An illustration of the celestial wedding!

A step by step guide about the kalyanam event

SrI: SItha: Ra:ma kalayanaM guide

1. Bhagavad Anugna, Vishwaksena Pooja and Punyaha Vaachanam

Informing the Lord about kalyanotsavam and seeking blessings, offering prayers to Lord Vishwaksena to perform kalyanotsavam without any obstacles and sanctifying the puja materials and kalyana mandapam.

2. Vara Pooja, Raksha Bandhanam, Pada Prakshalanam & Madhu Parkam

Respectfully inviting all the relatives of the groom to the wedding venue and tying kankanam to the wrists of the bride and groom, washing the lotus feet of groom and offering a mixture of honey and yoghurt to the groom along with new clothes to both the bride and the groom

3. Expressing the intention of performing kalyanotsavam for the benefit of one and all

Informing the Lord about kalyanotsavam and seeking blessings, offering prayers to Lord Vishwaksena to perform

4. Kanya Danam

Offering the bride to the groom by pouring the water in hand. The process of performing Danam. The father of the bride perform the danam to the groom.

5. Yagnopaveetha Dharanam and Mangala Aashtakam Sumuhurtham

Offering the sacred thread to the groom and special prayers are chanted to wish the divine couple happiness, prosperity, and a peaceful marriage

6. Mala Samarpanam

Exchanging garlands on behalf of bride and groom while elevating the divine bliss of devotees with live music and Kalyana Vibhogame, Malai Matrinal dance performances by Prajna kids

7. Mangalya Pooja and Mangalya Dharanam

Performing Puja to mangala sutram while chanting Sri Suktam and offering the mangala sutram to the bride on behalf of the groom

8. Akshtha Aaropanam, Mutyala Talambralu

Mutyla Thalambralu - Showering of “akshathas” on bride on behalf of groom and vice versa

9. Mala Marpidi , Varanam Aayiram

A game of rolling coconuts on a piece of cloth, on behalf of bride and groom while chanting verses from Goda Devi’s Nachiyar Thirumozhi

10. Akshtha Aaropanam, Mutyala Talambralu

Archana/puja to the bride and groom, performing harathi, offering “vinjamara” seva (fan service) while chanting the 29th and 30th pasurams of Tiruppavai

11. Veda Aseervachanam

Blessings for all round prosperity for one and all.

12. Theertha Goshti, Pallaki Seva & Maha Prasadam

Distribution of holy Teertham, Pallaki, Oyyali Seva and distribution of Prasadam / Satvik Aahar.

Why do we do Kalya:nam on Sri Rama Navami, instead of celebrating birthday of Sri Rama ?

Two Reasons:

A. There is a slo:ka in a:gama Scriptures: "yasya avatha:ra divase: thasya kalya:na ma:chare:th" - Kalya:na Utsavam should be performed to those particular incarnations on their birth days itself . Purpose of incarnation itself, to do good to the world. that good can be achieved only through his (Lord) mercy. Goddess is the personification of the mercy (daya:) of God. So, when he comes down to the earth, immediately mercy, the divine mother, also should come and join along with him. And we feel satisfied when we see them both joined together. that joining function is called 'Kalya:no:tsavam'. in support of this statement we quote an incident from SriRamayanam from Ayo:dhya ka:nda. "when Sri Rama refused to take Sita along with him to the forest, then she gave many arguments and at the end she concluded saying "gachha ra:ma maya: saha" ' thus o Ra:ma!, go to the forest along with me only'. then lord rama agreed to take her with him. this is the reason why we perform Kalya:nam and keep both of them together, on the day when the avatha:ra maho:tsava.

B. Performing Kalya:nam on Sri Rama Navami, started from "Bhadrachalam". As the Pra:na Prathishtta of that temple was done on Sri:Ra:ma Navami day by Sri Ra:madasji. So automatically Kalyanam was started being done on the Sri Rama Navami day, which later, became practice throughout the country and around the world as well. It is in practice that most of the temples, Kalyanotsavas are performed during the Brahmotsavas only, linked with the Prathishtta day of that Temple. In other words, Brahmo:tsavam means, birth day celebrations of that particular temple or deity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Significance of Si:ta Ra:ma Kalya:nam

