Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's Mandalapuja at Chidambaram

A mandalapuja was sponsored at Chidambaram on May 8 by a small group of devotees. The inspiration to call on Siva Nataraja to bless Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami for a long life and powerful mission came in the form of this all day event, during his nakshatra. Sheela Venkatakrishnan was able to be at the temple on May 8 to present Satguru's name in the sankalpam, which is the beginning of the puja, stating the intention and what is to follow. The following captions are Sheela's account of the special day. Enjoy!

We were at the Yagashala near the Thousand-pillared Hall at 3:30 p.m. The vastrams distributed to the priests and the japa started around 4.

The main priest sat with me for the sankalpam around 4:30. The homa kundams were getting prepared, as were the kalasams, holding water for the abhishekam of the Sphatika Lingam.

I could hear the Dikshitar give me instructions and I saw myself following him and doing what he said.

What followed was a good four hours of homa at the nine homa kundams, so potent that after a few minutes, it all acquired an other-wordly feel.

Then it was purnahauti time and soon after the kalasams (which they call \

gadam\') were carried into the main shrine, the Ponnambalam, I was asked to carry the tray with fruits, gold coins and vastrams for Nataraja and Ambal.'

Walking right alongside the main kalasams, from the yagashala, to the east entry, around the praharam to the kodimaram, past the Perumal shrine, down the steps to the left entrance to the Citrambalam.

Nandi was receiving His abhishekam. Then the Sphatika Lingam was brought out and abhishekam started. Simultaneously, the vastrams and garlands and coins were offered to Nataraja and Ambal, aarti performed and prasadam placed in my hands as I stood at the first silver step, so close to His Feet.

The Dikshitar took everything from my hands and left me to sit in a corner and absorb it all. After what seemed like ages, I assembled myself to get up. I requested they start the Annadanam without me. I felt like I would explode!

The Dikshitars mother and other members stayed to do the needful, while he came back with me, got me comfortable for the night and went back to the Temple to finish up and have his meal. In a state between sleep and wakefulness, I drifted.

Awake suddenly at 5:45 the next morning I went to the Temple again for 9 a.m. darshan of the Rahasyam. The aarti is shown at the different kala pujas to a kalasam kept there for the 48 days, the screen is not drawn back to reveal the Vilva leaves. Which means I will go back again on the 49th day to see Him in that form. Aum Namah Sivaya!

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