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Three-month Archana begins in Riverdale
Religious fervor and gaiety marked the beginning of three month long Sri Mahalakshmi Koti Kumkum (vermilion) Archana that was held on Akshaya Tadiya, Sunday, May 16 at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, as hundreds of devotees thronged the temple to witness the rituals. The day’s program started with abhishekam. After carrying kalasams and Utsava murtis of Lord Vishnu and Sri Maha Lakshmi in a colorful procession around the temple (parikrama), about 300 hundred devotees individually performed puja, praying to Goddess Lakshmi for both material and spiritual wealth.
Ten priests from India are assisting the temple priests here. They will recite Sri Mahalakshmi Sahasranamam every day 100 times, reciting various names of Sri Mahalakshmi more than 100,000 times daily for three months for a total of one crore times. Approximately 1100 kilograms (over 2425 pounds) of kumkum brought from India will be used.
This is the first time Sri Mahalakshmi Koti Kumkumaarchana is being performed in the southeast part of USA. Ten years ago the Pittsburg temple performed it. Dr. Hyma Mikkilineni explained that this once-in-a-lifetime celebration, concluding with a three-day festival from August 20-22, is not to be missed.
Three-month Archana begins in Riverdale
By: Ravi R. Ponangi
July 2010
Three-month Archana begins in Riverdale
Religious fervor and gaiety marked the beginning of three month long Sri Mahalakshmi Koti Kumkum (vermilion) Archana that was held on Akshaya Tadiya, Sunday, May 16 at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, as hundreds of devotees thronged the temple to witness the rituals. The day’s program started with abhishekam. After carrying kalasams and Utsava murtis of Lord Vishnu and Sri Maha Lakshmi in a colorful procession around the temple (parikrama), about 300 hundred devotees individually performed puja, praying to Goddess Lakshmi for both material and spiritual wealth.
Ten priests from India are assisting the temple priests here. They will recite Sri Mahalakshmi Sahasranamam every day 100 times, reciting various names of Sri Mahalakshmi more than 100,000 times daily for three months for a total of one crore times. Approximately 1100 kilograms (over 2425 pounds) of kumkum brought from India will be used.
This is the first time Sri Mahalakshmi Koti Kumkumaarchana is being performed in the southeast part of USA. Ten years ago the Pittsburg temple performed it. Dr. Hyma Mikkilineni explained that this once-in-a-lifetime celebration, concluding with a three-day festival from August 20-22, is not to be missed.
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