Report by H.V.Prasad
A brief report
As in previous years, Sharannavaratri was celebrated in a grand manner in Avadhoota Datta Peetham. In addition to the unique Navaavarana method of worship and scintillating bhajans and thought provoking discourses, several concerts by reputed musicians were held. The celebrations also saw release of books, audio and video cassettes and compact discs.
2-10-97
The chief deity of the day was Gowri. The musicians who performed today were Hyderabad Sisters (Vocal concert) and Dr.Padma Murthy (Vocal). A Video Cassette containing the live concert by Sri Swamiji in Bombay in November 1996 was released. A book containing an elaborate Telugu commentary by Sri Chandrashekhara Sharma on a composition by Sri Swamiji's called Devi Navaka was released. Another book containing discourses given by Sri Swamiji in 1982, during His visit to Kashmir was also released.
3-10-97
Sri Swamiji worshipped the mother goddess as Raja Rajeshwari. Music sevas were rendered by Sri Santana Gopalan (vocal) in the morning and Dr.L.Subrahmanyam (violin) in the afternoon. In the evening Bhajan session, Sri Swamiji spoke about the significance of Hayagreeva incarnation.
4-10-97
The chief deity of the day was Durgi Lakshmi. Music sevas were rendered by GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi (violin duet) in the morning and Smt.Ramamani (vocal) in the afternoon. In the bhajan session in the evening, Sri.KVRK Prasad, a renowned Mridanga player provided accompaniment to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji blessed him with a golden bracelet. In His speech Sri Swamiji explained about the greatness of mother goddess and said that only Yogis could have her darshan.
5-10-97
Chief deity : Meenakshi. Music concerts by Rudrapatnam Brothers (vocal) in the morning and Smt.Anuradha Madhusoodan (veena) in the afternoon. In the evening Sri Swamiji sang the Meenakshi Stava, a composition by Shankaracharya.
6-10-97
Sri Swamiji worshipped the mother goddess as Parashakti. Music sevas were rendered by Smt.Ashwini Bide (hindustani vocal) in the morning and Smt.M.S.Sheela in the afternoon. In the evening an audio cassette named 'Ganapati' , containing bhajans on Lord Ganapati, composed and rendered by Sri Swamiji was released.
7-10-97
The chief deity of the day was Vishalakshi. Music concerts : Sri Ashoka Ramani (vocal) in the morning and Sri.V.K.Raman (flute) in the afternoon. Sri Vishwanatha Gopala Shastry, a scholar from Andhra Pradesh delivered a discourse on the concept of Devi.
8-10-97
Sri Swamiji worshipped the mother goddess as Saraswati. In the evening Sri Swamiji sang several compositions dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Smt.Gayatri (veena) rendered music seva in the morning while there was a vocal duet by Dr.Nagaraj and Sri Padmanabha in the afternoon.
9-10-97
The chief deity of the day was Chandi. In the evening Sri Swamiji sang several bhajans on Durgi and explained the significance of the Ashta Matrikas (eight forms of goddesses). The first ever VCD (video compact disc) of Sri Swamiji containing the Bombay concert was released. Pandit Vishwa Mohana Bhat (Guitar) rendered music seva in the morning while Smt.Sheshulata Vishwanath rendered vocal concert in the afternoon.
10-10-97
On the occasion of Maha Navami today, Sri Swamiji blessed hundreds of motor vehicles in accordance with the age old tradition. Sri Swamiji performed Chandi Homa in the morning even before commencing the routine Navaavarana Pooja. In the evening Sri Swamiji materialised several gem stones from a lotus flower and offered them to the mother goddess. In addition to this, Sri Swamiji also worshipped the Devi with 108 gold flowers. There was a wonderful flute concert by Pandit Hari Prasad Chourasia in the morning and vocal duet by Malladi Brothers in the afternoon.
11-10-97
Vijaya Dashami. Sri Swamiji performed the concluding ceremonies of Navaratri. Today Sri Swamiji sang many bhajans and explained about the method of overcoming Moha (infatuation). In the morning, Sri Sairigapu Ramamurthy, a scholar from Andhra Pradesh sang the Sundara Kanda from the Ramayana. In the afternoon, a book named 'Chants on Kriya Yoga' , an english translation of Sri Swamiji's compositions on Yoga was released.
12-10-97
Shanti Homa was performed today. In the afternoon Sri Swamiji performed
Tailabhisheka to Lord Dattatreya. In His discourse, Sri Swamiji spoke about
the relation between the Guru and the disciple. Later, the devotees performed
Abhisheka to Sri Swamiji with flowers. With this, the Navaratri celebrations
concluded.