Shri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane is an annual festival that commemorates the life and spiritual legacy of Shri Raghavendra Swamy, a revered 16th-century saint and proponent of the Dvaita philosophy. The celebration is most prominent at the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh, which is the site of his Jeeva Samadhi, or “living samadhi,” where he is believed to have entered a meditative state and continues to reside.
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📜 The Saint: Shri Raghavendra Swamy
Shri Raghavendra Swamy, also known as Rayaru, was a scholar, musician, and pontiff of the Kumbhakonam Mutt. He is considered an incarnation of Prahlada, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Throughout his life, he traveled extensively, spreading the tenets of Vaishnavism and the Dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya. His final message to his disciples before entering the Brindavan (his resting place) was that he would continue to bless and ensure the well-being of his devotees for 700 years.
📅 The Three Days of Aradhane (Shravana Krishna Paksha)
The Aradhane festival is a three-day event that draws thousands of devotees to Mantralayam and other mutts around the world. The dates are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in the month of Shravana. For the year 2025, the celebration will take place from August 10th to August 12th.
- Poorva Aradhane (August 10, 2025): The first day of the festival, known as “preliminary worship,” falls on Shravana Krishna Paksha Pratipada. It is marked by various ceremonial rituals and the beginning of a vibrant cultural festival with music and devotional discourse.
- Madhya Aradhane (August 11, 2025): This is the main day of the festival, commemorating the day Shri Raghavendra Swamy entered Jeeva Samadhi in 1671. It falls on Shravana Krishna Paksha Dwitiya and is considered the most sacred day, featuring special prayers, Maha Panchamrutha Abhishekam (sacred bath), and the Rathotsava (chariot procession) where a processional idol is carried around the temple.
- Uttara Aradhane (August 12, 2025): The final day of the festival, known as “concluding worship,” falls on Shravana Krishna Paksha Tritiya and marks the end of the main rituals. The Swarna Rathotsava (golden chariot procession) is a key event on this day, concluding the grand celebration.
🌸 Celebration and Significance
The Aradhane is a time for devotees to honor the saint’s teachings and seek his blessings. Beyond the Mantralayam temple, the festival is celebrated with great devotion at homes and in local mutts globally. Many devotees observe a fast, perform special pujas, and prepare traditional foods. The festival is a powerful reminder of Shri Raghavendra Swamy’s enduring spiritual presence and his promise to protect his followers.
