Sri Raghavendra Swamy Saptaha 2023

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Saptaha 2023 – India Dates – Feb 22- Feb 26

India – Feb 22 – Rayaru 402nd Pattabhisheka

India – Feb 26 – Rayaru 428th Vardhanthi/Birthday

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Saptaha 2023 – USA Dates – Feb 21- Feb 26

USA – Feb 21st – Rayaru 402nd Pattabhisheka

USA – Feb 26th – Rayaru 428th Vardhanthi/Birthday

According to the panchanga of SRS Mutt, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Saptaha is a week-long festival beginning on Palguna Shukla Dweetya and ending on Palguna Shukla Sapthami.

On Phalguna Shulla Dwithya in 1621, Sri Venkatanatha rose to the peetha of Madhva Maha Samsthana, Kumbakonam. On this day, Sri Sudheendra Teertharu of the Tangore Palace granted him sanysa ashrama. His new sanysa name became, Sri Raghavendra Teertha, was bestowed to him. Our beloved Rayaru was introduced to the world on this holy day.

Venkatanatha was born to Sri Thimanna Bhata and Smt. Gopikamba in Bhuvanagiri on Palguna Shukla Sapthami in 1595. He was the parents’ third child when he was born. We celebrate this

The dates of Venkatanatha’s Vardhanthi and Sanyasa Sweekara occur exactly one week apart. If we look really closely at the dates, we notice that the sanyasa day comes first and is preceded by the birthday, indicating the great significance of the sanyasa in Venkatanatha’s life.

This period of time, which adds up to almost a week ( sometimes less than a week as this year), is important and is celebrated by devotees all over the world at all the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutts and Madhva institutions with enormous grandeur and devotional programs.

P:S: I will try and post lyrics and stotras dedicated to our Beloved Rayaru next 10 days.