You can read Sri Swamiji´s message for the year 1997 here.
The auspicious Maha Shivaratri celebrations was performed with devotional
fervour and religiousness amidst thousands of devotees chanting "Om
Namah Shivaya". On 6th evening, Girija Kalyanam was performed to mark
the onset of Shivaratri.
7th March 97
At 6 AM His Holiness Parama Poojya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji performed Agni Puja, worshipping agni as the embodiment of Lord Shiva. After the Poornahuti, His Holines received two celestial objects, A Bana Lingam and a Crystal Shiva Lingam. His Holiness said, the manifetsations of these two objects meant that that the Ardha Nareeshwara tattva will rule the planet. This means water and heat problems will plague the human life. His Excellency Sri. R. Venkataraman, former President of India had the darshan of His Holiness and participated in the celebrations.
Pujya Sri Swamiji performing Agni
Puja
Pujya Sri Swamiji performing Abhishekam to Lord Sachchidanandaeshwara
Four CD's (compact discs) of Sri Swamiji's bhajans and music for meditation
and healing were released in the morning. Later Rudra Homam was performed
by the Ashrama Veda Pundits.
At 12 noon the unique Moolikeswara statue in the ashrama was worshipped
and ablution was performed.
At 6 PM, water from several sacred rivers of India and the holy Manas Sarovar
lake was brought in a colorful procession. Later thousands of devotees irrespective
of any barriers had the unique opportunity of performing Abhishekam personally
to the Sachchidanandeshwara Shivalingam. Thousands of devotees made use
of this rare opportunity and performed Abhishekam. Later His Holines performed
Abhishekam with Panchamritam and other sacred ingredients. Later the Shiva
Lingam was decorated in various styles.
As part of the cultural programmes, Vidwan Chandan Kumar (great grand son
of Vidwan T Chowdaiah) gave a flute concert . Later Pundit Jasraj gave a
scintillating hindustani classical vocal concert. His Holiness conducted
Bhajan session and gave a discourse on the 12 Shiva Kshetras.
Maha Mangala Arti was performed to the Shiva Lingam at
5.30 a.m. on the 8th morning.
Jaya Guru Datta