Saturday, February 26 (evening)

MAHA SHIVARATRI NIGHT

Click here to listen to the new Bhajan of Shivaratri 2006 - Nada Lola Hrudaya
Text: Kannada - Telugu - Hindi - English

Pujya Sri Swamiji performing Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeshvara Shiva Lingam

KSHEERENA SNAPAYAAMI - Bathing with milk - the ever sacred black cow milk rushes on the the Shiva Lingam and the new Golden Shiva

SHAKRENA SNAPAYAAMI - Offering of Cane Sugar

Sri Swamiji decorates sandal paste on the Shiva Lingam

Sri Swamiji observes Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (Bala Swamiji) pouring water as Abhshekam

Musical giants offer Sangeetha Seva on Maha Shivaratri night. For over three hours, the Malladi Brothers, Sri. Sri Rama Prasad and Sri Ravi Kumar offered Carnatic vocal duet concert. Most revered Mrudangam artist in India, Sri Umayalapuram Sivaraman played on Mrudangam, Sri V. Suresh on Ghatam, Sri Srisundar Kumar on Kanjira and Mysore's musical gem - Sri M. Nagaraj on Violin - accompanied. The concert was of very high quality. The Tani Avarathanam by the percussionists was one of the best ever in Mysore Ashrama's concert history.

Sri Swamiji is in Nada Loka - listening to the Tani Avarthanam

Shiva devotees get the sacred and once a year opportunity to personally perform Abhishekam to the Sachchidanandeshvara Shiva Lingam

The second concert in the evening was a rythm ensemble called - LAYA MADHURA - created by Mrudangam Maestro Sri Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam (extereme left on Mrudangam). Others accompanied were Sri N. Amrit on Kanjira, Sri E.M. Marriappan on Nada Swara, Tiruvarur Sri Swaminathan on Flute, Sri M.R . Gopinath on Violin, Srirangam Sri Kannan on Morsing, Sri K.R. Venkat Subramanyam on Tabla and Sri V. Suresh on Ghatam. They played several Bhajans which the group has recorded on the recently released album - "Laya Madhura".

The Shivalingam was beautifully decorated in 11 different docorations. The Sandal paste decoration requires one big bucket full of sandal paste

EKA BILVAM SHIVARPANAM - Bilva leaf, dear to Lord Shiva, is offered during Sahasranama Puja (chant of 1008 names of Lord Shiva)

Pujya Sri Swamiji sings Shiva Bhajans. The green statue behind Sri Swamiji is the Marakata Karya Siddhi Hanuman idol which will be installed in Hyderabad Ashrama on 6th April 2006

Thousands of devotees witnessed the 12 hour long Shivaratri Pujas, Music, Bhajans, lectures. From 6 PM of 26th till 6 AM of 27th

The grand view of the stage from the back of the auditorium

Sri Swamiji releases the Datta Peetham almanac (Panchagam) 2006-2008 - compiled by Sri Kuppa Anjaneya Shastry of Hyderabad.

Om Namah Shivaaya - Maha Mangalarati to the Sachchidanandeshvara Shiva Lingam at 5.15 AM on 27th morning.

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