Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu Prant, Thoothukudi Nagar organised Sri Rudra Ghana Parayanam and Sri Shatha Chandi Maha Yagna on April 9 and 10, 2025 at Sri Sarada Nursery & Primary School, Thoothukudi.
The program commenced with the chanting of Sri Ganapathi Vandhana, Sri Subramanya Bhujangam, and Sri Rudra Ghana Parayanam at the temple complex of Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur, on 9th April, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The prakarams of the temple resonated with sacred vibrations, enveloping devotees in a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Over 50 participants, including 30 pandits from the Veda Parayana Satsangam, Chennai, took part in this divine gathering. The experience was made even more memorable as gentle rain began to fall immediately after the chanting, offering a blissful blessing amidst the otherwise scorching sun.
Later in the evening, Sri Rudram Laghunyasam, Chamakam, Pancha Suktam, Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam were chanted at Sri Sarada Nursery & Primary School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Followed by that, Kalasa Sthapanam was done.
The second day began with the chanting of Guru Vandhana, followed by the Ahwahanam (invocation) of Sri Durga, Sri Lakshmi, and Sri Saraswathi. This was followed by the powerful recitation of the Chandi Parayanam, comprising 13 chapters and 700 verses. Alongside the Parayanam, Go Puja (worship of the sacred cow) and Ashwa Puja (worship of the sacred horse) were also performed with reverence.
As part of the Yagna, Kanya Puja was conducted, where 54 Kumaris (young girls) were worshipped as living embodiments of Goddess Durga. Additionally, Suvasini Puja was held, in which 117 married women were honored as manifestations of the Divine Mother. With great devotion, participants performed Aarati, Pradakshina, and sought blessings from the Kumaris and Suvasinis.
A Sankalpam (sacred resolution) was made for Lokakshemam—the global well-being and universal peace. The Maha Poornahuti was performed at the conclusion of the Chandi Homam, with the offering of Mangala Dravyas such as fruits, kumkum, sandal paste, dry fruits, dry coconut, along with vastra (clothing), thirumangalyam (sacred thread), and ornaments, signifying the completion of the sacred ritual in all its auspiciousness.
Vasodhara—the sacred offering of ghee—was carried out with great devotion amidst the resonant chanting, invoking divine blessings for abundance and well-being.
Following that, an abhishekam was performed to Mahalingeshwarar using the sanctified kalasa water by the assembled devotees. The rituals concluded with the offering of a Maha Aarathi, filling the space with divine energy and spiritual fulfillment.
Mananeeya Nivedita Didi, All India Vice President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra; Adarneeya Radha Didi, Secretary of Administration at the Headquarters and Prant Sangathak for Tamil Nadu and Kerala; and Adarneeya Shri Ayyappan Ji, Sah Prant Sangathak for Tamil Nadu, attended the Yagna along with the Nagar Samiti members of Thoothukudi Nagarsthan.
Annadhanam was offered to all the devotees. Over 450 devotees participated including the pandits, Kumaris, suvasinis and the members of organising team. The Yagna was organised by Sri. Muthukumar Anna, Nagar Sah Pramukh and Sri. Kallapiran Anna, Nagar Vyavastha Pramukh with the support of Thoothukudi Nagar Samiti, karyakartas and VK RDP staffs.
