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  • Sanatsujata – The Child Saint by Swami Veda Bharati
  • The One-Pointed Mind by Swami Rama
  • Paradise on Heart by Daniela Citti
  • Guru Purnima Celebration in Bangalore by Namita Sinha
  • Why Do Joints & Glands? by Ashutosh Sharma
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is
  • 2019 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Guru Purnima Celebration in Bangalore

by Namita Sinha

akhaṇḍa-maṇḍalākāram vyāptam yena carācaram|
tatpadam darśitam yena tasmai śrī gurave namah||

On 14th July 2019, the South India Sangha was blessed with a gathering for double celebrations of Swami Veda’s Mahasamadhi Day and Guru Purnima at the Bangalore center.

The celebrations felt blessed by the guru lineage in presence of two very senior teachers in the Himalayan Tradition - Chanchala Rao Ji and Raghavendra Adiga Ji.

Chanchala Mataji is a Sri Vidya initiate of Swami Veda Bharati and a respected Sri Vidya teacher; she lives in Bangalore. Her book titled SRUSHTI – The Playground of Cosmic Energies is a mesmerising account of her experiences with kundalini and Sri Vidya practices. The book recounts her captivating experiences with Swami Veda on her fascinating spiritual journey. The book is written in her spiritual name Vyomaa and is available at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG).

Raghavendra Adiga Ji is a mantra initiator in the Himalayan Tradition, based in Tumkur (80 kms from Bangalore). Raghavendra Ji met Gurudeva Swami Rama in 1995 and has been an initiator since 2008; he has also been guiding retreat for initiates at SRSG, Rishikesh.

We were also joined by Shri Ashok Shanbhag Ji and his wife Deepa Shanbhag Ji; our hosts of Guru Purnima celebration in Bangalore last year. Ashok Shanbhag Ji has been closely associated with the tradition through late Shri Madhav Kamat Ji and is deeply devoted to Swami Veda and the teachings of Himalayan Tradition.

Many initiates joined us with their families; there were also many who were new to tradition and had first time experience of a celebration like this.

We opened with Guru Vandana and lamp lighting; followed by a guided meditation by Raghavendra Ji that set the atmosphere with tranquility and silence. In honour and as an offering of love for the Guru lineage, a yajña of Guru and Saumya-Tara mantras was performed by Chanchala Rao Ji and Namita.

The documentary film on Swami Veda was played, and it filled our hearts with his loving presence all over again. For prasad, we also made Swami Veda’s favourite sweet gujhiya (an Indian sweet meat made of flour dumpling with milk solids stuffing).

Recounts of some experiences:

Raghavendra Adiga:

“I was very much delighted to be at Namitaji s yoga centre on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima homa. I also was fortunate to meet Swamiji's advanced disciple and Sri vidya initiate Smt Chanchala Rao.

It was an amazing sight of homa where one could see the agni (sacred fire) taking different forms of divine mother and the whole area was charged with the divine spirit.

The program was concluded with distribution of prasadam and we thoroughly enjoyed delicious south Indian lunch.

I thank Namitaji from the bottom of my heart for inviting me for the sacred event.”

Mr. Ashok Shanbhag:

“Myself and my wife had the opportunity to participate in the satsang organised by Namitaji on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima and Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi Day. I experienced a very positive feeling at her well-designed yoga center. Observing the process of Saumya Tara fire offerings conducted by Vyomaa (Chanchala Mataji) and also meditation session by Adiga Ji naturally elevated us to stillness of the mind and silence. I feel that this place is ideal for our south India Ahymsin gathering and hope to have more opportunities to come together. I appreciate the initiative taken by Namitaji to strengthen the process.”

Smt. Meena Sreekanteshwar:

“We were cordially invited on a wonderful Sunday morning (14th July 2019) into Urdhva Yoga to celebrate Guru Poornima. On entering the center, the portrait of Shri Gurudeva Swami Rama filled the ambience of the centre with positive vibrations. With salutations to the Gurus, the program started with a smooth flow of guided meditation by Shri. Raghavendra Ji, followed by a havan of Akhandamandalakaram & Saumya mantra under the able guidance of Maatha Chanchala Rao Ji, a Sri Vidya initiate of the Himalayan Tradition. The delicious sweet dishes were served as prasadam. On having prasadam, we left the center with a small cute bag of dry fruits, lovingly gifted to us by the organisers. It was a long-awaited wonderful gathering indeed!”

Tasmai shri gurave namah.