Sriman Trust's Avani Avittam Festivites 2025

 

Avani Avittam was celebrated with great pomp, here at the Sriman Trust.

The first day witnessed SriVaishnava devotees changing their poonals(sacred thread also known as Yagnopavità in Sanskrit) amidst chanting of Veda mantras. The festivities took place at the Kanayali Anajaneya Temple in Vasanth Nagar. The festivities kicked off at 5.30 am with the customary tonsure of the head, followed by a ritual bath. Following the bath, the devotees assembled at the temple, first getting the blessings of Gayatri Mata and Kanayali Anjaneya. Meanwhile, the 'vaathiyar', Shri Balaji had reached. The devotees then performed their Pratáh Sandhyavandham and sat down to change their poonals. Then followed, a series of diffrent Yagnas including the Brahma Yagnam, which as per one devotee has to be performed every single day along with the daily anusthanams. He also lamented that nowadays it also become a thing of the past, with no or little bhagavatas having time to do it.

Vaathiyar Balaji initiating the proceedings

 It is to be understood that we are living in a fast paced world, where austerities and traditions of the past find it very difficult to be accoumsted in everyday life. However, we should also be remindful that we live in kali yuga, where there are expections. A samhita dhanam was also performed.Finally with Balaji Vaathiyar prescribing the mantras, all devotees changed their yagnopavitas. All of the devotees headed straight to the gurukulams madapalli where lunch was to be taken. Here, the devotees were informed to report at 8.00 the next morning.

The next morning Devotees performed their morning sandhyvandham and around 8.50, the homam fire was lit. As the devotees chanted the auspicious 'Gayatri Mantra', samhit dipped with ghee was offered to Agni. A total of 6048 'Gayatri Mantras' were chanted by the 6 devotees. There were particularly three auspicious events that took place at this particular day.

Devotees chanting the Gayatri Mantra 

1) The entire Homam was performed before Devi Gayatri Mata herself!!!

2) Series of Random pictures of the Homam Pit showed that an ample number of gods had visited and blessed the devotees!!!

3) Kanaiyali Anjaneyar and Devi Gayathri,both presiding detites of the temple, blessed the devotees!!!

This writer thanks the Sriraman trust for the wonderful devotional experience with the blessings of all gods.