Ganapathy Festival
Sunday 27 August 2006-Vijayawada
 
GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA
 
Ganapathy Festival - Celebrating  the birth of the most adorable God in the Hindu pantheon - Ganapathy. He is worshipped not only in India but in Many south Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal etc., Ganapathy is worshipped for removal of obstacles for which He is adorably called Vighna Nivaraka. Sri Swamiji’s name starts with Ganapathy. So for devotees of Sri Swamiji, Maha Ganapathy is very important. Sri Swamiji installed Ganapathy idol in Vijayawada Ashrama in 1981. The idol is called as Kshipra Ganapathy - Ganapathy who gives you  quickly. It is said that on Ganapathy festival day, Sri Swamiji’s image is visible on the trunk portion of the idol. But this year, Sri Swamiji was physically and personally present for devotees to celebrate the festival. The day started at 7 AM with the commencement of 1008 Modaka (favorite sweet of Ganapathy) Ganapathy Homa. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja and Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Vratha was conducted for all devotees. In the discourse, Sri Swamiji mentioned the amenable qualities of Maha Ganapathy and exhorted devotees to feel compassion. Sri Swamiji gave a scintillating and rattling fast paced Telugu speech for almost 30 minutes.
It was followed by gifting of a van to Nittila Satrughna Rao and his son Ramesh who as a hree member trouple along with his mother conduct Burrakatha  - a folk type story telling. They go village to village telling Burrakatha on Sri Swamiji’s life story and Datta Charitra.
Sri Swamiji offered Maha Purnahuti of Sahasra Modaka Gana Homa.
From 11 AM onwards, Sri Swamiji came to Kshipra Ganapathy temple and conducted Milk Abhisheka to the Lord.
In the evening Sri Swamiji sang many Bhajans requested by devotees. Sri Swamiji also sang two compositions of Mata Jayalakshm on Ganapathy and Krishna. A cake was cut to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the beloved Kshipra Ganapthy temple in Ashrama.
 
 
Sahasra Modaka Gana Homa
Sri Chakra Puja
Datta Peetha Danda
Puja
Prayer
Ganapathy made of Grain flour
Gift of Van to folk artists - Burrakatha
Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Vrata
Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Vrata
Sri Swamiji feeds twisted grass garland to fire
 
Purnahuti of Sahasra Modaka Gana Homa
Milk Abhisheka to Kshipra Ganapathy Swamy
Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Ksheera Abhisheka
Sri Bala Swamiji speaks to kitchen volunteers
The food being prepared in Kitchen
Annadana
Evening Bhajans - mammoth audience
People queuing for Ganapathy Darshana
Bhajans in the evening
Sri Swamiji plays with a Ganapathy character
Sri Swamiji receives Chamundi Prasada
Bala Swamiji - Night Ganapathy Arati
The Kshipra Maha Ganapathy