Aradhana Report
Aradhana Report | Pictures of Aradhana Day
40th Anniversary of the Punyatithi Aradhana of
His Holiness Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
The anniversary of Gurudev Swami Sivananda’s Mahasamadhi was celebrated on Monday, July 21, ’03. This most holy of days was joyfully celebrated with the full participation of residents and devotees. All were given the opportunity to honour Gurudev.
The Holy Aradhana day started in the Ashram with meditation at 4:30 a.m. in the pandal where the Sadhana Week programmes had been held. Arati was performed in the Vishwanath temple followed by Abhisheka from 7 to 9 a.m. Simultaneously in the Samadhi Shrine there was chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama followed by Narayanaya 7:30-8:30 a.m.
At 8:15 a.m. in the pandal devotees started chanting ‘Jai Gurudev’, then at 9:00 a.m. all those gathered at the pandal for Gurudev’s Paduka Puja, joined in the divine worship. This worship was organized in a way to allow all devotees to take part. The senior monks of the Ashram: Revered Swami Jivanmukdananda Maharaj, Revered Swami Premananda Maharaj, Revered Swami Nirlipdananda Maharaj, and Swami Yogaswarupananda Maharaj were on the dais. All devotees in the pandal were given a cloth with an image of Gurudev’s feet on it. A plate and flower offerings were given to everyone and the Puja commenced with all participating. After the Puja all of the flower offerings of the devotees were added to the main Puja on the dais.
The Puja was attended by representatives of several local Ashrams. After the Puja, speeches were made by the senior swamis giving the message of Gurudev. Revered Swami Jivanmukdanandaji said that the Mahasamadhi Day was the most important day in the Sivananda Ashram calendar.
At 3:00 p.m. the afternoon session began with bhajans from 3:00-3:30 p.m. At 3:30 speeches were given on the life of Gurudev by the senior swamis.
The evening session began with bhajans followed by a video of Gurudev.
This was a beautiful day, and a wonderful celebration. Gurudev’s spirit is ever present in the Ashram. The celebration reminded devotees of his presence and grace. It was determined that 5 lakhs (500,000) of ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya’ was said on this auspicious day.
Aradhana Report | Pictures of Aradhana Day