Sri Swamiji in Trinidad
Report by Sri. H.V.Prasad
This is the 14th visit of Sri Swamiji to Trinidad. This country has a special relation with Sri Swamiji. Upon arrival at the airport, Sri Swamiji was reverentially received by the devotees singing bhajans. Sri Swamiji delivered His first speech of this tour to Trinidad at 5 a.m.! Sri Swamiji said that though the Datta Centre in Trinidad had grown in its size and activities, He was concerned at the pace of the inner growth - i.e., individual Sadhana. The audience listened to Sri Swamiji's words silently and there was an expression of introspection on their faces.
This visit had a host of activities waiting. Important among them were:
1. Celebration of 50 years of Indian Independence
2. Consecration of Dattatreya Temple in Princesstown
3. 9 day long Krishna Navaratri Celebrations
4. Installation of Shiva Linga on the banks of Aripo river
5. Consecration of Navagraha Temple in Datta Yoga Centre
6. Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on 25th August.
On 15th August, Sri Swamiji hoisted the flags of Trinidad and India to celebrated the 50th Year of Indian Independence. Later Sri Swamiji spoke about the true meaning of freedom.
On 17th August, Sri Swamiji inaugurated the Princesstown branch of Datta Yoga Centre. This is a little town situated in the southern part of the country. Sri Swamiji also consecrated a Dattatreya idol in the Datta Mandir here. A beautiful temple and a prayer hall have been constructed here by the Ramdath family and other local devotees.
In the evening, Sri Swamiji commenced the Krishna Navaratri celebrations. This 9 day long festival saw Sri Swamiji delivering discourses on important events and personalities of the great epic, Srimadbhagavata. Sri Swamiji's discourses, delivered in simple english during these nine days, attracted thousands of devotees.
The evening discourses, called as Krishna Satsangs, were broadcast live on two popular radio stations, FM 99.5 and FM 103.Their reporter, Mr.Fazal Ali got a special interview with Sri Swamiji.
On 18th August, a Shiva Lingam was consecrated on the banks of the sacred Aripo river.
Sri Swamiji consecrated the first Navagraha Temple in Trinidad on Sunday, 24th August and dedicated it to the people of Trinidad. This temple is situated in the Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima, Central Trinidad. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Swamiji explained the astrological and astronomical importance of the Navagrahas (nine planets). About four thousand people were present for the Kumbhabhisheka. Various state dignitaries and ministers also took part in the consecration ceremonies. On this occasion, 'Ramayana Saptaha', an english book containing the discourses of Sri Swamiji during the seven day long satsang in Mysore (July 1996) was released.
On 25th August, Krishnashtami was celebrated in a grand manner. On that day, the nation's premier news paper, "Trinidad Guardian" published a two page pullout on Sri Swamiji and the Datta Yoga Centre and its activities in Trinidad. In the evening, Sri Swamiji celebrated Maha Sudarshana Homa. At 8 p.m., Sri Basdeo Pandey, the honourable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago arrived with his wife to DYC to take part in the celebrations. They offered prayers at the Datta Temple and the Navagraha Temple and offered Poornahuti of Maha Sudarshana Homa. The Hon'ble Prime Minister lit the inauguration lamp of the Janmashtami Celebrations. Sri Swamiji blessed Mr.Pandey with a Navagraha pendent with appended gold necklace.
In His discourse, Sri Swamiji narrated about Sri Krishna's birth and sang various bhajans on Lord Krishna. Around midnight, the butter used for Krishna Puja was distributed to all the devotees. There was a Bharatanatyam dance programme by Aparna Kesarinath and an Odissi dance performance by Balkaran and Yavanika of Nrityanjali dance school of Trinidad.
Sri Swamiji left Trinidad for London on 27th August in the evening. He
was seen off at the airport by the members of the DYC and other dignitaries.