AvadhootaDatta Peetham

 

The Haridwar Ashrama is situated on the Sapta Sarovar Road in Haridwar townand is right on the banks of Ganges. The Ashrama was started by Swami Kalyanananda Teertha of Andhra Pradesh state in the 1960s. He once dreamt of Lord Venkateswara telling him that he should, after death, pass his Ashrama to Sri Swamiji, who would take care of your creation. This dream was repeated several times and he made inquiries with his disciples and then started to correspond with Sri Swamiji. He regularly wrote to Mysore Ashrama requesting Sri Swamiji to visit his "Bhadra Kali Peetha" in Haridwar.
It was only in 1993 that Sri Swamiji visited the Ashrama and spoke to Swami Kalyanananda Teertha. The Ashrama was then called as "Bhadra Kali Peetham". Swami Kalyananananda Teertha offered it to Sri Swamiji that Datta Peetham should take over and maintain the Ashrama after His Samadhi. This year, Swami Kalyanananda Teertha left his Mortal coil and as was his wish Pujya Swamiji visited the Haridwar Ashrama in the same year of his passing away.

Also Datta Peetham had built a ghat (approach steps) on the Ganges river to facilitate the pilgrims visiting Haridwar for a holy dip in this year's Purna Kumbha Mela. Pujya Sri Swamiji saw this and appreciated this timely facility done by devotees.

The climate was cool and the lush green surroundings added spiritual aura to the environs.

On 16th November, Monday, Pujya Swamiji traveled from Delhi to Haridwar in Shatabdi express. The six hour journey by train was memorable with many people in the train approaching Sri Swamiji to bless them.
At 3 P.M. Pujya Swamiji performed the inauguration of the Datta Anagha Ghat and bathed in the Ganges river along with the devotees and poured Ganga water on them. This was a once in a life time opportunity for many of the devotees.

At 7 P.M., Pujya Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Bhadra Kali Temple.

In the evening Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the dimly lit tiny cubicle of the Bhadra Kali temple sanctum. After the Puja was over, it was a rare sight to watch Pujya Swamiji, sitting in the sanctum, give Teertham (holy water) to all the devotees. We all were doubly blessed. After the Puja, Sri Swamiji offered Purnahuti to the Rudra Homam (performed in conjunction with the last Monday of the Kartika month). In a brief speech, Sri Swamiji remembered Swami Kalyanananda Teertha and explained to the assembled devotees and Sadhus (there were many Sadhus from Haridwar present there), the manner in which the Haridwar Ashrama was started. Pujya Swamiji watched from His room steps, devotees and Sadhus having food. The evening food was served by Smt.Ratna Varma in the memory of her father, Late Sri P.N.Wanchoo of Kashmir, an ardent devotee of His Holiness. The night sleep was peaceful with the faint sound of river Ganges sounding like a lullaby of a mother putting children to sleep.

On 17th, Tuesday, after the morning chanting of Aditya Hridaya Stotram, Sri Swamiji left for Rishikesh Ashrama Rishikesh is situated about 30 minutes away from Haridwar and there are many serves as entrance to the Himalayas and other holy shrines and places in the region. Our Ashrama is situated on Haridwar Road and is opposite river Ganges Sri Swamiji was warmly received by the care taker, priest and devotees of Rishikesh. After Arati to Datta in the temple there, Sri Swamiji sat under a sprawling Chandan tree. Devotees offered flowers to the Guru Pada (Holy feet of Sadguru). Sri Swamiji blessed everyone and visited the newly started Gangour Hotel started by a devotee in Rishikesh. On the journey back, Sri Swamiji spoke to the taxi driver driving Swamiji's car. He was a Moslem, Abdul Sattar. Sri Swamiji warmly inquired about his family and his well being. He was so moved by the warmth and compassion of Sri Swamiji's inquiry that he asked Swamiji "If he would be permitted to be a devotee". Swamiji smiled and said, "you already are".

After returning to Haridwar, Sri Swamiji suddenly decided to take a dip in the Ganges again, for the second time. Sri Swamiji was all alone in the river for about one hour and then permitted us to take some photos and video. The azure blue water of the Ganges was so blending with the orange ochre robes of Sri Swamiji. It was a feast for the eyes. After the 'Snaan' (holy bath) Sri Swamiji announced that a Homa will be performed and ordered to build a Homa Kundam. Even without changing the wet clothes, Sri Swamiji performed a Homa. Sitting on the first step of the Ghat, Sri Swamiji chanted mantras and offered ghee in to the fire. After the Homa, Sri Swamiji poured Ganga water on the "Deva Samputa", the idols of Datta Peetham that is carried with Sri Swamiji on all tours. At 6 PM, Sri Swamiji left Haridwar Ashrama for the train station and left for Delhi on Shatabdi express. This visit to Haridwar and Rishikesh was truly memorable with unique and exhilarating experiences. On 18th evening Sri Swamiji arrived in Mysore Ashrama