In Vaidika sampradaya, Lord Ra:ma and Mother Si:ta are known to be the incarnations of Lord SrimanNa:rayana and Lakshmi. The Kalyana Mahotsavam of Lord Sri Ra:ma with his consort Mother Si:ta is celebrated on the holy occasion of Srirama Navami which falls on 'Chaitra Shuddha Navami ' the auspicious 'Punarvasu' -'Janma Nakshatra' (birth star), of Lord Sri Rama. This divine festival is celebrated in a resplendent manner amid chanting of vedic hymns by priests. Lord Ra:ma is the embodiment and personification of all the great sixteen virtues and a role model as a son, brother, husband, ruler etc. The companionship of Ra:ma and Si:ta depicts how to lead an ideal wedded life. They stayed together in the adversity and happiness alike and lived inseparable like flower & fragrance. The style of their marriage (or "kalya:nam") as described in ancient Hindu writings is used as the baseline for Hindu marriages today. The Kalyanam ceremony represents union of Mother Si:ta and Lord Ra:ma through devotion. Ji:va can only reach parama:tma through devotion or unbroken love for Lord. Devotees performing kalya:nam with utmost devotion will be blessed with knowledge, health, wealth and prosperity and long life. This year is even more special as its reunion year of Sri Rama:chandra bhagava:n at Ayodhya.

2. Date, Time & venue for Si:tha Ra:ma Kalyano:tsavam

Sunday March 29th, 2026 - 10:00 AM Onwards

Franklin Elementary school

2401 Rochester Rd

Sewickley PA-15143

3. Front desk/Reception

Please check in at the reception and collect the donors ticket. It will be provided to all Kalya:nam Sponsors

4. Overall Kalya:nam Procedure

Anugna - Viswakse:na A:radhana,Punyahavachanam

Kalyanam Prarambham

Kankanadha:rana

Yagnopaveetha Dha:rana

Kanya:varanam

Kanya:da:nam

Madhuparka Samarpanam

Maha: Sankalpam

Mangala:sthakams

Mangalsu:thra dha:rana

Talambralu

Malai Matrina:l

Varanama:yiram

Thiruve:dhi Purappadhu

Archana, Nivedhana, Veda: Aseervachanam

Thee:rtha Prasa:dam

5. What Pooja items should I bring for the Kalya:nam?

You may bring flowers or fruits.

6. whom should I contact incase of any questions:

+1-724-681-8268 / jetpittsburgh@jetusa.org

7. Will there be guided Kalya:nam ?

For this year, we are not performing guided kalya:nam which can be performed parallelly by devotees. The whole process of kalya:nam will be performed on the stage by JET trained Vedic pandits.

8. Should we bring Sri Ra:ma Pariva:ra Mu:rthis (Home Deity) ?

As there is no guided kalya:nam. You may bring your home Sri: Ra:ma Pariva:ra Mu:rthis for the event and bring to the stage.

9. Can I get Sri Ra:ma Pariva:ram deities for my daily po:ja at home ?

Yes, since limited quantities available, those who already registered and paid for Mu:this will receive on the day of event. Please enquire at the front desk incase you need Mu:rthis, we cannot guarantee you will receive on the day of the event but can be picked someother day based on availability. If still available on the day of event, it can be provided on first come first serve basis. Suggested donation is $302 . Accept check, zelle or paypal. Least preference is given to Cash.

10. One of my neighbors/friend would like to join, Is registration is mandatory for them as well?

Yes. Please encourage them to register by March 23rd of 2026.

11. How many family members can attend with each registration?

Registrant devotee (Grihastu), spouse and children and / or with visiting parents.

12. Can devotees bring Thalambra:lu for Akshata A:ro:pana for Lord Sri Ra:machandra & Mother Si:tha Devi

Registrant devotee (Grihastu), spouse and children and / or with visiting parents.

13. Is there any kids care during Kalya:nam?

Its very important for entire family to be part of Sri Si:tha Ra:ma Kalya:nam and no separate kids care is available.

14. Cultural activities planned?

Kids/Students of our Prajna program will be performing Dance.

15. Can I have access to Sundarakanda Parayana chanting that is recited on our behalf for Vasantha Navarathri / Sri: Si:tha Ra:ma Kalyanam?

https://tinyurl.com/SRN-parayana

16. Dress code for Kalyanam? Are there any guidelines?

Traditional Indian wear. Dhothi for Men and Saree for Women is suggested.

17. Maha:prasa:dam & Raj Bho:g ?

Kalya:na Prasa:dam will be served to all after Thee:rtham. Ra:j bho:g will be served in Cafeteria for all participants

18. Directions to the Venue and Parking.

Please follow the venue directions on the GPS. Please park only at the designated parking area and over flow parking parking is available at the rear of the school building.

19. Is mask mandate for the event?

Mask is not mandatory and it is purely optional.

20. Family photo

Don't miss to take a family photo at our photo booth inside Gym.

For all other questions contact our event coordinators at 724.681.8268

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