HH Sri Swamiji in Dallas - Ganesh Utsav & Bhagavad Gita Parayana & Conference
HH Sri Swamiji visit to Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, Frisco, TX, USA - 8 to 23 Sep 2018
Sat, Sep 8
Ganapathy Guru Mahotsav celebrations began with Pujya Sri Swamiji’s divine darshan in Frisco, Texas on the evening of Saturday, September 08, 2018. Sri Swamiji proceeded from the airport directly to the temple to a loving and enthusiastic reception by hundreds of devotees who were eagerly waiting for His arrival. Sri Swamiji urged all those assembled to take 10 minutes to practice good habits, including chanting one Gita Shloka and its meaning, as it will give a lot of good energy. Sri Swamiji enchanted the attendees with a surprise Nada Archana (a mini-concert – music for meditation) including Swamiji’s first Hanuman Bhajan, Jai Jai Kapesa. Sri Swamiji then recognized devotees who have been Swamiji’s devotees for 5 generations and presented the 5thgeneration children with a golden pendant which was Puja Prasadam from Mysuru. Amazingly, there were nine (9) such families present to receive this most precious blessing directly from Sri Swamiji’s divine hands.
Sun, Sep 9
Pujya Sri Swamiji was welcomed to Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in a grand ceremony with a musical procession while Sri Swamiji gave darshan through the open roof of the car on the morning of September 9th, 2018. Sri Swamiji took darshan of deities in the Temple and offered Aarti to Markata Hanuman. Sri Swamiji was welcomed with in invocation dance to “Sri Vignarajam Bhaje” and a traditional Lezim group dance on the occasion of Ganesh Utsav.
KSHT Trustees, Sri Ramakrishna Vellanki, Sri Jayesh Thakker, Sri Jay Naidu, Sri Sriram Cheruvu and Sri Murali Tummala, offered the welcome garland. DYC Chairman, Sri VV Prakasa Rao, gave the welcome address for Sri Swamiji. The KSHT Gardening team offered vegetables grown in the organic garden of the temple through Vedic farming techniques to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji blessed the team and later planted three trees which were a part of their 76 trees mission in honor of Sri Swamiji’s birthday. Sri Swamiji blessed the gathered devotees with His speech.
In the evening, devotees were blessed with the first Sri Chakra Puja of this trip. Various local teacher and student artists offered Swaradevata and Swarakshara Kritis as part of Sachchidananda Sangeetotsavam, a unique presentation of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji’s compositions. The Sangeeta Seva was accompanied by a detailed and informative presentation based on Swamiji’s Raga Ragini On September 9, 2018, a unique presentation comprising of Sri Swamiji’s Swarakashara and Swaradevata Kritis were presented by more than 60 musicians across the nation( New Jersey, Dallas, Houston, and California)
The performance wrapped around the audience with the lyrical beauty of Nada Brahma Sri Swamiji’s musical masterpieces. Pujya Sri Swamiji expressed happiness and amazement over the dedicated practice the musicians undertook to sing the Kritis in unison and blessed them. Sri Swamiji honored families in the audience who have been Swamiji’s devotees for 5 generations with a special Prasad only given to the current fifth generation members.
Tue, Sep 11
Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja on September 11, 2018. Melodious Sangeeta Seva was ably and joyfully offered by Vid. Sri Mysore Nagaraj, Vid. Dr. Sri. Mysore Manjunath, Vid. Sri Patri Satish Kumar and Vid. Sri Ghatam Giridhar Udupa. They continued playing after the puja while Sri Swamiji and devotees watched enraptured by the performance. If music could be made to smile then in their performance music was happily rejoicing. Sri Swamiji blessed the Sumangalis, who performed Sri Swarna Gowri Vrata and Suvasini Puja, with special darshan to offer their prayers before concluding for the evening.
Wed, Sept 12
On the sacred occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, on September 12, 2018, Pujya Sri Swamiji visited the shrines in the Temple and offered Aarti to Karya Siddhi Hanuman. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja with 108 Undraloo, 108 Modakas, and 108 Karanji (Kajjikayaloo) which were prepared especially for the puja. Devotees were blessed to perform Siddhi Vinayaka Vrata, simultaneously, in the temple main hall and listen to the Ganapathy story. Sri Swamiji blessed the Annakut, with numerous varieties of Ganesh’s favorite foods and sweets, prepared by many devotees. Devotees offered Sri Swamiji a Gaja mala made of Karanji. KSHT Datta Kriya Yoga teachers released the new English version of the ‘Datta Kriya Yoga’ book. Sri Swamiji gave a discourse on this auspicious day which was followed by a detailed translated into English by Sri Ravendra Boggaram at Swamiji’s command. The Yoga Sangeeta App was released by Sri Srinivas Chundu. Sri Srinivas Kodavatiganti unveiled new bundled online Seva programs (DattaPeetham.org/donations) so devotees can easily support the types of Sevas that are near and dear to their heart. In the evening, Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees with a wonderful Ganapathy Bhajans. The new Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple website (karyasiddhihanuman.org) was released by Sri Lokesh Naicker and Sri Chidananda Sulur to the cheers of all those present.
