2024.10.12 (Vrindavan Today News): The grand Vijayadashami festival was celebrated with traditional rituals at the Sri Ranganatha Temple in Vrindavan, renowned for its South Indian architectural style. Following the sacred scriptures, the festival began with the procession of Lord Ranganatha early in the morning. The deity was placed on a palanquin and carried from the main temple to the large garden, where the morning aarti was performed, and offerings were made.
As the day progressed, during the evening’s twilight, Lord Ranganatha, now seated on a golden horse, holding a spear, bow, and sword, made his way to the sacred Shami tree near the temple grounds. The significance of this ritual is deeply rooted in ancient tradition. Under the leadership of Swami Raghunatha, the head of the temple, and guided by chief priest Vijay Mishra, the Shami tree was worshipped according to Vedic rites, invoking sacred mantras.
Swami Raghunatha explained the symbolic importance of the Shami tree in Indian mythology. It is believed that during their exile, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree. Upon returning after their period of anonymity, they first worshipped the tree and then tested their weapons in all ten directions. In keeping with this tradition, the procession of Lord Ranganatha comes to the garden, performs the Shami tree ritual, and then returns to the temple in the evening.
The ceremony was attended by temple priests including Vijay Mishra, Ranga Swami, Raju Swami, and Tirupati Rao, who ensured that every step of the ritual was performed with devotion and precision.
This centuries-old ritual not only highlights the cultural and religious depth of the Vijayadashami festival but also serves as a reminder of the timeless connection between mythological events and the present-day practices observed in temples across India.
