The Temples Protection Movement (TPM) along with Samajika Samarasatha Vedika and other organisations is planning to conduct ‘Munivahana utsavam’ at the historic Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple located at Ranganayakulapeta here on July 5.
The utsavasam event involves TPM Convenor and Chilkur Balaji Temple head priest C.S. Rangarajan carrying on his shoulders a Dalit devotee from outside the temple up to the Dhwajasthambam.
This is seen as a celebration of the ideals and teachings preached by Bhagawad Ramanuja, a Vaishnava Acharya who stood in his time for a casteless, non-discriminatory and egalitarian society.
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Shri Ramanuja's 1000th year
To mark the 1,000th year celebrations of Shri Ramanuja, the ‘Munivahana Dalit Utsavam’ is being organised across different Ranganadha Swamy Temples in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
As part of this, Mr. Rangarajan has sought permission from the Principal Secretary, Revenue (Endowments), Andhra Pradesh, to go ahead with the event in Nellore temple.
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Speaking to The Hindu , he said that it was heartening that his small step in carrying a Dalit into the temple’s premises coincided with the millennial appearance celebrations of Bhagawad Ramanuja.
Mr. Rangarajan recalled that he had performed this ‘munivahana utsavam’ at Sri Ranganadha Swamy Temple at Jiyaguda in Hyderabad in April this year and the event stood as a symbol of equality of all before the Almighty.
He further said that 2,700 years ago, this ‘munivahana’ event was first held at Srirangam Temple.