Purattasi — A Sacred Month of Devotion to Sri Srinivasa Perumal
The Tamil month of Purattasi (Kanya month, mid-Sep – mid-Oct) holds a special place in our tradition as a sacred period dedicated to the worship of Sri Srinivasa Perumal, the compassionate Lord of Tirumala. Purattasi Saturdays and the auspicious day of Purattasi Sravanam (one of the 27 Stars) are observed with special prayers, Nama Sankeertanam, pooja, and special offerings to the Lord.
For the devotees of the Global Organization for Divinity (GOD), this month carries a particularly special significance through the life and devotion of our beloved Guru Maharaj, His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Muralidhara Swamiji. Sri Swamiji has been deeply devoted to Sri Srinivasa Perumal from childhood and meditates upon the Lord’s divine form constantly. In 1991, on the auspicious occasion of Purattasi Sravanam, which happened to be an auspicious Saturday, and which also coincided with Vijayadasami Day, Sri Swamiji consecrated Sri Srinivasa Perumal at Premika Bhavanam, near Ashok Nagar, Chennai, naming Him Sri Premika Srinivasan. This sacred milestone established a lasting connection between the holy month, Sri Swamiji’s devotion, and the worship of Perumal.
This year, during this month, on Sravanam day, Sri Swamiji offered Thinai Deepam, Sahasranama archana, and Bhajans on Srinivasa Perumal, followed by Divyanama sankirtan in the evening. On the annual Pratishta dinam of Sri Premika Srinivasa Perumal on Vijayadasami, he performed Thirumanjanam and Pooja, followed by Srinivasa kirtans, and offered special neivedhyam to Sri Premika Srinivasan.
At Maharanyam, adjacent to the Madhurapuri Ashram, Sri Swamiji has established the Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal Temple, which was consecrated on Vasantha Panchami Day in 2002. An amazing occurrence was that after consecration with the deity facing east, the next morning, Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal deity Himself had turned slightly towards the auspicious northeastern direction! A deity facing the northeast is said to fulfill all prayers. This Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal, who has been sung and worshipped endearingly by Sri Swamiji, attracts numerous devotees from near and far. This year, the celebrations reached new heights, attracting more than 10,000 devotees from the villages and towns surrounding the temple, as well as from faraway places. Tens of thousands of devotees, wearing the characteristic yellow vastram of Perumal devotees and filled with bhakti and love for Bhagavan, visited the temple and had darshan of Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal during this sacred month.
Throughout this month, multiple rounds of Laksharchanai were performed, and annadanam was offered on a large scale. On Saturdays, Thinai Deepam and akhanda deepam were lit for Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal. Bhagavan was also taken out in procession to the nearby villages on the first two Saturdays. On the 3rd Saturday, the procession took place within the temple premises. Several devotees walked from faraway places to reach the temple and offered their prayers there on the last Saturday.
Observing a fast, many of them performed anga pradakshanam and offered tula baaram and their hair to the Lord (mudi kaanikkai) on that day. Sahasranama archanai was performed with laddus, which were offered to the devotees by Sri Swamiji himself.
Purattasi Celebrations Across North America
Inspired by this sacred tradition established by Sri Swamiji, and with his blessings, devotees across North America came together during this auspicious month to celebrate Sri Srinivasa Perumal through Nama chanting, kirtans, Laksharchana, the lighting of lamps, Thinai deepam, discourses and katha, and community satsang. Each location brought its own heartfelt expression of devotion, united by the joy of remembering the Lord and singing His divine names.
In Houston, at the abode of Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal, who has been sent specially by Sri Swamiji to bless North America devotees, the bhaktas devoutly celebrated the special day of Purattasi Sravanam as the Avatara Dinam of Perumal by offering 108 Archanas. This was followed by Avatara Vaibhavam Kirtans in celebration of the Lord’s divine advent. Sri Sriramji then shared a katha describing how Srinivasa Perumal appeared in Tirumala.
On Saturday, Oct 3rd, about 200 devotees gathered for a special annual Laksharchana at the temple, chanting the divine names from Vishnu Sahasranamam and offering flowers to Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal with each Nama. Through this sacred offering, made with pure love and devotion in their hearts, 100,000 flowers were placed at the Lord’s feet. A thinai deepam was also lit and worshipped on every Purattasi Saturday at the temple.
In Atlanta, on September 26th, more than 70 devotees gathered, dressed in beautiful shades of yellow, while a specially arranged altar illuminated by traditional oil lamps created a serene and deeply devotional atmosphere. The evening resonated with the collective chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, Govinda Namam, and the Mahamantra, along with Sri Madhurageethams in praise of Sri Srinivasa Perumal.
