiny village, Vilangudi near Kumbakonam.
The Vilangudi Village has an unbroken record of conducting Radha
Kalyanam Utsav in Sri Venkatramana Swamy Perumal Temple for more than a century
with the support of villagers hailing from the village and well wishers.
Following this unique tradition, the 126th year
Radhakalyana Mahothsavam will be performed in the Perumal Temple in Vilangudi
Village from 26th to 28th December 2024. The Utsav will
commence with Bhajan programmes on 26th December culminating in
Radha Kalyanam, the celestial or divine wedding of Lord Krishna and Sri Radha
on Saturday, 28th December 2024.
Namasangeerthanam programmes will be conducted by Udayalur
Dr. K. Kalyanarama Bhagavathar, a veteran in the field. He will be leading a
galaxy of leading Bhagavathas and supporting artists in enthralling Bhajan
lovers with their superb performance, singing Thodaya Mangalam, Guru Kirthans,
Jayadeva ‘s 24 Ashtapathis (Gita Govindam) apart from Namavalis.
The traditional Divya Naamam or Deepa Pradakshinam will
see keen participation by aged and young devotees with their reverence to Lord
Krishnna.
Natives from the village and other devotees are expected to
enthusiastically attend the Utsav. During the three days, for several hours
during day and night, devotees will have an opportunity to witness the enchanting
performance of Bhagavathas.
As in the past, the
divine connect programme is expected to prove an ideal occasion for them to
keep away from routine life and relief tension and stress.
Mr. K. Subramanian and his younger brother, Mr. K.
Venugopalan, who are sons of late Sri. Kalyanasundara Bhagavathar, who was a
legendary bhaghavathar, have been conducting the Utsav with utmost dedication
for several decades in the village with the support of volunteers and
villagers.
They and other members of the organising committee of
Vilangudi Seva Trust say as in the past, this year too Mahothsavam will be marked by several hours of Bhajan performance by leading Bhaghavathas.
Venugopalan proudly says “Vilangudi Utsav is unique and
performed in Perumal Temple by Bhagavatha Sironmanis following the Pracheena
Sampradaya Bhajan Pandhathi and the customs laid down by late Bhagavathas of
this village”.
Subramanian adds, “Namasankeerthanam has for centuries been
a road to peace and harmony in the minds of people and it helps in realising
the Supreme creator. Any Prayer that is set to music is easy to follow and
participate. Keeping this dictum in right earnestness, our ancestors had conducted
the Uthsavam every year and we take pride in continuing this unique divine
tradition”.
Oranisers of Vilangudi Radhakalyanam utsavam appreciated the deep interest shown by the natives of
the villages as well as by others from different places in attending the Utsav
every year and contribute liberally as donation to meet food, accomodation and
other expenses.
Sri Venkatramana Swamy is a powerful almighty and family God
for several natives of this village. They fondly remember the miracles they
have experienced in their life with blessings of Perumal and by attending Radha
Kalyana Utsav every year.
How
Bakthi wave in Vilangudi kept Cyclone Thane at bay in 2011
In December 2011, cyclone
Thane was playing havoc with normal life in some coastal regions of Tamil Nadu
and Puducherry. That time, Vilangudi village had no semblance of the disaster.
It saw scores of devotees totally submerged in the wave of namasankeertana mela organised from December
28 to 31, 2011.
That time, the mela attracted leading Bhagavathas and a
large number of Bhajan lovers. The occasion coincided with the conduct of 113rd
year Sri Radha Kalyanam utsav in Sri Venkatramana Swamy temple in the village.
The organisers of
Utsav had ventured into organising the first major Bhajan Mela with
participation by leading Bhagavathas. They had anxious moments when there a was
cyclone warning. Fortunately, with blessings of Lord Sri Venkataramana Swamy,
Thane cyclone was kept at bay by Bakthi wave that swept the mela during the
four days.
--
- Sri K. Subramanian in Vilangudi Perumal Temple
Namasankeerthana Three Moorthigal in Tanjore region
Sri Radha Kalyanam Utsavam in Vilangudi Village
Brothers K. Subramanian & K. Venugopalan in Vilangudi Temple function
Sri Radha Kalyanam Utsavam in Vilangudi Village
- Sri K. Subramanian, an embodiment of dedication and service, has been conducting the Utsav for several decades with support of volunteers.
Renovated Radhakalyana Utsav mandapam in Vilangudi Perumal Temple
From left: Vilangudi Ramanatha Bhagathavar, Sri Kalyanasundara Bagavathar and Sri Viswanatha Baghavathar
------
- Author V. Balasubramanian in Perumal Temple in Vilangudi Village
- The author, V. Balasubramanian , an economic analyst and corporate communication professional, is an admirer of Namasankeerthanam for over five decades. He hails from Vilangudi village near Kumbakonam. His Mail id: visbala@gmail.com
Very well said. Vilangudi and radha kalyanam are synonymous. My parents, chittappa and athais family make it a point not to miss radha kalyanam. Venkatramana swamy's divine powers can't ve explained in words. Sri UKB mama bhajans bring a Midas touch to the radha kalyanam. Watching over live youtube is another experience by itself
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written. The cohesive spirit exhibited by all the descendents of the village across generations to ensure the tradition and practice are continued for ever is extremely commendable.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for excellent comments on my article. I feel excited and insipired by your words. Radhe Krishna!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent ! Very well written. I can see the high spirit kept alive in this village for such long years !!
ReplyDeleteVilangudi Radha kalyanam is always special for many reasons like Bala sir narrated. It's not easy to continue the same commitment and discipline the first generation of bagavathas showed 125 years ago. People like me are in 6th generation witnessing our kuladeivam Radha kalyanam. Like Bala sir mentioned, whether cyclone or corona, the event is happening with same commitment. We pray our swamy to bless us for many more generation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for recalling our old bhagavathas. May their blessings be showered on us.
ReplyDelete