April 15th marked the beginning of the very auspicious “Purushottama” month.  Any deed fetches multi-fold merits when performed during this month.  In this Kali Yuga, what greater deed can one perform than Nama Sankirtan?  And that too, in the holy Govindapuram, where Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamiji remains in Jiva Samadhi till date and incessantly chants the Rama Nama.

A special 7-day Nama Sankirtan and Pravachan Yagna is being organized at Chaitanya Kuteeram in Govindapuram between April 15th and 21st of this year.

Paranur Mahatma, His Holiness Sri Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj performs a discourse on Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Bhashya in the morning between 8-10 am and a discourse on the divine life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the evenings between 3 and 5 pm.  Soon after the evening discourse a grand Nama Sankirtan procession happens every day, with devotees participating from different corners of Tamil Nadu and from other states as well.

The entire Govindapuram village wears a festive look.  A large poster showcasing the events for the day is put up in front of Chaitanya Kuteeram and huge ‘pandals’ are erected. Huge ‘kolams’ are drawn at the entrance.

On the morning of 15th of April, a grand welcome was accorded to Sri Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj.  As auspicious musical notes from the Nadaswaram rented the air, Sri Sri Anna and Sri Manni were welcomed in a procession from their residence to the Chaitanya Kuteeram. The procession included all the paraphernalia like huge colorful umbrellas  etc.  At the entrance of the Chaitanya Kuteeram, Sri Swamiji welcomed Sri Sri Anna and Sri Manni with Poorna Kumbham.  Garlands and shawls were offered to Sri Sri Anna and Sri Manni. and Sri Swamiji adorned Sri Anna with a beautiful floral crown. 

Inside the Kuteeram, Sri Swaminatha Athreya, a great Mahan and Rama Bhakta who hails from Thanjavur joined Sri Swamiji in welcoming Sri Sri Anna.  A ‘Gadhyam’ on Sri Sri Anna composed by Sri Swamiji was read out during the inauguration. Sri Swamiji offered a special "kiLi maalai" (parrot garland) from Sri Rangam Sri Ranganatha's shrine to Sri Sri Anna.

Sri Sri Anna discoursed on Vishnu Sahasranama Bhashyam.

In the evening, at 3:00 pm, Sri Sri Anna renders the discourse on the Divine Life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Chaitanya Kuteeram.   The huge hall is packed with devotees and overflowed into the verandah and the streets to listen to the discourse.

Prasadams from various Divya Desams were brought by the Bhattacharyas for Sri Sri Anna. 

Every day, after the discourse, the procession with Mahamantra Kirtan starts.  At the entrance of Chaitanya Kuteeram, Sri Sri Anna blesses every devotee with Prasadam  Then Sri Sri Anna and Sri Swamiji lead the procession singing the Mahamantra, as more than a 1000 devotees who from different parts of the state take part.  With flags and ‘thaalam’ in their hands, Mahamantra in their lips and devotion in their hearts, the procession goes through all the streets of Govindapuram.

An elephant goes in the front signifying the head of the procession.  The procession spans the entire stretch of Govindapuram - If the head of the procession was one end of the village, the tail end was at the other end of the village.  It is indeed a wonderful treat for the eyes, as the nectar of the Mahamantra fills the ears.

On the first day (15th April), devotees from Tuticorin, Ambasamudram, Vairavanallur, Cheranmadevi, Kalsundu Colony, VK Puram, Ravanasamudram, Alwarkuruchi, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti and nearby cities participated in the procession.

On the second day (16th April), a large number of devotees from Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ammaiappan, Tiruturaipoondi, Mayiladuthurai and nearby cities took part in the procession.

On the third day (17th April), devotees from Cuddalore, Pondicherry, Mangalur, Sevvur, Thindivanam, Vizhupuram, Tiruchi, Salem, Erode, Vellakkovil, Palani, Tiruthani, Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, Paramakkudi and nearby cities participated.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the boarding and lodging of all the outstation devotees. All the devotees who attend the program are fed with sumptuously.