Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji arrived in Hyderabad on October 12, 2004 in the afternoon amidst great spiritual fervor and anxiety of performing the Devi Navaratri celebrations. For devotees, Devi Navaratri celebrations hold great moments of spiritual energy transmission. Watching Sri Swamiji perform the devotional worship of Mother Goddess Bhagavati Sri Raja Rajeshwari from morning till evening, a whopping eight to ten hours a day for ten days is a special Blessing to all.

Traditionally, Navaratri has been performed only in Mysore for reasons of sanctity, ease of arrangements etc., But on two occasion earlier, Navaratri has been held in Vijayawada and this year in Hyderabad for the first time.

The Hyderabad Ashrama had received a face lift in preparations in anticipation of this great occasion. The entire Ashrama wore a grand festive look.

Sri Swamiji and Bala Swamiji jointly traveled for the first time together (after the Sannyasa Deeksha) on 12th October 2004 at 12 noon. They boarded the special flight from Mysore to Hyderabad. The plane arrived in Dindigul air force academy airport near Hyderabad at 3.15 PM. Bala Swamiji continued the journey to Vijayawada. As per Sri Swamiji’s command, Vijayawada was to be the first place of visit for Him. He was accorded a grand reception in the Ashrama in the evening.

Sri Swamiji arrived in Hyderabad and was received by the committee members and thousands of devotees were present on the occasion. In the late afternoon, Sri Swamiji visited Amma Vodi site and was extremely please with the speed at which the construction had been completed.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji inaugurated the Ramineni Foundation’s award giving ceremony in the conference hall of Viceroy hotel. The foundation gave cash awards to 40 students from poor villages of Guntur district. Former Chief Minister, Sri. N. Chandra Babu Naidu and Former Karnataka Governor Smt. Ramadevi participated. Sri Swamiji Blessed the children and urged philanthropists to recognize and support children from rural areas which would boost their moral strength.

13th October 2004 – Wednesday
In the morning, Sri Swamiji participated in the Jayalakshmi Matru Mandali’s program. At noon, Sri Swamiji arrived in the Amma vodi building and offered Purnahuti to the Griha Pravesha ritual Homa. Sri Swamiji accepted Bhiksha (food) in the second floor of the building.

In the evening, Swagata Sabha (welcome function) was held in the Ashrama. Bhajan group led by Mr. Kittu sang compositions of Smt. Aruna Devi and Sri Kuppa Krishna Murthy. The latter’s song espoused the joint visit of Sri Swamiji and Sri Bala Swami together to Hyderabad. As the song concluded, Bala Swamiji arrived from Vijayawada. It was a emotional reception. For the first time ever, Sri Swamiji and His successor were together to participate in a major festival outside Mysore. Hyderabad bagged the unique distinction.