Veenai Ekantham
Veena Ekantha Seva in SriRangam has been a unique observance for nearly 1000 years. During the ten days following Vaikunta Ekadashi, this special ritual takes place as Lord Namperumal (Utsava murthy) returns to Moolastanam from the 1000 pillar mandapam, where He visits every afternoon.
Every night during these ten days, when the Lord returns, the Veena is played in a standing position. As He is brought inside the Sanctum from the Dwaja Sthambam, the Veenas are played. The Veena Ekantha Seva usually starts around 9 PM or later, depending on the Lord's return time. To keep the Lord comfortable in the winter, He is adorned with a thin, see-through shawl, and His garland is loosened. Devotees and kainkaryaparas fan Him during this time.
According to the Brihaddaranyaka Upanishad, when the Veena is played to the Lord, there should be absolute silence. Therefore, an announcement is made just before the Veenas begin to request silence. During the Veena Ekantha Seva, verses from Divya Prabhandam, Thirupavai, Tyagaraja keerthanas, Purandara Dasa Keertanas, Annamacharya Keertanas, and Keertanas composed by King Vijayaranga Sokkanathar, among others, are played on the Veena. These songs are sung in soothing Ragas like Neelambari to lull the Lord to sleep, and they are in Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Kannada.
The Chandogya Upanishad states that whatever is played on the Veena reaches Parabrahma and becomes praise of the Supreme One. The Upanishad also identifies Veena music itself as a form of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
As the Lord slowly marches towards the sanctum, He stands under flower chandeliers and is showered with flowers mixed with Camphor. This event brings tears of happiness to the devotees and music lovers alike.
For those interested, mark your calendars for next year's Vaikunta Ekadashi mahotsavams at SriRangam and make sure not to miss the late-night Ekantha Seva
Every night during these ten days, when the Lord returns, the Veena is played in a standing position. As He is brought inside the Sanctum from the Dwaja Sthambam, the Veenas are played. The Veena Ekantha Seva usually starts around 9 PM or later, depending on the Lord's return time. To keep the Lord comfortable in the winter, He is adorned with a thin, see-through shawl, and His garland is loosened. Devotees and kainkaryaparas fan Him during this time.
According to the Brihaddaranyaka Upanishad, when the Veena is played to the Lord, there should be absolute silence. Therefore, an announcement is made just before the Veenas begin to request silence. During the Veena Ekantha Seva, verses from Divya Prabhandam, Thirupavai, Tyagaraja keerthanas, Purandara Dasa Keertanas, Annamacharya Keertanas, and Keertanas composed by King Vijayaranga Sokkanathar, among others, are played on the Veena. These songs are sung in soothing Ragas like Neelambari to lull the Lord to sleep, and they are in Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Kannada.
The Chandogya Upanishad states that whatever is played on the Veena reaches Parabrahma and becomes praise of the Supreme One. The Upanishad also identifies Veena music itself as a form of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
As the Lord slowly marches towards the sanctum, He stands under flower chandeliers and is showered with flowers mixed with Camphor. This event brings tears of happiness to the devotees and music lovers alike.
For those interested, mark your calendars for next year's Vaikunta Ekadashi mahotsavams at SriRangam and make sure not to miss the late-night Ekantha Seva
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