Sankranti Festival in SGS Ashrama, Vijayawada 2018
Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived in Vijayawada on 12 January 2018 to bless the Sankranti festival. SGS Ashrama Vijayawada had missed the traditional visits of Sri Swamiji during Ganapathy festival and New Year. Pujya Sri Swamiji was brought in a procession of drummers, horses, camels and Kolatam dancers on the road leading to Ashrama. Sri Swamiji took Darshana and offered Arati to Kshipra Ganapathy, Shyama Kamala Lochana Avatara Dattatreya, Marakata Raja Rajeswari Devi, Gangadhareswara Sphatika Shiva Lingam and Karya Siddhi Hanuman. Sri Swamiji tied Purna Phala coconut at Hanuman temple.
In the evening, welcome function was held. Smt.Aruna, commissioner of endowments department, Government of Andhra Pradesh offered welcome garland. Priests from several prominent temples of the region offered temple Prasadam to Pujya Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji in His speech called on people to live a Sattvic life of vegetarianism. Sri Swamiji called on people to study Bhagavad Gita and understand it’s meaning for a meaningful life. Sri Swamiji remembered the Bhagavad Gita chanting kids in India and USA.
13 January 2018
Sri Swamiji inaugurated the newly furbished temple kitchen facility. After Purnahuti and Darshana of temples, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja.
The Hanuman Chalisa Seva Sangham of Vishakhapatnam, organizers of the Hanuman Chalisa Parayana program led by Sri Swamiji in Vizag on 3 February 2018 released the banner, poster and invitation for the event. Sri Swamiji addressed the media and spoke about the Hanuman Chalisa Parayana movement over the years. Sri Swamiji called on devotees to come for the event on 3 February. Sri Swamiji also spoke about the healing music concert in Vizag steel plant stadium on 4 February 2018.
Sri Swamiji gave Prasadam to Sevakartas.
Later, Sri. Varadarajulu, baker from Tenali offered a 75 kilo cake to Pujya Sri Swamiji.
In the evening, Pujya Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans. Sri Swamiji remembered his association with Vijayawada from 1969 and their love for Bhajans. Sri Swamiji recalled the Bhajan singing tradition in Trinidad and the events that led to “Jana Samrakshana Yaga” in Trinidad.
14.01.2018 Sunday
In the morning, Pujya Sri Swamiji took Darshana of all deities in Vijayawada Ashrama. After Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Bala Swamiji offered garland to Pujya Swamiji in observance of his 41st Birthday. Vijayawada devotees offered garland to Sri Bala Swamiji in observance of his birthday. Sri Bala Swamiji spoke and said he prayed for “Jnana” from Sri Swamiji.
Organizers of Nada Shakti Raga Sagara concert planned in Vishakhapatnam on 4 February 2018 offered the invitation to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji then released several books authored by Sri.Krovi Parthasarathy, an erudite scholar of Vijayawada.
Devotees came in a line and took Darshana of Pujya Swamiji and received Prasadam. It took three hours.
At 5 PM Veda Sabha was held to celebrate Sri Bala Swamiji’s Birthday. Several Veda scholars from Vijayawada chanted Veda Mantras.
In the evening, Pujya Sri Swamiji addressed the Kriya Yoga class conducted in Vijayawada Ashrama. Later Pujya Swamiji sang scintillating Bhajans composed in early seventies. Sri Swamiji spoke about the genesis of the Bhajan composition. Vijayawada devotees were lucky to hear it from Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji sang all time favorite bhajans like Pahi Pahi Gajanana, Mata Maheswari Mantra Nilayeshwari, Jai Jai Kapeesha, Amba Bhavani Sharade, Krishnam Vishnum Sridharam. Audience went in to divine ruptures listening to their favorite oldies from Sri Swamiji. It was divine event. After Bhajans, Sri Swamiji cut a cake to celebrate Sri Bala Swamiji’s 41st birthday.
15.01.2018 Monday - Sankranti festival
Sankranti festival was observed with reverence and gaiety in Vijayawada Ashrama. Sri Swamiji offered food to cow and offered Purnahuti of Surya Homa. Sri Swamiji visited the shrines of Kshipra Ganapathy, Dattatreya & Anagha Devi, Raja Rajeswari Devi, Gangadhareswara Shiva Lingam, Saraswati Mantapa and Karya Siddhi Hanuman. Sri Swamiji then took Darshana of Gangireddhu, the decorated bull - a special feature of Sankranti festival. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja and offered Bhogi fruits to mother goddess. Young members of Vijayawada Ashrama Bhajan group sang Bhajans of Pujya Swamiji. Sri Bala Swamiji performed Bhogipallu pouring on children. Sri Swamiji gave Sankranti message to several television channels. Sri Swamiji gave Sankranti festival discourse and explained the importance of attaching religious significance to important festivals and not have a laid back or lackadaisical attitude. Devotees came in queue till 3 PM and took Darshana of Pujya Swamiji.
Annadanam was performed to all devotees like in previous days.
In the evening, members of Jayalakshmi Mata Matru Mandali performed Dolotsava to Pujya Swamiji.Sri Bala Swamiji explained the meaning and significance of “Sri Datta Laali” - a Bhavan sung by Ashrama members. Pujya Sri Swamiji in the parting message exhorted devotees to learn Kriya Yoga Pranayama and help improve their health. Sri Swamiji bemoaned the polluted food and life people consume and cautioned that regular Pranayama will help them shield themselves.
The three day Vijayawada visit concluded with this.
