JANUARY 1, 1998 at Vijayawada Ashrama.. Report and Photos
His Holiness Sri Swamiji's Andhra Pradesh tour started from Vijayawada. Upon arrival on 20th December , Sri Swamiji was warmly welcomed by thousands of devotees . Vijayawada is near the coast line of Andhra Pradesh and is the second largest commerce town in this state. Sri Swamiji established Ashrama here in 1971 and is the largest base of Sri Swamiji in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Swamiji has been visiting Vijayawada every year and the striking feature of the visits are the Darshan given to Devotees on 1st of January every year, Tens of thousands of people form a queue from early in the morning and are blessed with the opportunity of touching the holy feet of His Holiness. This year too this event is planned.
On 21st Sunday, Sri Swamiji released a comic book depicting the Leelas of Pujya Swamiji. The tastefully drawn book was appriciated by all.
Sri Swamiji releases the comic book "Sachchidananda Leelau. Trustees of Vagdevi trust, the publisher of this book are seen.
On Monday the 22nd, the devotees of Vijayawada were blessed to perform the most important Anaghashtami vratham was performed in the presence if Pujya Swamiji. 1008 couples performed the Vratham collectively . Sri Swamiji came and performed the Arati to the Dattatreya and Anaghadevi idols. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Swamiji underlined the importence of the anagha Vratham (also called Anaghashtami Vratham) amongst other Vrathams like Satyanarayana Vratham, Katyayini Vratham, Swarna Gowri Vratham, etc.
Sri Swamiji along with the idols of Lord Anagha Swamy and Anagha Devi
Sri Swamiji visiting all those who performed the Vratham,
The Sacred feet peeps out of the golden Saree which Sri Swamiji had draped.
The most important aspect of this visit was the nine lectures on Goddess
durga Devi. From 23rd to 31st of this month, Sri Swamiji will be giving
three hour lectures every evening. The nine Durgas on whom Sri Swamji will
be epeaking are -
23rd Dec - Chandra Ghanta
24th Dec - Shaila Putri
25th Dec - Brahmacharini
26th Dec - Skanda Mata
27th Dec - Kushmanda Devi
28th Dec - Katyayini
29th Dec - Kala Ratri
30th - Maha Gowri
31st - Siidhi Datri
Though these lectures are compiled from various Puranas, Shastras and other Devi related scriptures, it is largely based from the scrioture - "Tripura Rahasya" the secret treatise preached by Lord Dattatreya himself to serious spiritual seekers.
The idol of Mother Goddess behind Pujya Swamiji.
His Holiness, seated in a special Mantap, lectures on Mother Durga Devi.