(report by Sri H.V.Prasad)

Sri Swamiji in Rishikesh
Pujya Sri Swamiji left Mysore for Bangalore on the morning of Feb 16th. After two house visits in Bangalore, Sri Swamiji left for New Delhi the same evening. On 17th, Sri Swamiji left for Rishikesh by road. Sri Swamiji was given a grand welcome by over 300 devotees at the Rishikesh Ashrama at 7 PM. Sri Swamiji inaugurated the new building complex meant for the staff of Ashrama.

On 18th morning at 9 AM, Sri Swamiji performed Yantra Patisthapana for the DIGAMBARA DATTA temple. This temple was consecrated in 1989. Twelve years after the consecration, this temple has been re-consecrated (re-installed)

19 Feb 2001
Pujya Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in Rishikesh Ashrama at 10 AM. Later, Sri Swamiji sprinkled holy water of river Ganges on all the devotees.
At 12 noon, Sri Swamiji left Rishikesh for Haridwar and arrived in Haridwar to a grand welcome by devotees chanting "Jaya Guru Datta Sri Guru Datta". Sri Swamiji went around the Ashrama which wore a festive look with a lot of decorations and a huge pendal (temporary shed) to be used as prayer hall. The Ganga river flows to the west of Ashrama from north to south and forms a natural boundary. Previously only 20 feet of the 190 feet riverside was laid with steps (called as Ghat). Recently the other portion also was cleaned and steps laid, to be used by bathing pilgrims. The deep azure blue colored water of Ganges beckons all devotees to have a holy dip in the sacred river.

At 5 PM, a welcome reception was arranged for Sri Swamiji. A huge colorful pendal (tent) has been erected in the Ashrama on the banks of the Ganges, which can accommodate more than 2000 people. Prof. Krishan Kumar welcomed Sri Swamiji and the gathering. He mentioned that the gathering was very fortunate to be present in between Ganga and Shiva. (Sri Swamiji)

Pujya Sri Swamiji in His benedictory address said that He was very happy to celebrate Shivaratri on the banks of the Ganges and that He was feeling all these as a dream. He also said that it was the deep devotion and faith of the devotees that had brought Sri Swamiji to Haridwar.

Later, Sri Swamiji released the video and audiocassettes of the discourses on "Shiva Kathamrita", a wonderful lecture by Sri Swamiji on Dwadasha Jyotirlingas held in Mysore Ashrama during December 2000. A book containing the text of the discourse was also released.

Later, Prof. Krishan Kumar offered to Sri Swamiji, a saffron woolen cap with "SGS" embroidery in the front, Sri Swamiji distributed the SGS woolen caps to all the devotees.

20 February
Sri Chakra Puja was performed in the prayer hall.

At 10 AM, The inauguration of the additional ghat to the existing Datta Anagha Ghat (steps leading to the Ganga river) was inaugurated by His Holiness Swami Satyamitrananda, the founder pontiff of the well-known Bharata Mata Mandir in Hardwar. Also present was Sri Ajay Vikram Singh, the Chief Secretary of the state of Uttaranchal. In the ensuing public function, Sri Krishan Kumar gave the welcome speech in which he outlined the difficulty and immensity of preparations for the Ganga Sannidhi Shivaratri programme. He explained how Sri.Ajay Vikram Singh, who came to Sri Swamiji as the Industries secretary of the Union Government, was later transferred to Uttar Pradesh and then as the first ever Chief Secretary (the highest Government official) of the new state of Uttaranchal (Haridwar and Rishikesh come in Uttaranchal state).

Sri Bala Swami honored the dignitaries on the stage.

Sri Ajay Vikram Singh spoke and conveyed happiness that Sri Swamiji had chosen Haridwar to perform and observe the Shivaratri festival.

Later Swami Satyamitrananda gave an eloquent speech in which he poetically praised the activities and persona of Sri Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji spoke and said that the meeting of the two saints was long pending and it was like Ganga and Cauvery meeting. Sri Swamiji said that it was a very special Shivaratri and those who had come for the observation of the festival were very lucky and fortunate.