Joyful shouts of “Govinda! Govinda!” filled the Namadwaar. There was also a special talk reminiscing the life of Sri Swamiji where Smt. Jeya Kishoreji shared how Sri Swamiji was drawn to Perumal from a very young age, offering a precious glimpse into his deep and enduring devotion to the Lord.
The Tampa GOD satsang celebrated the month by lighting the Maavilakku and offering Sri Madhurageethams on the three Saturdays of Purattasi. Families brought their own deepams, lit them with devotion, and placed their personal prayers at the feet of the Divine, creating a beautiful expression of collective faith and surrender.
The devotees performed Mahamantra Nama chanting, followed by the collective recitation of Vishnu Sahasranamam.
The Bay Area celebrated with a Purattasi Satsang that brought together devotees, families, and children in the spirit of Nama Sankeertanam and devotion. They performed Divyanamam, Sahasranama Parayanam, and Sri Madhurageethams.
The key highlight was a special skit by the Gopa Kuteeram children on Hathiram Baba, a beloved devotee and friend of Srinivasa Perumal who lived in the recent past. Through their performance, the children conveyed the beautiful message that Srinivasa Perumal is ever-present and always accessible to His devotees — always with them, talking, smiling, and playing.
In Virginia, devotees gathered on two Saturdays in devotees’ homes singing Thodaya Mangalam and Madhurageetam kirtans and lighting the Maavilakku for Sri Premika Varadan and Sri Madhuri Sakhi. The devotees also offered Sundara Kanda Parayanam over 9 days, concluding with the Pattabhishekam on Vijayadasami Day.
Rooted in the sacred significance of Purattasi and inspired by Sri Swamiji’s enduring devotion to Sri Srinivasa Perumal, these observances reaffirmed the power of Nama Sankeertanam to unite devotees across geographies and age groups. The vibrant presence of Sri Swamiji was deeply felt by everyone who participated. With gratitude to Sri Swamiji and the Divine Couple, the North American satsang communities concluded the sacred month with hearts filled with devotion, peace, and the joyful remembrance of their beloved Bhagavan, Govinda!
Tens of thousands of devotees, wearing the characteristic yellow vastram of Perumal devotees and filled with bhakti and love for Bhagavan, visited the temple and had darshan of Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal during this sacred month.
Bhagavan was also taken out in procession to the nearby villages on the first two Saturdays. On the 3rd Saturday, the procession took place within the temple premises. Several devotees walked from faraway places to reach the temple and offered their prayers there on the last Saturday.
Observing a fast, many of them performed anga pradakshanam and offered tula baaram and their hair to the Lord (mudi kaanikkai) on that day. Sahasranama archanai was performed with laddus, which were offered to the devotees by Sri Swamiji himself.
Inspired by this sacred tradition established by Sri Swamiji, and with his blessings, devotees across North America came together during this auspicious month to celebrate Sri Srinivasa Perumal through Nama chanting, kirtans, Laksharchana, the lighting of lamps, Thinai deepam, discourses and katha, and community satsang. Each location brought its own heartfelt expression of devotion, united by the joy of remembering the Lord and singing His divine names.
In Atlanta, on September 26th, more than 70 devotees gathered, dressed in beautiful shades of yellow, while a specially arranged altar illuminated by traditional oil lamps created a serene and deeply devotional atmosphere. The evening resonated with the collective chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, Govinda Namam, and the Mahamantra, along with Sri Madhurageethams in praise of Sri Srinivasa Perumal.
Joyful shouts of “Govinda! Govinda!” filled the Namadwaar. There was also a special talk reminiscing the life of Sri Swamiji where Smt. Jeya Kishoreji shared how Sri Swamiji was drawn to Perumal from a very young age, offering a precious glimpse into his deep and enduring devotion to the Lord.
The Tampa GOD satsang celebrated the month by lighting the Maavilakku and offering Sri Madhurageethams on the three Saturdays of Purattasi. Families brought their own deepams, lit them with devotion, and placed their personal prayers at the feet of the Divine, creating a beautiful expression of collective faith and surrender.
The Bay Area celebrated with a Purattasi Satsang that brought together devotees, families, and children in the spirit of Nama Sankeertanam and devotion. They performed Divyanamam, Sahasranama Parayanam, and Sri Madhurageethams.
In Virginia, devotees gathered on two Saturdays in devotees’ homes singing Thodaya Mangalam and Madhurageetam kirtans and lighting the Maavilakku for Sri Premika Varadan and Sri Madhuri Sakhi. The devotees also offered Sundara Kanda Parayanam over 9 days, concluding with the Pattabhishekam on Vijayadasami Day.
