Aaditya Hrudayam of God Sun in Amaravati Temple in Sadhana App

Surprisingly, today I was not in a mood to chant Aaditya Hrudayam. Every Sunday morning after sunrise I chant it along with a video from YouTube. From the past few weeks, the advertisement had started appearing right in the middle of the Stotra which was disturbing my concentration and was turning me off. The flashing advertisements before the start or after the end of the Stotra could be skipped or watched without getting distracted. 

Aaditya Hrudayam is a very powerful hymn from the Ramayana by Sage Valmiki which was recited by Lord Rama before his battle with Ravana. Lord Rama was exhausted on the battlefield, and the sage Agastya advised him to recite the Aaditya Hrudayam Stotra, which would help him defeat Ravana and emerge victorious. It is composed of 31 verses, all of which are powerful mantras. Reciting this Stotra with devotion and faith can help a devotee overcome various obstacles, bring success over enemies, and get rid of illness and gain good health. It has magical powers to remove negative energies from the surroundings and provide protection from evil forces. It also helps in purifying the mind and soul of the worshipper. Performing the Abhishekam with this powerful Stotra is said to bring immense benefits, like good physical and mental health, bringing materialistic and spiritual success and removing negative and evil forces. The ever radiant and generous Sun God who is considered the source of all life and energy, can bestow blessings on his devotees to help them overcome any obstacles in their life.

I decided to check if Sadhana App had Aaditya Hrudayam (8min) in Lord Sun Temple. I clicked on various options and found it in the Abhishekam section. I tapped the button and started praying to God Sun. I mentally offered the following ingredients like water, gangajal, milk, water, yogurt, fragrant oil, gold, red cloth, red garland, incense, dhoop, ghee lamp, betel nuts, paan, small pot, gemstones, dry fruits, flowers, handheld bell, handheld lamp with love and devotion to my beloved deity. 

The pure water and sacred gangajal were poured on the statue which signifies purity and cleansing of not only the deity but oneself. The fresh milk and yogurt were offered as a symbol of nourishment and sustenance, while the fragrant oil, incense, and dhoop filled the air with a fragrance, creating a tranquil environment. The glittering gold and gemstones were presented to bless the devotee with wealth and prosperity. At the time of sunrise the sun appears red in color towards the horizon therefore while worshipping a rising sun, red colored things were offered like vibrant red cloth, sacred red garland and scented red colored flowers. They all symbolized opulence. The betel nuts were offered to enhance prosperity in the materialistic world and paan were given for wish fulfillment. Both had spiritual as well as medicinal properties. 

I watched in awe as the Aarti lamp was lit and created a flickering flame. It was not the flame of fire rather it was the flame of knowledge and wisdom which ignited in me. And as I focused on it, a sense of clarity sprang inside me. Offerings of dry fruits and flowers were made, and the ringing of the handheld bell continued to add a sense of rhythm and harmony to the environment. The handheld lamp was lit representing the inner illumination.

As I walked away from the magnificent white colored and golden striped grand temple, I was overwhelmed with the sense of peace and gratitude. The Abhishekam while chanting to Aditya Hrudayam of God Sun in Amaravati Temple in Sadhana App was truly an unforgettable experience.