At 3 PM a solemn function on the banks of Ganga took place where six persons were initiated in to Yoga Deeksha by Sri Swamiji. They were made to bathe in the river and Sri Swamiji gave Mantra Upadesham and saffron robes to them. They were also given ascetic names with the new Deekshas
They were:
Radha Krishna - Swami Manasa Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Bala Krishna Shastry - Swamy Pavana Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Ananta Rama Krishna - Swami Sahaja Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Dattatreya Sharma - Swami Riktada Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Ravi - Swami Gagana Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Hanumanta Rao - Swami Nivritti Ananda Datta Pada Renu

Sri Swamiji also said that Swami Datta Pada Renu of Mysore Ashrama would now be known as Swami Datta Ananda Datta Pada Renu.

In a function which ensued, Prasad gave a brief introduction of all those who were given Deeksha. Sri Swamiji spoke and said that they were not Sanyasins and were just given Yoga Deeksha and that people should not trouble then with showering over-respect and expect them to give personal counsel and advice.
Swami Manasa Ananda Datta Pada Renu spoke on behalf of those taken Deeksha and re-committed themselves to Sri Swamiji's and Datta Peetham's mission.
In the evening Sri Swamiji conducted a wonderful Bhajan session. Later, Girija Kalyanam (symbolic marriage of Shiva and Parvati) was conducted.

Shivaratri Day – 21-02-2001
The Maha Shivaratri day got off to a wonderful start at 9 AM. Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived to the Ganga River and ascended the specially constructed wooden platform on the river on which the arrangements for the Sri Chakra Puja had been prepared. Thousands of devotees watched with spiritual fervor, Sri Swamiji performing Sri Chakra Puja on the sacred river Ganga. Slowly Sri Swamiji went about this daily ritual as the sounds of River Ganga's gentle flow matched the tempo of frenzied chants of Om Namah Shivaya by the devotees. It was a rare occasion to watch the river enveloping Sri Swamiji during Sri Chakra Puja.

After the Puja, Sri Swamiji addressed the gathering thus.

SHIVARATRI MESSAGE OF PARAMA PUJYA SRI SWAMIJI

Sri Ganeshaya Namaha, Sri Saraswatyai Namaha, Sri Pada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati, OM AIM HREEM SHREEM OM NAMAH SHIVAYA (11 times). Place your right palm on your head. Chant "OM AIM HREEM SHREEM NAMAH SHIVAYA (3 times) Now remove your palm and make your thumb touch its little finger. Close your eyes. Now place your palm against the sun and make some rays escape through the slits between the fingers and let it fall on your face. Now close your eyes again. Chant again "Om Aim Hreem Shreem Namah Shivaya (2 times). Now place the palm on your forehead and slowly press against the forehead. Chant Om Aim Hreem Shreem Namah Shivaya (2 times). Remove the palm. Chant:

Oshadhi Shanti, Aakaasha Shanti, Samudra Shanti, Chandra Shanti, Nakshatra Shanti, Jeeva Shanti, Prana Shanti, Shareera Shanti, Vidya Shanti, JnanaShanti
Remember your Guru and think of His name and the Mantra he gave you. Pray for the peace of the world. Let peace prevail. Pray for protection and peace. Now make a determination that all the merits of our rituals and Japa today should go to those who suffered in the earthquake. Let all the energies present here go there. Let 50 percent of the merits of My Puja today go to those who suffered. Om Aim Hreem Shreem Namah Shivaaya (2 times)

We all are really fortunate today. Lucky and lot of grace. There are billions of people in the world. You are the chosen few to be here today. You have been selected by Swamiji. You all are angels. May your families have luck, health, fortune and lots of Guru Bhakti to serve their Sadguru. My special Grace and special Blessings to you all. You and your family will get special angel Loka and Shiva Saayujya. It is a special heaven . Definitely you will get that special heaven. My Blessings to you. No doubt. All sins committed till today are forgiven by me. Be careful from now on. Do as much humanity service and Sadguru service. May all your past sins get washed off in Ganga. Like they were burnt by fire in the last years, may they go to Ganga River this time.
Today the world looks to be in a great turmoil. We find variations in the solar and lunar systems. We are mere human beings in the vast creations. We are so small. We cannot bear cold or heat. We are like micro bacteria in his creation. May he give us strength. In the coming year we may have several natural calamities. But nothing to worry. We will have good crop yields. The animal livestock may suffer. In spite of the wealth, the luck eludes us. In spite of good rains and good crop, we are some how sustaining. A new strain of disease may start. Proper discipline in eating and food control should keep us healthy. Avoid uncooked food and take cooked food. The mineral stock's value will take a beating. This includes gold and diamond. Also the metal ores that are mined may be of inferior quality. The political sphere will be as usual, unsettled . Use only boiled water.

