While you all have seen this Periyava through Sai’s posting in the past few days, you might know the details behind where He is going to go, some context behind it etc. I thought I should do a posting to ensure that all Chicago and near-by state devotees are aware of this so that they can visit Chicago Periyava Gruham (where I live) and have a darshan of Periyava.
An year or more ago I saw a FB posting of a life-size periyava and when asked, I was given someone’s number in W.Mambalam. I really wanted to get one such vigraham made for me. For some reason (that I forgot now), I was unable to contact/connect with them. Due to other priorities, somehow this one slipped my mind. Recently, someone contacted me about Advocate Sri Venkatasubramanian’s Sankarapuram project at Thiruvengadu. When I talked to him for the first time, I enquired about Mahaperiyava vigraham made of fiber, he shared some details. When I showed interest in getting one, he was happy to help me.
From that point onwards, things moved so quickly. Soon after Periyava was ready, I requested Sri Venkatasubramanian to visit Kanchipuram adishtanam where we could do a puja for the periyava before he leaves for Chicago. It so happened that Periyava not only went to adishtanam but also to Thenambakkam where a two hour jata parayanam was done by vidyarthis. At the adishtanam almost everyone was so happy to see Periyava. The woman selling garlands outside the matam put all garlands for Periyava before He went inside the matam. When He came out, those women were telling that they had best sales that day all due to Periyava anugraham…Someone did drishti for Periyava as He caught everyone’s eyes!! I have requested Sri Venkatasubramanian to get darshan of HH Balaperiyava before Periyava’s travel to Chicago.
I requested Sri Venkatasubramanian to help me by getting Periyava here before Jayanthi. Originally, things were looking good for that request. Later on, we had some issues with the shipping…Unfortunately, He is not going to be here for jayanthi – yes, it is quite disappointing!! We are making every effort to invite Periyava in the next few days. No matter what we try to do He has His own plans – we dont know what it is!
Anon(ymous) responded earlier in Sai’s posting that the sculptor made the vigraham with muscle hands etc. Here is my response:: So what?! Nobody can be that perfect. In our belief system, we worship 5 stones as devatas in panchayathana puja. When you can look at a black stone (saligramam) and imagining that Mahavishnu is in sangu-chakra-gadhapani and offer all to that stone, why not I look at this fiberglass Periyava, who is tatroopam and pray?
I am truly excited and so are Chicagoland devotees…Of course, this increases the scale of our celebration to Periyava. These photos have gone viral in social media! I have received several calls enquiring about Periyava’s arrival and already devotees have reserved the first garland to be offered to Periyava etc. I will do another post once Periyava is here. I know there are lots of Chicago devotees, who did not get my mail yesterday and this posting would help them also.
So, what’s next for Chicago devotees? Maybe a dedicated place for Him so that all could worship whenever they need and from where He can bless all devotees in this area. Let us see what He wants to do…..Till that time, this Periyava will be at my residence – we are truly blessed do our kainkaryams to Him on a daily basis. All devotees are welcome to call me to plan your visit to get darshan of Periyava! I can be contacted at mk.netid@gmail.com.
I want to sincerely thank the devotee, who recently contacted me on a topic about Sri Venkatasubramanian and his projects. Her inquiry alone triggered me to ask advocate about this. In a lot many way, that devotee is indirectly instrumental in making this happen and Sri Venkatasubramanian is absolutely key in getting this blessing for Chicagoland devotees.
I am out of words to thank Advocate Sri Venkasubramanian for his time and effort amidst his busy schedule. He had enough patience to do lot of work in ensuring that Periyava sculpture comes out nicely. Our namaskaram for the largest kainkaryam of “Sankarapuram” that he has undertaken with the blessings of all our acharyas.
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara!
