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RANGASWAMY • December 20, 1996 


Sri Venkatachalatheesham Sriyadyasita Vakshitam
Sritachetana MandAram Srinivasam Aham Bhaje

Dear Members of the Bhakti List,

I saw a couple of posts about Vaikunta Ekadasi and therefore, thought I 
shall share with all of you an account of the celebration at the 
Ashland Temple. I went to the Temple this morning at 6.30 by which 
time Suprabatham had been completed. Several devotees had assembled by then. 
The Utsava Murthis of Perumal and Thayar were beautifully decorated by Sri 
Balaji Bhattar and Sri Krishna Bhattar, the resident priests of the Temple. 
On a frigid Boston morning, all of us participated in a carrying the Lord 
and his consort in a procession through the Vaikunta Dwaram. 

Prior to the 
procession, Sri Krishna Bhattar performed a beautiful Tiruvaradhanam, with 
the recitation of Veda Mantrams and Azhwar Pasurams, with special emphasis
on today's Pasuram for Dhanur Masam "Maayanai.....".  Upon conclusion of 
the procession, Sri Balaji Bhattar lead the assembled devotees in chanting 
Sri Tondaradipodi Azhwar's outpourings. Each line ending with Aranga Taravanai 
PaLLiyane made the surroundings resonate and similar to the vibrations in 
Srirangam and Tirupati. This was followed by the chanting of Tiruppavai. 
The proceedings were concluded by a Deeparadhanam. Sri Balaji Bhattar 
gave a brilliant explanation of the significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi, 
filled with numerous references from the Taittriya Upanishad, Vaikunta 
Gadyam, Charma Shlokam, Narayana Upanishad and works of Swami Desikan. It 
was a delightful experience to be at the Temple on this blessed day.

Sri Ranganayaki Sametha Sri Ranganathaswami ParabrahmaNe Namaha,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy