Ganga Sannidhi Shivaratri with
Parama Pujya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji
at Haridwar (19 - 22 Feb. 2001)Blessed fellow Devotee Participants,
As you know, it is the divine Sankalpa of our revered Gurudev Pujya Sri Swamiji to conduct Shivarathri Pooja Celebrations for the year 2001 at Haridwar (Uttar Pradesh) - the base of the Himalayas. You also know that Pujya Swamiji's ways are absolutely mystic and beyond anyone's comprehension or any rational analysis. In fact, this is the way in which an Avadhoota moves around and operates in the world.
All those who have the blessed fortune to be associated with Pujya Sri Swamiji and His Mysore Ashrama activities would appreciate, that ever since the establishment of the Ashrama in 1966, Pujya Sri Swamiji, year after year, has been performing the grand Shivarathri Pooja celebrations only at the Mysore Ashrama. We also know that every year, thousands and thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad are magnetically attracted to the Ashrama to witness the Shivarathri celebrations. They are particularly drawn to have the divine darshan of Pujya Sri Swamiji in the Homakunda (fire pit) when He worships Agnideva (Fire God) engulfed by the fire flames all around Him. There is hardly any devotee who has not been totally overwhelmed and spiritually elevated while witnessing Sri Swamiji performing the stated Agni Pooja.
Why is it that our Gurudeva has chosen Haridwar- at the banks of Ganges, to conduct the Holy Shivarathri Pooja this year? When all the infrastructure in terms of organization, accommodation, and a wide network of essential services are very much there in the Mysore Ashrama, why Pujya Sri Swamiji is taking so many devotees to Haridwar a far off place, about 2700 KM away from Mysore Ashrama? There must be some reason for all this! Though we cannot understand it rationally, one thing is very very sure - that like all spiritual events which are astral and mystic, this event will also be laden with great spiritual value for all those who happen to be participants in it. To be in the holy company of Pujya Sri Swamiji, and that too, on the holy banks of Ganga, and above all, on an occasion no less than that of Maha Shivarathri -- what more a devotee would ask for!
Sanctity of Haridwar :
Hardwar or Haridwar is one of the holiest places for Hindus in India. The name Hardwar /Haridwar itself means "the gateway to the abode of Hara (Shiva) and Hari (Vishnu)". It is significant that all pilgrims who have to go to Sri Kedaranath and Sri Badarinath - the holy shrines of Hara and Hari, have to pass through Haridwar. It is for this reason that the sacred city is named as Hardwar/Haridwar. The legend is also this that many many years ago it was called Kapilsthan after the great sage Kapil who lived and meditated here.
Haridwar is the home of Ashrams and Dharmasalas which have been established by Sadhus / saints and religious institutions. It is a city of great religious significance and everyday large number of pilgrims arrive here to have dip in the holy ganges and to participate in religious activities. Legend has it that the Yakshas and the Davas had the great Darshan of Lord Vishnu here. Every 12 years the Kumbha Mela and after 6 years the Arth Kumbha Mela (half Kumbh) are held here and lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims from all over India throng the ghats of Ganga for the holy dip.
Here at Haridwar, the mighty Ganga hurries down from the hills to the luxuriant ridges of the Himalayas. The Ganga is worshipped as the "Holy Mother" and is believed to be the cleanser of all sins. From early morning to late at night, innumerable pilgrims take the holy dip, worship the sacred Ganga and perform pooja. Each evening hundreds of devotees attend the grand Arti at Har-ki-pauri. One undergoes a great charged emotional experience as the pilgrims gather together in an air of reverence and devotion, on the floodlit ghats of the Ganga, to offer their prayers to the Supreme Being. This ghat, Har-ki-pauri is named after the footprints of Hari (Vishnu) impressed on a stone set into the upper wall of the ghat.
The temples of the Ganga, Shankaracharya, Nava Graha and the Baraha Khamba are near Har-Ki-Pauri. Other temples which have legendary importance are Shrawan Nath, Maya Devi, Chandi Devi, Manasa Devi is atop a hill in picturesque surroundings.
Some Places Worth visiting:
1. Brahma Kund - a place where the celestial waters of the Ganga are said to flow, and religious minded Hindus gather from all parts of India and from abroad to have a dip in it to free themselves from the bondage of the world.
2. Sapta Sarovar (Sapta Rishi Ashrama) : 4 kms towards the north from Harki Pairi, this campus is dedicated to the seven rishs of the Hindu mythology.
3. Manasa Devi & Chandi Devi : The temples are situated at the top of the hills covering both sides of the city.
4. Daksheswara Mahadeva : The old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the bank of Ganges, where the sacred waters of the River seem to touch the feet of the God. The temple is said to have been erected in commemoration of Lord Shiva, coming down from Kailash for the help of Goddess Sati - when Sati burned herself in the fires of the Yagna of Daksha. Lord Shiva was prayed and worshipped here by the Gods to save the life of Daksha.
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