HISTORIC MAHA KUMBH ABHISHEKAM AT CHICAGO’S BALAJI TEMPLE FROM 10 to 15 SEP 2024

By Jatinder Singh Bedi, Chief Editor Hello NRI

CHICAGO (AURORA) – Dr Venkata Musunuru the Chairman of the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji)Temple Aurora, has announced that historic Maha Kumbh Abhishek along with Maha Samprokshanam is being organized at the Temple from Sep 10 to 15 this year. Significance of this festival lies in the fact that it comes once in a 12-Year period.

Big excitement and zeal to participate is observed amongst the devotees at the temple and around. Such is the enthusiasm in the community that group after group from various sections of the community have converged at the Balaji Temple to get associated with the celebrations.

To enable community members to wholeheartedly participate in the Festivities, three levels of participative sponsorships and events have been planned. These are Kalasam Sponsorship, Religious Sponsorship and Business Sponsorship.

Of these the Kalasam Sponsorship is the most sought after and utterly significant. The range of Kalasham Sponsorship includes: Gold Kalasam, Gold Plated Kalasam, Large Silver Kalasam, Small Silver Kalasam, Copper Kalasam, Navratna Nyasa Pooja, and Pooja Sponsorship.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam Chairman Dr Raja Yalavarthi informed that all the sponsored Kalasams will be blessed during the Maha Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies, and then returned to the respective donor after the concluding event on September 15, 2024.

Chairman Dr Raja Yalavarthi further added that the Dravyam from all the Kalasams will be used during the Maha Kumbhabhishekam celebrations. It is a cherished gift for safe keeping and to be utilized in future religious ceremonies at home. HE encouraged the devotees to call temple to seek clarifications if any (Tel 630-844-2252).

Balaji Temple Priests Carry The Auspicious Kalasams With Which the Abhishekam Is To Be Performed.

Under the aegis of Hema Chandra Kanuru, a Town Hall Meeting was also organized to update the community about the celebrations. It aimed at accelerating the ongoing preparations for the Maha Kumbhabhishekam and the Maha Samprokshanam Celebrations. Scores of Indian community organizations attended.

Addressing the meeting, Balaji Temple Chairman Dr Venkata Musunuru spoke about the history of the Balaji Temple, gave the details of the future plans and also dwelt on the significance of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam.

Temple’s Religious Chair Mr Ranganatha Hemmige presented the details of the festival organization, the arrangements, and the events planned over the three-day celebration.

DEVOTEE SPONSORSHIPS: To enable devotees participate, three levels of participative sponsorships have been planned. These are Kalasam Sponsorship, Religious Sponsorship and Business Sponsorship. ... The range of Kalasham Sponsorship includes: Gold Kalasam, Gold Plated Kalasam, Large Silver Kalasam, Small Silver Kalasam, Copper Kalasam, Navratna Nyasa Pooja, and Pooja Sponsorship.

Administrative Chair Mr Venkat Atluri also addressed the organization Chairs. He explained the nitty-gritties of the things being done during Maha Kumbhabhishekam and Maha Samprokshanam Celebrations. He explained the arrangements being made for devotees, Prasad Distribution, registration etc.

While seeking the participation of all the organizations, Mr Venkat Atluri sought inputs for the community leaders as well as ideas to do make the celebrations better. Encouraging the community members to whole heartedly join the festivities Mr Venkat Atluri further emphasized: “[One] gets Punya by building a Temple, more Punya by donating a Deity. Punya from participating in Prana Pratishta is immeasurable.”

At the meeting the respective Chairpersons of the attending organizations committed their support to the Maha Kumbhabhishekam and the Maha Samprokshanam Celebrations. The organizations included: LCIA, ATA, TAGC, TANA, TTA, CAA, and several others.

Prominent attendees included: Hema Chandra Kanuru, Gowri Magati, Hanmanth Reddy, Padmarao Appalaneni, Dinkar Karumuri, Chandini Duvvuri, Gopi Pittala, Swetha Kottapalli, Jagdish Kanuru, Santosh Konduru, Rajni Akruti, Sudhir Velpula, Karunakar Madhawaram, Satya Kandimalla, Sainath Boyapalli, Satya Karumuri, Hemachandra Veravalli, etc.

Ranganatha Hemmige Addresses The Town Hall Meeting At The Balaji Temple.

Speaking to Hello NRI, Chairperson of the Lake County Indians Association (LCIA), Ms Gawri Magati stated that: “LCIA is honored to be a part of the Sri Venkateswara Temple Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a sacred and auspicious event of profound significance to our community.”

While thanking the Temple, Gawri further added that “the blessings and spiritual upliftment derived from the Maha Kumbhabhishekam will resonate through the community, fostering a deeper connection to [our] traditions and enriching [our] collective spiritual journey.”

Another attendee Padmarao Appalaneni of Chicago Andhra Association (CAA) stated that “SVS Balaji Temple management and volunteers are working to take care of every minute detail to make it easy for the devotees to take part. … [seems like] the temple is gearing up to serve the large number of devotees attending the event.”

Temple Address: Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple. The temple is located at 1145 Sullivan Rd, Aurora, IL 60506. (Tel 630-844-2252).