ANKURARPANA MANDAPAM

To the south of ‘Bangaru Bavi’ and opposite to the main kitchen is located ‘Ankurpana Mandapam’. Before the commencement of the ten day Brahmotsavams every year, ankurarpanam (Initiation ceremony) is performed. Ankurapanam means the sprouting of nine varieties of grains usually called ‘Navadhanyam’. Before every festivity and every celebration this procedure is adopted. Hence, this mandapam is called ‘Ankurarpana Mandapam’, another speciality followed from the early days is that the idols of Anantha, Garuda, Vishwaksena (Lord’s army chief) and the idols of Rama’s attendant deities Sugreeva, Angada and Anjaneya are kept in this Mandapam for being seen by the pilgrims. In the Vicinity of these deities in ‘Ankurarpana Mandapam’ priests give theertham (holy water) to the devotees. Let us also accept in humility the holy water from the priests. This holy water is the medicine which gets rid of the karmas. It cures the diseases like anger, desires of flesh, greed hatred etc. and gives us eternal peace. It is time to move to ‘Yagasala’ by chanting the name of this Lord. Govinda………which dispels fear!