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The Holy Journey Of Lord Veeraboga's Shathari
The Holy Journey Of Lord Veeraboga's Shathari
Date: 2017-06-02
Shathari or Sharanagati is the ultimate surrender to Lord Vishnu and adorning ones head with His crown or peedam holding His lotus feet is to attain His blessing to rid one of deceit and ego. This is a special practice in Vaishnava Temples in South India. Placing Shathari on the heads of devotees is followed by giving blessed water & Tulsi leaves. Sanctified paraphernalia of religious abodes are worshipped as the presence of Divinity.To all Devotees of Lord Vishnu it is essential that you visit Lord Veeraboga's abode in Tongaat and have His mercy from His shathari that has been to many opulent and auspicious abodes of the Lord before arriving in Tongaat, SA. From Tirupati to Ahobila to Sri Rangam,Tirukoshtiyur and Srivilliputhur, all magnificent cities in South India.
Mr. Ravi Govender a devotee of Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple in Gandhi's Hill, Tongaat has had the blessed opportunity to be the chosen one to procure Lord Veeraboga's holy Shathari and listening to his phenomenal story, I knew that this was an experience that I would love to share with all. When Mr. Govender expressed his story he was bursting with uncontrollable excitement of love & devotion to share his experiences. His eyes, I remember beamed with radiance and humility. This was a life changing experience for him. I know what that feels like as we all have had those magical experiences in India.
The Shathari for Lord Veeraboga was purchased during an auspicious time at GRT Jewelers in Chennai and then started its journey to Tirupathi, the Land of Lord Vishnu or Venketeshawara. Early hours of the morning the Shathari was taken to the sanctum sanctorum and kept at the lotus feet of Lord Venkataswara. Special prayers were performed to the Shathari by the Chief Priest of Tirupathi and after wonderful darshan at Tirumala; the Shathari was on a six hour journey to Ahobilam which is located in the Nallamala forest region in Andra Pradesh.
This sacred place was once the kingdom of Hiranyakashipu and Lord Narasimha (4thavatharam of Lord Vishnu) comes out of a pillar from the palace of the demon. This is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu. The third leg of the journey was at Sri Rangam, Trichy in South India, where the Shathari was received and blessed by Sriman Narayan Jeer Swamy.
The penultimate stop was at Tirukoshtiyur. This is where Sri Ramanuja had visited his guru, Sri Tirukoshti Nambi, and revealed the sacred mantra 'Aum Namo Narayanaya' The Tongaat Shathari has received its divine blessings at the shrine of Sri Ramanuja and the presiding deity of Tirukoshtiyur.
The last stop was at Srivilliputhur, the birth place of Sri Andal, one of the twelve Alvars. The Jeer, Sri Sundararajan Swamy blessed it and presented a special yantra to be placed for Shree Veeraboga. The Holy Shathari that has been energized with sacred hyms and sacred bathing at each of the Vishnu abodes, before arriving to Shree Veeraboga Emperumal for all to have Lord Vishnu's glorious and powerful blessing and protection.