Pujya Sri Swamiji in Haridwar

Sri Chakra Puja was performed in the prayer hall.

At 10 AM, The inauguration of the additional ghat to the existing Datta Anagha Ghat (steps leading to the Ganga river) was inaugurated by His Holiness Swami Satyamitrananda, the founder pontiff of the well known Bharata Mata Mandir in Hardwar. Also present was Sri Ajay Vikram Singh, the cheif secretary of the Uttaranchal State. In the ensuing public function, Sri Krishan Kumar gave the welcome speech in which he outlined the difficulty and immensity of preparations for the Ganga Sannidhi Shivaratri programme. He explained how Sri.Ajay Vikram Singh, who came to Sri Swamiji as the Industries secretary of the Union Government. Later he was transferred to Uttar Pradesh and then as the first ever Chief Secretary (the highest Government official) of the new state of Uttaranchal (Haridwar and Rishikesh come in Uttaranchal state).

Balaswami honored the dignitories on the state.

Sri Ajay Vikram Singh spoke and conveyed the happiness of all those present there that Sri Swamiji had chosen Hardwar to perform and observe the Shiva Ratri festival.

Later Swami Satyamitrananda gave a eloquent speech in which he poetically praised the the activities and persona of Sri Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji spoke and said that the meeting of the two saints was long pending and it was loke Ganga and Cauvery meeting. Sri Swamiji said that it was a very special Shivaratri and those who had come for the observation of the festival were very lucky and fortunate.

At 3 PM a solemn function on the banks of Ganga took place where six persons were initiated in to Yoga Deeksha by Sri Swamiji. They were made to bathe in the river and Sri Swamiji gave Mantra Upadesham and saffron robes to them. They were also given ascetic names.
Sabha with the new Deekshis
They were:

Radha Krishna - Swami Manasa Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Bala Krishna Shastry - Swamy Pavana Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Ananta Rama Krishna - Swami Sahaja Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Dattatreya Sharma - Swami Riktada Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Ravi - Swami Gagana Ananda Datta Pada Renu
Hanumanta Rao - Swami Nivritti Ananda Datta Pada Renu

Sri Swamiji also said that Swami Datta Pada Renu of Mysore Ashrama will now be known as Swami Datta Ananda Datta Pada Renu

In a function which ensued, Prasad gave a brief introduction of all those who were given Deeksha. Sri Swamiji spoke and said that they were not Sanyasins and were just given Yoga Deeksha and that people should not trouble then with showering over-respect and expect them to give personal cousul and advice.
Swami Manasa Ananda Datta Pada Renu spoke on behalf of those taken Deeksha and re-commited them selves to Sri Swamiji's and Datta Peetham's mission.

In the evening Sri Swamiji conducted a wonderful Bhajan session. Later, Girija Kalyanam (symbolic marriage of Shiva and Parvati) was conducted.