Fri, Sept 14
Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed hundreds of devotees at Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple with two hour Dhyana with Mouna session. Sri Swamiji later met and blessed the Bhagavad-Gita Mahayajna students from Batch 4 and Dallas teachers. Many devotees were blessed with Sri Swamiji’s darshan for the first time and were moved to be part of the divine Gita Mahayagna program in Karya Siddhi Hanuman’s Sannidhi.
Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the evening of September 14th, 2018 with Sangeeta Seva by offering beautifully by the Veena Sisters of DFW. Sri Swamiji blessed the extensive KSHT Canteen team of volunteers for their dedicated Seva and blessed the audience with a discourse. Devotees had the divine opportunity to come in darshan line and offer their prayers personally to His Holiness Sri Swamiji.
Sat, Sept 15: Global Gita Conference Day 1
Over 127 children and adults chanted the entire 700 Shlokas of Sri Bhagavad Gita in the divine presence of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji at Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, TX, USA on 15th Sep 2018 as the auspicious and powerful start to the two day 16th annual Global Gita Conference. Sitting upon a stage created to resemble the chariot of Sri Krishna led by majestic white horses, the chanters were joined by 59 fluent readers from across the world, all of whom were Batch 3 graduates of the Gita Mahayagna started by HH Sri Swamiji at the Marakata Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in 2015. HH Sri Swamiji and His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puthige Math (Udupi, India) inaugurated the event in the presence of Sri Japananda Swamiji, Founder and Chairman of the Ramakrishna Sevashram (Tumkur District, India); Dr. Pathikonda Viswambara Nathji, Founder of International Gita Foundation Trust (UK); Acharya Sharada Kumarji, Board Member of Chinmaya Mission West (Michigan, USA); Dr. M.G. Prasad, Professor and Former Trustee Hindu Temple & Cultural Society (New Jersey, USA).
The spell binding and flawless rendition of the Gita, Gita Mahatmyam from Varaaha Purana, Gita Sara (set of 18 shlokas composed by Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji set to various Ragas) led to a rousing standing ovation by the packed hall. The Gita Mahayagna program has trained 450 memorizers and 225 fluent readers till date. Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji, in recognition of their efforts, presented all the memorizers with gold-embossed certificates bearing HIS signature and awarded them with gold medals. The winners of the annual all 18 chapters Gita competition among the current batch were announced. A few very lucky people who had their birthday on this very day were recognized by Sri Swamiji with a special Prasad.
The evening programs started with two short skits performed by the Mahayagna students on the influence of Gita in day to day life events. Prof M.G.Prasad gave a wonderful and informative overview of Chapter 16 shlokas. Conference attendees were treated to a dance ballet performed to Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji’s composition of Gita Sara. The unique dance ballet featured a combined presentation of 3 different dance forms by 3 DFW dance schools: Bharatanatyam by Ellora Performing Arts Center, Kuchupudi by Kuchupudi Kalakshetra and Oddissi by Oddissi Kalamandir. Following a special Gita themed cake cutting, Sri Swamiji blessed devotees with a Gita infused discourse as everyone was still immersed in the nectar of the sacred Gita from the conference. The evening concluded with everyone looking forward to the next day’s Gita conference events.
Sun, Sept 16: Global Gita Conference Day 2
The conference was reconvened in the morning with the announcement of the winners for Fifth Annual National Gita Competition which was focused on Chapter 16 this year. Later Acharya Sharda Kumarji elaborated on Shlokas 22, 23, and 24 from chapter 16 and connected them day-to-day examples which resonated well with the audience of mixed ages. Swami Japananadaji expanded on the principles of chapter 16, specifically about the remedy given by Sri Krishna for dilemmas faced by humankind. A youth forum followed with speeches by High Schoolers Chy. Pavan Prabhala and Chy. Harsha Sankaran. The dignitaries were impressed and amazed by the profound depth and understanding displayed by them. Next, the captivated audience was fortunate to hear from Sri PV Nathji and Mr. Terry Rann on Chapter 16. They were later treated to Gita related Talent show in which Mahayagna students showed who they could chant a shloka given the chapter and Shloka number and vice versa, competing in parallel chanting where two different Gita chapters are chanted out loud by two students without either on losing her/his place, sharing the meaning of a shloka given a shloka number, and chanting a shloka given the start of any line in that shloka and chanting shlokas in reverse order. The talent show was an inspiring and amazing feat to witness!!
The afternoon session started with a speech by college student Chy. Sthitadeesh Nelapatla about ‘Sadhana in Bhagavad Gita’. This was followed by a speech by Chy. Sravani Sreeram. A question and answer session was conducted where the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to the panel to gain clarification on the many topics discussed during the conference. This was followed by more fun Gita related activities including Gita Antyakshari and dumb charades.
