The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, gracing the Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham in Hyderabad on February 13, 2022.
President Ram Nath Kovind gracing the Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham in Hyderabad on February 13, 2022.
By G Krishna Mohan Rao*
Hyderabad: The twelve day long Saint Ramanujacharya millennium celebrations were concluded here in Hyderabad today on a grand scale with about 5000 priests and Vedic scholars from all over the country participated in the rituals during last 12 days . Chanting of mantras, vedas , upanishads and conducting poojas were seen from morning to late night all through the 12 day event…coinciding Saint’s 1,000 birth anniversary celebrations.
It is believed that Saint Ramanujacharya provided an intellectual base to the rich Bhakti tradition of South, especially the tradition of Alwar Saint poets. Born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, he was instrumental in bringing various sections of the society, including common man, bureaucrats, elite and rulers under one roof. He opened the doors of Vaishnavism for the members of the so called Backward Castes. He explained that Bhakti is beyond distinction of castes and laid emphasis on everyone’s right to worship god. He also introduced the concept of equality in the contemporary social system.
Ramanujacharya had a great following including Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. BR Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda, Swaminarayan institutions, schools of thoughts like ISKON and many others have all taken inspiration from the works of Ramanujacharya. He is also inspiration for all Bhakti sects prevailing in the world today like Annamacharya, Tyagaraja, Kabir and Meera Bai.
President Ramnath Kovind visited the site , Sri Ramanagaram at Muchintal at Hyderabad , yesterday (Sunday), and unveiled the 54 inch golden deity made of pure 120 kgs of gold of the saint Ramanuja. The President paid rich tributes to the 11th century saint Ramanuja Charya and called the youth to imbibe the teachings of the saint. He also visited the 216 feet tall “Statue of Equality” of Ramanuja Charya in Muchintal wherein he unveiled the gold statue of Ramanuja weighing 120 kgs.
The entire 45 acre complex ,where the 216 feet tall -Statue of Equality -was built, became a a hub of spiritual activity for the last 12 days ever since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi inagurated the event and unveiled the 216 feet tall statue on February 5, 2022. The complex known as Sri Ramananagaram was full of spiritual activity.
During these 12 days, several VIPs from all walks of life visited the place. They include Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other ministers as well. It also included Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bagawat, several Chief Ministers of the States starting from Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh. several Governors were also visited the statue of equality and recalled Ramanuja’s contribution to philosophy, culture and spiritualism.
Also read: PM dedicates 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality’ to the nation
Cutting across the party lines, visitors during the last 12 days, praised the Saint’s untiring efforts to end the disparities of caste, class and gender, though the Saint lived over a thousand years ago. Described him as great social reformer of medieval India many recalled his vision for peace and harmony remains eternally relevant.
The 216 feet tall statue of equality of Ramanujacharya , unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is made of five metals in the most vibrant and elegant posture. The statue is billed as the world’s second largest statue in a sitting position at the 45 acre complex. The 216 feet tall statue is surrounded by 108 model temples and 144 yagashalas within the area. President, Prime Minister and others spent several hours at the complex and watched 108 Vaishnava temples which are identical recreation of famous existing temples in the country. The entire complex provided an opportunity to connect with the spiritual and social tradition of India. Thousands of devotees visited everyday during the celebrations and found Saint’s contribution to spiritual and social awakening through manuscripts and other evidences displayed at the complex.
The 216 feet tall Statue of Equality as well as its surroundings were conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamy of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram.
*The writer is a senior journalist
