Significance of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana - 3 days festival

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana is a festival that commemorates the life and teachings of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, a great saint and scholar of the Dvaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. He was the head of the Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, which is a prominent religious institution in South India. He was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu and worshipped the idol of Moola Rama, which he received from his guru Sri Sudhindra Tirtha.

Why is it celebrated

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana is celebrated to mark the day when Sri Raghavendra Swamy entered the Brindavanam for his Samadhi, which is a state of deep meditation and union with God. He entered the Brindavanam on Sravana Krishna Paksha Dwitiya or the second day during the waning phase of moon in Sravana masam as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Karnataka. He chose this day because it was auspicious for him, as it coincided with his birthday and also the day when he received sanyasa (renunciation) from his guru. He also predicted that he would live in the Brindavanam for 700 years and bless his devotees who seek his grace.

Historic significance

• Sri Raghavendra Swamy was born in 1595 CE in Bhuvanagiri, Tamil Nadu. He was named Venkatanatha and showed extraordinary intelligence and devotion from his childhood. He mastered various branches of knowledge, such as grammar, logic, music, astrology, and Vedanta. He also composed many works on Dvaita philosophy, such as Parimala, Nyaya Muktavali, Bhashya Ratna Prabha, and Mantralaya Mahatmya. He was initiated into sanyasa by Sri Sudhindra Tirtha in 1621 CE and given the name Raghavendra Tirtha.
   
• He travelled extensively across India and spread the message of Dvaita Vedanta. He also performed many miracles to help his devotees and prove the supremacy of Lord Vishnu. One of his most famous miracles was his encounter with Bheema, a Muslim Nawab of Adoni, who tested his powers by offering him a plate of meat covered with a cloth. Sri Raghavendra Swamy turned the meat into fruits and flowers by sprinkling holy water on it. Bheema was astonished and became his devotee.
   
• He also established many mutts (monasteries) and temples across India. He chose Manchale (now Mantralayam) as his final abode because it was a sacred place where many sages had performed penance in the past. He also found a suitable spot for his Brindavanam near the Tungabhadra river. He entered the Brindavanam on August 16, 1671 CE after giving his final discourse to his disciples and devotees. He asked them to chant the name of Lord Vishnu and sing his favourite hymn “Indu Enage Govinda” composed by Sri Purandara Dasa.
• When is it celebrated  Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana is celebrated every year on Sravana Krishna Paksha Dwitiya or the second day during the waning phase of moon in Sravana masam as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Karnataka. This date usually falls in August or September as per Gregorian calendar. The festival lasts for three days: 
• Poorvaradhane: This is the day before Sri Raghavendra Swamy entered the Brindavanam (a sacred tomb) for his Samadhi (a state of deep meditation and union with God). On this day, the devotees perform various rituals, such as bathing the idol with five nectars, offering 108 names of the saint, and waving lamps. They also recite his works and listen to his discourses. They also offer food and clothes to the poor and needy.
• Madhyaradhane: This is the most important day of the festival, when Sri Raghavendra Swamy entered the Brindavanam on the second day during the waning phase of moon in Sravana masam as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Karnataka. He chose this day because it was auspicious for him, as it coincided with his birthday and also the day when he received sanyasa (renunciation) from his guru. He also predicted that he would live in the Brindavanam for 700 years and bless his devotees who seek his grace. On this day, the devotees perform special rituals, such as bathing the idol with 1000 pots of water, taking the idol in a chariot procession, and waving lamps with great devotion. They also chant the name of Lord Vishnu and sing his favourite hymn “Indu Enage Govinda” composed by Sri Purandara Dasa. They also seek his blessings and grace for their wishes and problems.
• Uttararadhane: This is the day after Sri Raghavendra Swamy entered the Brindavanam. On this day, the devotees perform various rituals, such as worshipping the feet of the saint, rocking the cradle of the saint, and distributing holy water and food. They also thank him for his guidance and protection

 

 How is it celebrated across India

• Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by millions of devotees across India and abroad. The main celebrations take place at the Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, where thousands of pilgrims flock to have a glimpse of his Brindavanam and seek his blessings. The matha organises various religious and cultural programs during the festival, such as pujas, homas, abhishekas, bhajans, discourses, music concerts, dance performances, and felicitations. The matha also distributes free food (prasadam) to all the visitors.
   
• The festival is also celebrated in other mutts and temples associated with Sri Raghavendra Swamy across India. The devotees perform various rituals, such as offering flowers, fruits, tulsi leaves, and coconut to his Brindavanam, chanting his stotras and mantras, listening to his stories and miracles, and donating money and clothes to the poor and needy. The devotees also observe fasts and vows during the festival to express their gratitude and devotion to him.
  • The Madhwa Brahmins, who follow the Dvaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, consider Sri Raghavendra Swamy as their guru and worship him as an incarnation of Lord Vayu (the wind god). They also believe that he is the reincarnation of Prahlada, Bheema, and Hanuman, who are also the incarnations of Lord Vayu. They celebrate the festival by performing special pujas and rituals to Lord Vayu and his incarnations.
  • The Telugu-speaking people, who live in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, consider Sri Raghavendra Swamy as their kuladevata (family deity) and worship him as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. They celebrate the festival by performing special pujas and rituals to Lord Vishnu and his various forms, such as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Lord Narasimha. They also sing devotional songs and hymns in praise of Sri Raghavendra Swamy and Lord Vishnu.
  • The Tamil-speaking people, who live in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India, consider Sri Raghavendra Swamy as their ishta devata (favourite deity) and worship him as a guru and a siddha (a perfected being). They celebrate the festival by performing special pujas and rituals to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and his guru Sri Sudhindra Tirtha. They also recite his works on Dvaita philosophy and listen to his discourses.
  • The Kannada-speaking people, who live in Karnataka and other parts of India, consider Sri Raghavendra Swamy as their bhakta vatsala (the lover of devotees) and worship him as a saint and a miracle worker. They celebrate the festival by performing special pujas and rituals to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and his favourite deity Moola Rama. They also sing his favourite hymn “Indu Enage Govinda” composed by Sri Purandara Dasa.
  • The Marathi-speaking people, who live in Maharashtra and other parts of India, consider Sri Raghavendra Swamy as their rayaru (the king) and worship him as a king and a protector. They celebrate the festival by performing special pujas and rituals to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and his patron deity Lord Panduranga (a form of Lord Krishna). They also dance in joy and ecstasy to the tunes of abhangs (devotional songs) composed by various saints.

Thus, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana is a festival that celebrates the devotion and grace of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, who is revered by different communities in different ways. He is a source of inspiration and guidance for all those who seek his blessings. He is a living presence in his Brindavanam, who responds to the prayers and wishes of his devotees. He is a manifestation of God’s love and compassion for humanity. He is Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the guru sarvabhouma (the supreme guru).