The evening program began in HH Sri Swamiji’s presence with Sri PV Nathji well-rounded summary of all the events that took place during the past 2 days. Later Sri Srikanth Challaji summarized the events on behalf of the Gita Mahayagna program and encouraged everyone to spread the word of unique special event, announced earlier in Mysuru by Sri Swamiji, known as “Sahasra Gala Parayana Mahayagna” to be conducted with at least 1000 participants chanting the Gita from memory as a gift to His Holiness on the occasion of His 80th birthday in 2022. Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed the audience with a valedictory speech and directed everyone to learn Gita whether through reading or memorization. Sri P.V Nathji gave the vote of thanks on behalf of International Gita Foundation Trust and Smt. Sunitha Cheruvu gave vote of thanks on behalf of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple. As per the custom, the event concluded with the rendition of the US (Host Country) National Anthem followed by the Indian National Anthem as sung by Gita Mahayagna graduated students.
Thu, Sept 20
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed devotees with a divine Divyanaama Sankeertana Bhajans program to the blissful joy of all the devotees who assembled in the main hall despite the day long torrential rains outside! More fifth generation devotees came forward on this evening to receive special Prasad directly from Sri Swamiji’s divine hands.
Fri, Sept 21
Pujya Sri Swamiji blessed devotees with darshan at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in the morning of September 21, 2018. Shukavana Anniversary Celebrations were celebrated at Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple with a display of local parrots along with kids who had dressed up as birds. This was followed by Sri Chakra Puja by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji with Sangeeta Seva by KSHT Mass Group Bhajans as led by Vid. Sri Mani Narasimhan. The KSHT Community Service team shared latest social and community service activities conducted by the Temple including the annual Health Fair which is free for all registered attendees and Charity Walkathon which raised funds for needy children and families to provide: college scholarships, school supplies, food and grocery items along with funds for disaster relief. The volunteers and Sri Swamiji presented a donation to the Frisco Family Services, a local charity, for their new community garden project which will supply fresh produce for homeless and underprivileged families living in DFW. As part of the Shukavana Anniversary celebrations, Sri Swamiji introduced the devotees to the various birds in Mysore Guru Nilaya through a live video call. It was a treat for everyone to watch Swamiji interact with His beloved birds.
Sat, Sept 22
Pujya Sri Swamiji performed abhisheka to Sri Ganapathy and Marakata Karya Siddhi Hanuman in the morning of September 22nd, 2018. Sri Swamiji later performed Sri Chakra Puja and blessed the devotees with a Question and Answer session on spirituality and a discourse.
In the evening, it was time for the long awaited Brahma Nada Raga Sagara Music for Meditation concert by Pujya Sri Swamiji. Many local community and elected leaders from Frisco attended this special concert including Frisco Fire Chief Mark Piland, Frisco Police Asst. Chief Darren Stevens, Frisco ISD Trustees: Anne McCausland and Steven Noskin, Frisco Education Foundation Board Members: Peter Burns and Marie Walters. Pujya Sri Swamiji played Rushyaketupriya, Chandrajyoti, Chakravaka and Sama Ragas. Chakravaka was the main meditation raga for the day and used a the Australian Aboriginal musical instrument - rain stick for the first time ever in a concert during Chakravaka Raga Alapana.
Sun, Sept 23
Sri Chakra Puja by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji with Sangeeta Seva was offered by US students of Vid. Sri Jaitra Varanasi . Swamiji blessed those gathered with His divine discourse followed by a darshan line to everyone’s delight.
The evening began with Ganesh Nimajjana procession around the temple with devotees’ cheers and drums by devotees. Sri Swamiji surprised the procession with blessings and darshan from the Guru Nilaya balcony. As all bid farewell to Ganesh clay murti until next year, it was time for the concluding program to begin. Smt. Chandana Veturi and party offered Kuchipudi Nritya Seva. The KSHT Youth group presented Swamiji with a United States Presidential Volunteer Service award and medal they earned for having completed 1000 hours of Seva within one year! Sri Swamiji was presented with a United States flag that was flown over the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on September 12, 2018 in Sri Swamiji’s name. All through the visit, devotees were urged to write notes for their beloved Appaji / Tataji. All those notes were strung together to form a garland, which was placed inside an old fashioned red mailbox reminiscent of Sri Swamiji’s days as a postal office worker, which Swamiji unveiled and wore for a most divine and loving darshan to all who participated. Sri Prakasa Rao read out invitation for His Holiness to visit Karya Siddhi Hanuman temple next year and inaugurate the new Raja Gopuram and Dhwaja Sthambham of Karya Siddhi Hanuman temple.
After a special cake cutting featuring the three structures that served as the Temple (trailer, Hanuman Cultural Center (now known as Jayalkshmi Mata Hall) and main Temple building), the Vid. Sri Mani Narasimham sang Dolotsava Bhajan “Sri Datta Laali” melodiously to conclude this most divine and auspicious visit by Ganapathy Swaroopa Sri Swamiji to Frisco’s Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple.
