With the blessings of Sri Saradambal and Sringeri Acharya H.H. Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami, a Maharudra yajna was successfully conducted from April 27 to 29, 2012 in Washington DC area, USA. The Maharudram was organized on the occasion of the Peetarohana Centenary of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami. It was an exceptional confluence of distinguished Vedic scholars, professionally trained priests, enthusiasts of Vedic knowledge, ardent students of Hindu heritage and avid devotees. Ananth’s Vedha Group Inc. (AVG) deserves the credit for executing an incredible mission to everyone’s satisfaction. Indeed, to the thousands of people who participated in the three day event, this yajna was an experience beyond description.

The elegantly-decorated huge tented area by the side of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple was the perfect location for this auspicious event. Several renowned Vedic pundits and enthusiastic volunteers began the preparations for this function on the alluringly garlanded main stage before sunrise on Friday morning. Melodious mangala vadyam and the fragrance of flowers enticingly greeted the steady flow of attendees from all corners of the country. The Holy Padhukas of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha MahaSwami and H.H. Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami, the mangala vigraha of Sri Saradambal, and the captivating pictures of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami and H.H. Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami on the stage instantaneously venerated devotion. Led by Washington DC based Pradhana Acharyas Sri Venkatarama Sastrigal and Sri Bhasakar Shastri, thousands of devotees offered Guruvandanam at daybreak – that marked the beginning of this mega event that would continue for the next three days. A series of rituals from punyahavachanam to poornahuthi sanctified the yagasala. The resounding Veda mantras from Vedic scholars and hundreds of ritwiks filled the air. With utmost care not to deviate from the traditions set by our Seers, several rituals including Lakshmi Ganapathy Homam, Navagraha Homam, Avahanti Homam, Nakshatra Homam, Sudarshana Homam etc., were performed. Even the physical appearance of the huge homakundam itself was enthralling.

Friday evening was dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother Sri Lalitha Parameswari with Kumkumarchana. The diligently prepared Durga Mandalam displayed in the yagashala intrigued everyone present. An overwhelming participation of 1,500 women for the Kumkumarchana made the evening very special. All the devotees left the yagasala with the feeling of great satisfaction of getting such a rare opportunity.

The most fascinating feature of this event was the congregation of the exponents of all the four Vedas. The opportunity to listen and appreciate their expertise and the vibrations created by the Vedic Pundits was mesmerizing. Some rarely recited stanzas from Sama Veda and intricately challenging Ghana Paatam from Rig, Yajur and Atharva Vedas could only be listened with dropped jaws. The morning session of Saturday was set aside for Rudrabhishekam while Sri Rudram was recited eleven times by more than 160 ritwiks to a total exceeding 1,331 times needed for the Maharudram. The synchronous chanting of Sri Rudram reverberated the yagasala with an inspirational message and generated a divine ambience.

Sri Rudra Kramarachana, Ashtavadana Seva, Sri Rudra Homam, Vasordhara and Maha Poornahuti were accomplished during Saturday evening and Sunday. At the culmination of this event, kalasams with the sanctified water were ceremoniously carried by the priests and abishekam was performed to the consecrated idol of Sri Siva (Sri Ramanatha Swamy); followed by Mangala Aarathi / Deeparadhana. Annadanam was provided to the devotees on all three days. The heavens blessed the event with a divine downpour.

Sri Rudram, the highly revered Vedic hymns devoted to Sri Parameswara is believed to remove the sins from those who recite it with faith and devotion. Conducting such an event will have the benefit of welfare for the humanity at large. Let us hope that the enthusiasm to support such events will spread worldwide. The entire event was a grand success and to quote Sri Ananth Krishnan,”The Maharudram was successful because of the blessings of the Acharyas, Sri Sharadambal and Sri Chandramouliswara and the hard work of all volunteers.” Ananth’s Vedha Group offers Maharudram 2012 to the lotus feet of our Acharya Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami.

Chittoor K. Ramachandran