Srinivasa Kalyanam held in Hindu Temple, Minnesota

Minnepolis: Srinivasa Kalyanam held with pomp and religious fervour at Hindu Temple of Minnesota on May 24. The celestial wedding of Lord Sri Venkateswara held under the aegis of TTD was witnessed by thousands of devotees who participated in various sevas and Srivari Kalyanam.

A group of 6 vedic priests from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam arrived in Minnepolis along with Utsava Vigrahas from Tirupati. The ever popular Tirupati laddoo prasadam also brought in from Tirupathi added authenticity to whole event.

Indian community in Minnesota and specially telugu community are excited to see their 'Ista Daivaam and Ilavelpu' in their own town. Hindu Temple of Minnesota in Maplegrove town was vibrating with chanting of 'Govinda Goovinda' all day long.

The religious festivity started with Suprabhata seva in the morning followed by Tomala seva and Astapadadlarchana. Despite being a working day many enthusiastic devotees attended morning sevas. The after noon session began with procession of Tirupathi Utsava Vigrahas around the temple.

Devotees participated in large number for the procession chanting Govinda Govinda and took turns to carry the pallaki of deities. Though the day started with heavy rain with down pour devotees and organizers want to do the procession as planned.

They prayed rain god to be merciful and HE heard the prayers and rain stopped for every ones joy and procession completed successfully.

The deities procession entered the temple auditorium for Kalyanotsavam. Auditorium stage was beautifully decorated with arches, Shaku, Charam and flowers to resemble Tirupati.

Tirupathi priests along with Hindu Temple priests peformed Sri Vari Kalyanam in traditional way while local singers singing Annamacharaya snakeertanas and other Venkateshwara songs during the wedding ceremony.

A packed auditorium of over 1000 devotees thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the ceremony and were immensely pleased to to have the Tirupati experience in close proximity. After Kalyanam a traditional telugu 'Pelli Bhojanam' was served to all devotees.

Hindu Temple President Naina Varanasi thanked TTD, visiting priests, and the board member Sri Rautu Suryaparakasharao for this rare opportunity.

Temple Chairman Byran Byraiah appreciated the Kalyanam Organizing committee members Mahipathi, Vasanth Changanti, Venkat Kothur, Narendra Venkata, Anandi Bala and numerous volunteers for their efforts making it a grand success. TTD priests and board member Rautu Surya Prakasa Rao were felicitated with plaques and shawls.