Raam Navami Celebration

This is a small video that we had captured at the "Sita Raama Kalyanam" function held in our Sri Venkateswara Temple, Cary, NC on the occasion of the Raam Navami. The second one is the movie that I have made for the first time by the guidance of my husband with the photos that we had taken during the program. This was the first time I attended a function here in the SV Temple. The program was very good and I am sure by watching these two videos you would also feel the same.

The pooja was organised very well by the volunteers and it started around 10.30am on the April 13th. The Car parking was all arranged at a nearby school and there was a very big tent that was being made close to the temple where actually the function was held. Slowly people started moving in and the function started of with the kids chanting the shlokas and the bhajans that were taught to them in the Gurukulam class.

The pooja started of with the Sankalpam. There were the three pandits/poojaris who did the pooja, chanting and the rituals. It was later followed by the Kanyadhanam and then lastly the Kalyanam.
In between the pooja, amongst the audiences to all the husband and wife were given the "Rakshabandhan" (holy thread) which had to be tied to each other. Then everyone were given the "Akshatha" (rice mixed with turmeric and a nickel coin). We had to hold it in our fist and later during the pooja, that is before Kanyadhaanam we had tp leave that in a plate and wash our hands.

Then everyone were allowed to go near the idols of the gods and take prasadam and slowly move out. Towards the end they could collect the food that was also being sponsored by the temple - kosambari and Panakam being the Raam Navami special, puliyogare, Curd rice, etc.

We were very happy to be a part of this function and had a great time at the temple.
( I am sorry for that hissing sound in the movie, shall make sure it is not there in the future videos. Dear all kindly adjust :-).