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TORONTO: In a first event of its kind in Canada, Toronto’s Telugu, Tamil and Kannada communities on Sunday performed the unique religious ceremony of Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam with deities brought from Tirumala in India.
The event, held at Sri Sringeri Vidya Bharathi Peetam and organized by the Telugu Alliance of Canada and the Sri Sive Hindu Temple, was performed by the priests from Tirumala with the chants of Vedic mantras.
Over 200 families performed Sankalpam as more than 2,500 devotes joined in the grand event.
TACA members received the deities with the traditional rituals of Mangala Vayidhayam and Poorna Kumbham as thousands of people chanted Govinda, Govinda.
It was followed by the pooja that started with Suprabatham Seva – the ritual to wake up the gods with Vedic chants – followed by Archana and Thomala Seva.
Then the grand event – Srinivasa Kalyanam – started with traditional Hindu marriage rituals as the devotes chanted Namo Narayanayaa and Govinda, Govinda.
The six-hour event took place with Vedic chants and the rendering of Annamaya Kerthanas by the TTD crew.
Sri Kamisetty Srinivasulu of the TTD narrated the whole event and pooja rituals to people.
The ceremony was graced by Mr Kanumuri Bapi Raju, who is a member of Parliament and chairman of the TTD, and his wife.
Devotees witnessed Suprabatham Darsanam, Thomala Seva and Archana along with Lord Venkateswara Kalyanam. After the Kalyanam, the devotees received laddus (sweets) prepared by the TTD chef and served Preeti Bhojan.
In a statement, the TACA executive committee said it was one of the best TTD religious events ever to be held in Canada. Devotees thanked the TACA executive committee for giving them the opportunity to witness such a traditional pooja in Toronto
Earlier, the deities on arrival from Tirumala were received with the traditional rituals performed by senior Veda pandits who are serving the Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala in India.
The whole event was shown on giant screens as over 100 volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure arrangements at the venue.
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