Walajapet: In a first-of-its-kind event, 51 women from Sri Kamala Peedam, Tiruvannamalai, participated in the massive programme of 51 Sakthi Peedam yagams (Maathrukaa) undertaken by Sri Danvantri Arogya Peedam, Walajapet, on the first day of the four-day special puja from August 14 to 17, 2014.

Peedam founder Kayilai Gnanaguru Dr Sri Muralidhara Swamigal said the 51 women participated in the yagams being conducted for world peace, betterment of mankind and seeking bounties from nature.

Swamigal said the 51 women from Sri Kamala Peedam paid obeisance to 51 Sakthi Devis, recited the Sakthi mandhiram and offered herbs during the prayer. The yagam then concluded on the first day with Purnaahuthi. The kalasatheertham used during this yagam were used for abhishekam at the shrine of mother earth -- Bharatha Matha -- at the Peedam.Later, a special abhishekam was performed for Sri Mahisasushamardhini. Arcot industrialist Thiru Kannan, sweet stall Thiru Bhaskar, doctor from Chennai Thiru R. Rangarajan, Dr Thoppagounder and Thiru Mohan from Vellore were among those who participated in the yagam on the first day. The devotees later took part in the annadhanam at the Peedam. 51 would make the special prayer and offerings on behalf of the Peedam for the second day on Friday and participate in the second kaala yagam and would perform special abhisesham for Sri Mahisashamardhini in view of Adi Velli on Friday, August 15.

Special prayer would be held for Bharatha Matha on Friday on account of Independence Day, while the national flag would also be unfurled, Swamigal has said. Swamigal has said that the yagams would be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on all the four days in the interest of world peace and betterment of mankind. The concluding programme of 343rd aradhana of Sri Raghavendrar would be held at the Peedam. Sri Muralidhara Swamigal pointed out that though there were thousands and thousands of temples in the world, there were only 51 peedams of atchara Sakthi in the world. It would be extremely difficult for a devotee to visit all the 51 Sakthi peedams and seek blessings. Sri Danvantri Arogya Peedam has therefore organised a programme of 51 Sakthi peedam yagams for devotees to obtain the blessings of all the 51 peedams at one place. Such Sakthi peedams are in far-off places like Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Tibet. These yagams at Danvantri Peedam will enable devotees to derive the benefits of visiting those peedams. Those wishing to participate in the yagams at the Peedam can contact the Peedam for charges as applicable.

Payment can be made by way of cash/Demand Draft/money order (or) can be remitted in Savings Bank a/c No. 10917462439 with State Bank of India, Walajapet Branch (Tamil Nadu), Branch Code 0775 IFSC: SBIN0000775 in favour of Sri Muralidhara Swamigal. Those making the above payment should write to the Peedam giving all details of homam, date, names, address, contact details, etc., or mail all the details to the ID given below. Non-Resident Indians have to contact the Peedam to participate in the above homams.