Vajrotsava - 75 Birthday Celebrations of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - 21 May 2017
Vajrotsava Birthday 2017
The planning started 10 months ago. The most important event in 2017 for devotees of Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji was the 75th Birthday celebrations in May 2017.
Sri Swamji gave only two instructions.
- Honour 75 eminent persons
- Perform Annadanam to all
With those two instructions, the celebrations committee proceeded forward.
The eight days of 75th birthday celebrations from the 21st to 28th May 2017 was a soul soaring experience.
Ashrama was decorated elegantly. Nada Mantapam received visual overhaul with the exterior receiving color change and painting of musical symbols. The large semi circular stage was painted with murals depicting scenes of Mysuru Ashrama.
The fervour of programs started with Narasimha Jayanti on the 4th May.
Paatala Anjaneya temple consecration on 7th May indicated Hanuman’s Blessings for the upcoming festivities.
The Veda events which started on 14th May indicated the auspicious Blessings for the programs.
The 24th of Veda examinations saw record examinees coming from many states across India. The inauguration of Veda exams was held in Datta temple on ____.
On 20th May morning, 750 Veda scholars from all four Vedas viz., Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda & Atharva Veda come together in Poundareeka Ranga Sthala with Pujya Swamiji seated in a Mantapam in center. They chanted Mantras from the four Vedas. Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed every Pundit.
In the afternoon, Pujya Bala Swamiji gave away certificates to those who were successful in the exams.
Sri Datta Venkateswara Kshetra Brahmotsavams were held from 14th to 19th May 2017. On Friday 19 May, Sri Swamiji offered Maha Purnahuti of Brahmotsava Homas in the newly constructed Vajrotsava Yaga Shala in the south east corner of temple campus. Sri Swamiji then performed annual Brahmotsava Abhishekam to Sri Datta Venkateswara Swami.
21 May 2017 Sunday
The Vajrotrava - diamond jubilee 75th Birthday celebrations of Pujya Sri Swamiji started on Sunday 21st May 2017. Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived in Sri Datta Venkateswara Kshetram at 9.30 AM. After Darshana of Maha Ganapathy, Padmavathy, Sri Datta Venkateswara Swamy, Dhanvantari, Marakata Subrahmanya and Shiva temples, Sri Swamiji offered Archana to the giant Rudrakshi beads Ratha which housed the procession idols of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, & Dattatreya. Then, Sri Swamiji ascended the Ratham and sat inside the Ratham offering prayers to the procession idols. Several different cultural troupes of Karnataka state performed in front of the Ratham for about 30 minutes. Thousands of devotees witnessed the cultural acts. The Ratham slowly started it’s journey through the main fare of Datta Peetham. Thousands of people filled their hearts with the divine Darshana of Pujya Gurudeva in the Ratham. The Ratham slowly moved through the elaborately decorated main road of Ashram from Hanuma Dwara to Nada Mantapa. Arriving at Nada Mantapa, Sri Swamiji was received with Purnakumbham honours by Veda Pundits and taken to stage. Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the morning.
In the evening, Union minister of urban development, Sri.Venkaiah Naidu took Sri Swamiji’s Darshana. Later he inaugurated the newly constructed “Raga Ragini Book Stall” opposite Nada Mantapam.
At 6 PM, Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived on stage. The Vajrotsava festivities inauguration function took place. On the dais were Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, Pujya Sri Sivaratri Desikendra Swamiji of Jagadguru Sri Suttur Matha, Pujya Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of Puttige Matha, Union minister, Sri Venkaiah Naidu, Dr.Mahadevappa, Mysore district in charge minister & Public works minister of Karnataka Government, Sri.R.V.Deshpande, Minister for large industries, Karnataka Government, Sri.Pratap Simha, Member of Parliament, Mysuru & Kodagu, Sri.Somashekar, MLA, Krishnaraja constituency, Sri.Vasu, MLA, Chamaraja Constituency, Sri.G.T.Deve Gowda, MLA, Chamundeswari constituency, Sri.S.A.Ramdas, former Karnataka Government minister were present. After invoking the Veda chants by Ashrama Pundits, Ashrama daily prayer was sung by Ashram Bhajan Mandali.
The dignitaries on stage lit the lamp signalling the inauguration of the eight days Vajrotsava festivities. Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji gave a glorious welcome speech outlining the Avatara features of Pujya Swamiji and the planned events in the coming eight days. .
All the dignitaries honoured Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji for a fulfilling & blessed life of 75 years.
Sri.Venkaiah Naidu released the Vajrotsava souvenir. Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji honoured the dignitaries with Peetha Satkaram. Sri Venkaiah Naidu, in his speech, read the message from Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi. He also extolled Pujya Sri Swamiji for the excellence in spiritual life. Sri. H.C.Mahadevappa praised Pujya Sri Swamiji’s all inclusive approach to bring the marginalised in the society to main stream. Sri.Deshpande recalled Pujya Sri Swamiji’s visit to his home town - Haliyala in November 2016. Sri.Pratap Simha too thanked Sri Swamiji for establishing the beautiful Ashrama in Mysuru. Sri.G.T.Devegowda remembered Pujya Sri Swamiji building temple for Dalits in Hunsur town.
Pujya Sri Shivaratri Desikendra Swamiji recalled decades long association of Sri Swamiji and Suttur Matha. Sri.Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji lauded Pujya Sri Swamiji’s global mission of spreading the message of Sanatana Dharma & Music for meditation and healing.
Pujya Sri Swamiji in the benedictory address blessed the audience and gave a call to all Datta devotees to shun caste system & live as human beings.
Sri Swamiji then blessed the runners who brought Vajra Jyoti from Mekedatu to Mysuru.
Later, Sri Swamiji visited the newly inaugurated book stall and blessed devotees with Raga Ragini trust publications.