The share market and the economy will be good for six months from March. This seems to be a good year. For lenders the year will be 80 % okay. For those in the spiritual path, it will be a difficult year with many obstacles. Education will suffer in March and April because of faulty policies of the government. On the Mars and Venus planets, January 2002 may bring bad news.

Eye problems will be aplenty. Chant Aditya Hridaya for protection. We shall pray and worship a special Shiva Lingam which has a emerald base. All these years you enjoyed Swamiji's Agni Puja during Shivaratri. But in this year Shivaratri, you can all now watch Swamiji bathing in Ganga river.

Saying so, Sri Swamiji took bath in the river and then sprinkled water and gave Ganga stone to a select few. Then Sri Swamiji arrived in the Yaga Shala, where Ati Rudra Homa was being performed for the past three hours. There Sri Swamiji installed a new Shiva Lingam and called it as "Sahasra Lingam Shiva Lingam" as the stone idol has thousands of small Shiva Lingas on its body. After the installation, Sri Swamiji offered Purnahuti of Ati Rudra Homa.

Arriving on the main stage at 11.50 AM, Sri Swamiji performed Puja to another New Shiva Lingam which was in a unique form and is like a jam of dry fruits. It has a base made in emerald stone. Swamiji then Blessed all the Seva Kartas.
At 3.30 PM in the afternoon devotees started to perform Abhishekam to the Sahasra Lingam Shiva Lingam Sri Swamiji came there at 4.30 PM and performed Pancha Amrita Abhishekam (Milk, Yogurt, Ghee, Honey and Sugar) and with other materials. All the devotees watched the beautiful event with bated breath.

At 6.30 PM, Sri Swamiji arrived for Bhajans. Sri Swamiji released a five-year Indian almanac (Panchanga) from Year 2001 - 2006. Sri Prasad explained its importance. Sri Kuppa Anjaneya Shastry, the author of this almanac was felicitated on the occasion Then A German language book containing Speeches of Sri Swamiji, translated by Pingala was also released. Then Sri. Prasad thanked all those involved in organizing the festival and they were all given mementos.

This followed a discourse by Bala Swami (Harsha) on the story of Ganga River’s history, the importance of Shivaratri and the sacredness of the city of Haridwar. Sri Swami Manasa Ananda (Formerly Radha Krishna or Radhanna) translated the same in to English. Over 200 foreigners who had come to the function were delighted to hear this. Sri Swamiji sang three new Bhajans (Two on Lord Shiva and one on Ganga Mata).
In the end Sri Swamiji sang a Marathi Abhang, Bhajan- Shankaram Shankaram and the Mangalam - Om Mangalam Omkara Mangalam.

Sri. Joshi, the District Magistrate of Haridwar proposed vote of thanks and profusely thanked Sri Swamiji for choosing Haridwar for Shivaratri celebrations the way it was etched in the hearts of those who attended the stupendous event. Antje Fritz of Germany Datta Yoga Center thanked on behalf of the foreign devotees.

The programmes concluded at 9.20 PM. Sri Swamiji left for Delhi on 23rd.

On 25th February, a simple function was held in A.P.Bhawan in New Delhi in which Sri Swamiji donated a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- towards relief work in the earthquake-hit Gujarat. Sri Swamiji handed over the cheque to Sri R.Venkataraman, the former President of India.

Sri Swamiji left Delhi on 26th and reached Mysore the same evening.
As in previous years, a special music festival was celebrated in memory of Venkatamakhi and Saint Tyagaraja on 3-3-2001 in Nada Mantapam, in which over 100 musicians sang the Pancharatna compositions of Tyagaraja.

On 4-3-2001, Shivaratri was symbolically observed in Mysore Ashrama. Devotees performed Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeshwara Shivalingam. Rudra Homa was also performed.

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