report by Smt. Sudha Vishweshwariah

Lalita Koti Kunkumarchana in Bangalore.
Sri Lalita Koti Kunkumarchana Maya Yajna was performed in Bangalore Ashrama from 15th July to 20th July. As has been the practice for the last eight years, the programme was conductesd on all the Fridays of the month of Ashadha this year also. The members of Matru Mandali sought Sri Swamiji’s blessings to conduct this eventful ritual and Sri Swamiji instructed Sri Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi to officiate.
On 15th July, the celebrations took off with Kalasha Sthapana rituals and ablutions to the Meru Sri Chakra. Chanting of Lalita Sahasranama commenced at 9 a.m. and went on till 1.30 in the afternoon. Trishati was also chanted and finally Mangala Arati was offered.
Besides regular chanting, Annarchana (offering of cooked rice) and Homa were performed on all the days. Lalita Sahasranama continued in the afternoon and continued till 6 in the evening. The daily programmes concluded with Maha Mangalarati and Poornahuti. Sri Venugopala Shastry, a renowned Upasaka of Bhagavati gave lectures on the sanctity and importance of Maha Yajnas such as the one conducted by the Matru Mandali.
Maha Ganapati Homa, Rudra Homa. Lakshmi Homa, Durga Homa, Saraswati Homa were conducted on different days. On the concluding day, Chandi Homa was performed. Sri Krishna Bhat of Bangalore had made necessary arrangement for this very special Homa.
The entire programme was a grand success and it was evident by the number of devotees who took part on all the days. Annadana was conducted on all the days. Maha Prasadam of Sri Lalita Koti Kunkumarchana was distributed to all the devotees after Chandi Homa on the last day. The kunkum prasadam was also offered to Her Excellency, Smt. Ramadevi, the Governor of Karnataka.
Various priests of the neighbouring locality were honoured on 18th July. Special felicitations were offered to Sri Vamshi Krishna, who ably conducted the function.
Although His Holiness Sri Swamiji could not garce the occasion physically, the programme went on smoothly by His Divine Grace. The devotees could appreciate the energy His Holiness.
On 22nd July, the members of Matrumandali and Jnana Bodha Sabha of Bangalore visited Mysore Ashrama and offered the prasadam to His Holiness Sri Swamiji. They offered their respectful pranams to Sri Swamiji for having blessed them to conduct this memorable programme.

Jaya Guru Datta