IACRF has brought "Bhadrachalam Sita Rama Kalyanam" to Phoenix on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 6PM at Ekta Mandir on the auspicious occasion of SriRam Navami. Indian diapsora, especially Hindu community has attended the celestial wedding ceremony in large number and received the blessings of Lord SriRam and Mata Sita.

IACRF Director Shyam Byra chaired the program along with Co-Chairs Ravi Ameta and Sita Raman. Senior Priest VR Sudarshanji performed the Kalyanotsavam and Telugu Association has sponsored the Mahaprasad. Many children have participated in the Arts and Quiz competition related to Ramayana.

About Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy shrine at Bhadrachalam

The Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy shrine at Bhadrachalam is the most famous temple in India, dedicated to Lord SriRam. The Temple is situated on the left bank of the Godavari river. It is a holy place of pilgrimage, that is considered to be one of the greatest holy shrines in South India with a very rich and unique historical background. The puranic and historic facts relates that Lord Rama long after he had shed his mortal coils manifested himself to save his devotee Bhadra Maharshi whom he promised 'moksha' after intensive prayer.

Lord SriRam appeared in a dream of a woman called Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of vigrahas on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise she found the Vigrahas and put up a modest structure. The Temple was constructed in the 17th Century by the local Tahsildar, Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhakta Ramadas, a fervent devotee of Lord Sri Ram.

What is Sita Rama Kalyanam?

Rama and Sita represent the ideal Godly husband and wife in the Hindu religion, who are revered and worshipped all over India. Rama's story, otherwise known as Ramayana, is a great Indian epic. Kalyanotsavam literally means Marriage Festival and is the re-depiction of the Celestial marriage between Sita & Rama. It is performed to the Utsava Murti - of Sri Rama and Sita Devi. A purohit (priest) conducts the marriage and an archaka is consecrated to perform other rituals on behalf of the bridegroom. The wedding ceremony is held according to Agamas (rules) that were defined thousands of years before. This is followed by recitation of Vedic mantras and pronouncing the family pedigree of the brides and bridegroom. After the priests perform appropriate homas, the bridegroom and the bride are seated next to each other. This is followed by Mangala sutra dharana, Panigrahnam and then Lord and his consort are garlanded.

By Premji