[ICCT/GHHF] Invitation: Pranaprathishta of Sri Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Memphis TN,Jun 11-15,2014

Invited to Attend World’s first ever Pranaprathishta of
Sri Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
in Memphis TN, 
June 11-15, 2014

GHHF is very happy to invite one and all to attend World’s first ever Pranaprathishta of Sri Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swami at India Cultural Center and Temple (ICCT), Memphis, Tennessee, USA from June 11 through 15, 2014.  It is a rare and special occasion as this event is going to be historical since no other Temple of this nature in the world.

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji will be attending and participating in the Pranaprathishta ceremony of Lakshmi Narasimha Swami.

India Cultural Center and Temple of Memphis, under the leadership of Dr. Prasad Duggirala and the Board of Directors, has conducted the first ever Ganda Bherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Maha Yajnam in 2007. This was a mammoth undertaking, which involved the construction of 108 Homa Gundas. More than 108 Priest came from all across USA and India to conduct this Yagna for five days. Main purpose of this Maha Yajnam is to purify the environment, and bring happiness and peace in physical, psychological, social, spiritual and ecological spheres.  Sri Satyanarayana Charyulu who chanted a special mantra lakhs of times was offered at the end of Maha Yajnam for world peace and prosperity.  Sri Karunamayi Vijayeswari Devi attended and participated in the Maha Yajnam.

Maha Yajnam was performed in India in 2014

Similarly, ICCT has conducted Ganda Bherunda Ashtamukha Lakshmi Narasimha Mahayagnam at Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh at Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple during February 8- 12, 2014. Dr. Duggirala Prasad, Chairman of ICCT and Sri Satyanarayanacharyulu, Head Priest of the Temple, stayed in India This was a mammoth Mahayagnam conducted by more than 150 priests with 108 Homa gundas.  This five day Maha Yajnam was one of it’s kind conducted that had attracted thousands of people, who attended it to receive the blessings of Lord Narasimha.  Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji attended and blessed the Mahayajnam at Mangalagiri with a speech.

How it all started?

In the summer of 2006, Dr. Duggirala Prasad, the Chairman of Hindu Temple and Community Center (HTCC) of Memphis was traveling by car from Memphis to Atlanta to see his newborn grandchild along with the Chief Priest, Sri Satyanarayana Charyulu. They were reminiscing about the progress made over the years about HTCC and discussing about Kumbabhishekam they had completed in 2005. They were remembering and appreciating Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji who had come for the occasion to conduct the ceremony.

As they were traveling, they were listening to a number of CDs of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji including the composition of Jayalakshmi Mata Bhajans sung by Sri Swamiji. Sri Charyulu was enjoying listening to these songs and slowly dozed off.  Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji came into his dream and advised him to conduct Ganda Bherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Maha Yajnam at the Hindu Temple in Memphis. Then suddenly he woke up and informed Dr. Prasad about his dream. They were discussing about the practicality of conducting Maha Yajnam, wondering as to why Lakshmi Narasimha Maha Yajnam, what of image should be worshipped, what mantra to be chanted and other questions.

Sri Satyanarayana Charyulu while listening to Sri Swamiji’s songs and thinking about host of issues related to the Maha Yagna, he dozed off again. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji came into his dream and told him that he should do Yagna with Ashtamukha Ganda Bherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and gave a mantra for him to do anushtanam (Sadhana/chanting).  Sri Swamiji even told him about the eight faces that should be used while doing Yagna.

Who is Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy?

The eight faces of Ganda Bherunda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy are as follows:

What is Ganda Bherunda Narasimha?

“Ganda” is defined as cheek or a face with forehead. “Bherunda” means terrible, ferocious and frightening. Lord Narasimha is a rare incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is depicted in half man-half lion posture, and is mainly worshipped in South India.  Lord Narasimha as Ganda Bherunda is a combination of bird and animal with two heads and said to have manifested, as he was not able to control his anger. He took this incarnation to annihilate the demon King Hiranyakashapu, the father of the great devotees of Lord Vishnu, Prahlada. Lord Narasimha took a more terrible form of bird-animal with two heads – Ganda Bherunda. He believed to possess extraordinary strength. Ganda Bherunda used to lift four elephants effortlessly.