On Sunday 30th April 2017, to honor and celebrate the 1000th Birth Anniversary of Sri Bhagawad Ramanujacharya Swamiji, over a thousand devotees in their private vehicles, gathered at Necklace Road Hyderabad at 3 PM to participate in a massive car rally. Vikasa Tarangini volunteers distributed bags with water bottles and snacks. The rally started from the People’s Plaza on Necklace Road, Hyderabad and went through the several areas of the city up to Somajiguda and returned to the People’s Plaza Grounds at around 6pm. Hundreds of cars and motorcycles were visible throughout, all proudly bearing yellow and orange flags of Bhagawad Ramanuja. Everyone could hear the jubilant exclaimations of ‘Jai Ramanuja!’ ‘Jai Ho Ramanuja!’ throughout the entire procession. Pedestrians and public all stopped to witness the cheering site of hundreds of cars passing by; and some even joined in. Cars both preceded and followed HH Swamiji, who was in the middle of the rally in the iconic Rama Dutha bus. The heart warming scene was encrowned with Bhagawad Ramanujacharya‘s divine form on top of a vehicle, rotating and gracing the procession with His Divine Glance. The event was decorated with the attendance of special guests – the Hon’ble Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor Sriman E.S.L Narasimhan along with Sriman Dr. J Rameswar Rao garu in the divine presence of HH Sri Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, HH Sri Sri Sri Ahobila Jeeyar Swamiji and HH Sri Sri Sri Devanatha Jeeyar Swamiji and Sri Vratthadhar Jeeyar Swamiji.
Sri Ahobila Jeeyar Swamiji , Sri Devanattha Jeeyar Swamiji, Sri Vrathadhar Jeeyar Swamiji and Sriman Dr. Rameswar Raoji gave crisp and sweet messages. Recently, a German, Quadrina W Scriptura, sent an email to HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji listing the greatness of Ramanuja and why Bharath has to celebrate His Millennium birthday in 30 points. HH printed 10,000 copies of the book and encouraged everyone to read it. Free books’ Why and How Should India Celebrate Ramanuja Sahasrabdi” written by a German, ‘Quadrina W Scriptura’ were distributed to all
The Hon’ble Governor gave a speech about the greatness and selfless service rendered by Sri Bhagawad Ramanujacharya Swamiji towards equality and peace. He spoke about the social reforms towards equality and divinity for all beings, carried out by the magnanimous philosopher and Acharya 1000 years ago. The Hon’ble Governor praised the various achievements of Sri Ramanujacharya Swamiji accomplished during a time when untouchability was considered a norm and the so called untouchables were prohibited by participating in worship and denied entry into the temples, Bhagawad Ramanujacharya fought for the equal rights, participation and entry into temples for all devotees irrespective of caste, creed or gender. The Hon’ble Governor further declared that to belong to such a lineage of acharyas is the greatest fortune, and all one needs to do is surrender to Acharya and God.
HH Sri Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji also addressed the crowds gathered at the event. Bhagawad Ramanuja is the one who showed the world the quintessence of the Vedas. He is the one who explained the relationship between Us and God – ‘Sariri Sarira Bhava’ Sambandham. At a time when society was completely segregated, it was Bhagawad Ramanuja who declared “All are equal before God”. HH Swamiji elaborated by saying that the greatness of Bhagawad Ramanuja further increased when his devotees spread His Message, a message of love towards everything on the Earth, as all beings are part of the Lord’s Divine Form. To carry this forward to future generations, Bhagawad Ramanuja established four pillars as the centers of society –
- temples – which became institutes promoting social welfare involving all strata of the society
- mattams – governed by tridandi monks overseeing the welfare of the temple and society
- gruhastha acharya – establishing the system where grahastas were empowered to spread the message
- and ramanuja kutams – to take care of travelers needs by providing food and accommodation and ensure their practices are not broken.
Many have recognized His greatness throughout the world. HH concluded the discourse saying that it is now our responsibility to practice His teachings, and further spread His Divine Message. HH Swamiji gave mangalasasanams to the Governor, chief dignataries, Sriman Venu, Sriman RamaRaoji and all volunteers for making this yathra a success.