Jillellamudi
It has been the practice to celebrate Sri Hymavathi Devi’s birthday (Jayanthi) every year in Jillellamudi on the sixth day of the second half of the month Kaartheekam as per the Lunar calendar. In continuation of this tradition her 68th Birthday celebrations were held this year also, on 27th November, 2010 which was marked by gaiety and grandeur. The precincts of the two temples (Himalayam & Anasuya Swaralayam) were tastefully decorated while the sanctum sanctorum of Hymalayam, was adorned with buntings and floral decorations. The exterior of the two temples was covered with colorful electric bulbs that heightened the festive atmosphere within the premises.
Uninterrupted chanting (Akhanda Naama Sankeerthana) of Amma’s naamam “Jayaho Mata Sri Anasuya Rajarajeswari Sreeparaatpari” was conducted with utmost devotion by several bhajan groups from the neighboring villages who participated in shifts, with the group from the Jillellamudi also joining this sacred program. This program which lasted for 40 days preceding the birthday was concluded on 27-11-2010. The celebrations themselves were commenced on the full-moon day (Kartheeka Pournami) with enthusiastic groups of people including couples participating in the performance of “Hymavathi Janayitri Vratham” This vratham is performed everyday for six days culminating in the collective recitation of Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam (Lalitha Koti Nama Parayana) on the actual birthday..
Devotees from far-off places and neighboring villages congregated in Jillellamudi on this day to joyously participate in this sacred activity of Lalitha Koti Naamaarchana. The program was commenced at 9.00 a.m. by Sri Satyananda Bharati Swami, Head of the Bhuvaneswari Peetham of Gannavaram near Vijayawada, after explaining the significance of Lalitha Sahasranamam and the importance of reciting it for the welfare of those doing it. The program was arranged in the TTD Kalyana Mandapam within the premises with the students (both boys & girls) of the local MOC sitting there and the rest of the devotees distributing themselves in the different temples and under the pandals erected for the purpose. The program which commenced at 9.00 a.m. continued till late in the evening until the target (Koti or 10 million) was reached.
A special feature of the celebrations this year was the preparation of food items which were most liked by Hyma while in physical body, thanks to the laudable efforts of brother Dharmasuri to enquire the availability of certain vegetables/fruits, purchase and see that these reach the destination from distant places well in time. Each of these items were served along with other dishes of food during the six days of the celebration. The participants of various bhajan groups were honored with new clothes as Prasadam of Amma.. Another special event on the occasion was an enchanting concert of instrumental (violin) music in Carnatic classical style by brothers Ramaraju Premakumar and Ramaraju Dinakar & their team from Guntur. These brothers from Guntur are the children of Late Ramaraju Krishna Murty, an ardent devotee of Amma with an unflinching faith.
The finale of the celebration was a glittering ceremony of worship offered to Sri Hymavathi Devi by the ladies performing ambulations (Pradakshinamas) 68 times (being her 68th birthday) around the sanctum of Hymalayam and offering of 68 different items of sweets etc., as Nivedyam, while the male devotees participated in the whole proceedings. Hyderabad
The celebrations. of Sri Hymavathi Devi’s birthday in Hyderabad is an annual feature and held at the residence of Dr.T.S.Sastry on the actual date of her birth, 18th November in order to avoid a clash with the celebrations in Jillellamudi. As per this practice the 68th Birthday celebration of Sri Hymavathi Devi was held this year also in Hyderabad. The celebration is in the form of a puja program, wherein the devotees of Amma residing in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad participate. As the birthday this year happened to be on a working day, it is held in the evening from 6.30 p.m. An exquisitely decorated dais was made and puja performed, with Hyma sitting on this dais in an elaborately decorated hall. The puja program consisted of collective recitation (Paaraayana) of Lalitha Sahasranaamam twice, followed by worshiping Hyma chanting Lalitha Ashtothara Shatanaamaavali and Hymavathi Ashtottara Shatanamavali. The brothers and sisters who could attend on that day offered flowers to Sri Hymavathi Devi during the chanting of the above namams. Special items of food prepared for the occasion were offered to Hyma and later distributed at the end of the program to all those present, as prasadam of Hyma. Some of the brothers and sisters rendered songs composed in obeisance to Amma and Hyma.
The participation of many of the brothers and sisters in the function this year was hampered by sudden eruption of violent disturbances in the neighboring area en route to the venue. However, by the grace of Hyma, those who could make it to the function in spite of the disturbance, derived full satisfaction and happiness over their participation in the program and meeting of some of the old devotees after a long time.