Pujya Bala Swamiji will perform "Chaturmasya Vrata" in Mysore Ashrama
Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji will observe Chaturmasya Vrata in Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore Ashrama from Guru Purnima day onwards (7th July). Click here to download the program brochure.
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Report of 16th Annual Veda Examinations and Veda Sadas
(13 – 17 May 2009)
Avadhoota Datta Peetham, as part of its annual Veda Nidhi series of Programs, conducted the 16th Edition of Annual Veda Examinations from 13th to 17th May 2009. Examinations were conducted in all the four Vedas, in 6 Branches. The turn out of Veda examinees recorded its highest since inception. More than 121 Students were examined in annual exam category and 95 students appeared for certificate examinations. 60 meritorious students were awarded certificates in basic Moolantam category to Graduation level Kramantam to Post Graduation level of Ghanaantam.
14 erudite scholars, assisted by Ashrama Veda Teachers conducted the Veda Examinations for 5 days.
Veda Vidwat Pravardhaka Sabha
SGS Veda Sastra Parishat conducted the third annual convention of Veda Scholars. The Sadas was conducted in the traditional format, where pairs of Pundits recite Mantras, chosen from all the Vedas from morning to evening. This year, 67 scholars are honoured, on the occasion of 67th Birth Day Celebration of Pujya Swamiji.
Valedictory Function
The valedictory function was conducted on 17th May, Sunday in the august presence of Sri Swamiji and Sri Bala Swamy. His Holiness has blessed the plans to organise next year’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations of SGS Veda Pathasala (Flagship of Vedic Activities of Datta Peetham) in the year 2010.
Silver Jubilee of SGS Veda Pathasala
It is proposed to organise great sacrificial ritual such as Agnishtoma Yaaga (Soma Yaga), congregation of distinguished scholars, old teachers, alumni, awardees and all the certificate recipients from Datta Peetham; as part of the celebrations culminating in the Janmotsava of Sadguru Deva.
In addition, Silver Jubilee series of Original Veda Texts and several other “Know thy culture” series of booklets are proposed to be published, using the customised Script technology, developed by Veda Vibhaga. (Sri Swamiji has further suggested that 100 members, contributing Rs.10,000 each could support the next year’s program.)
Conclusion
It is a matter of great pride that the examination system prevalent in Datta Peetham has assumed an important slot in the field of Vedic Education. The organising team constituted by Sri Swamiji has successfully organised the program. His Holiness has blessed all the Veda Nidhi Members, Donors and Patrons, whose continuous generous support made this event a success.
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Sri Swamiji visits new Jain Temple and Kanyaka Prameshwari Temple on Asoka Road-4 May
His Holiness Sri Swamiji visited the almost completed Jain Temple on the 4th May 2009. This temple which would be consecrated on the 7th May 2009, belongs to the Shvetambar sect of the Jains. Before going there, Sri Swamiji called on Sant Sureeshvar ji at Jain Samaj and invited him to stay in Mysore Ashrama on his travel to Madurai by walk.
Later Sri Swamiji visited the annual festival at the Kanyaka Parameshwari temple and offered prayers to the sanctum of Satyanaraya Swami, Padmavathy Devi and Kanyaka Parameshwari temple. The mostly Vaishya Community audience were celebrating the festival with Dhatri Homa. Sri Swamiji later Blessed four members of the community who had offered valuable services to community.
Pujya Sri Swamiji visited this "Shri Suvidhanatha Bhagavan Shri Rajendra Shvetambara Mandir"
Sri Swamij gives awards of Arya Vaishya Mandali to : From Left: Putti Srinivas, K.Dinesh Babu and Lakshmi Dinesh. Member of the Committee Sri K.N.Gupa is to the extreme right.
Jain Swamiji, "Rahtra Sant" His Holiness Sureeshvar ji visits Datta Peetham
His Holiness Sri Sureeshvar Swamiji, a renowned Jain Swamiji from Kheda, Madhya Pradesh visited Datta Peetham on 18th April 2009. He was received by Pujya Sri Swamiji at Datta Temple. Both Their Holinesses graced the Devotees with short discourse. Later the visiting Swamiji toured Datta Peetham and rested, before walking back to his place in Mysore city. It should be mentioned here that The Jain Swamiji, like most in his clan, walk all their lives. They never board a motor vehicle. He is in Mysore to install a Jain temple on 7th May and he left Ashrama promising to come on 7th evening to halt the night in Ashrama. On 8th he would walk all the way to Madurai and reach on 15th May. Video of Jain Swamiji's speech is on Datta Peetham's Youtube channel.
Acharya Sureeshvarji Swamiji seated to the left of Sri Swamiji. Click on the image for larger image (1.7 mb)
Panaromic Photo from Shivaratri Night
This is the southern view of the Poundareeka Ranga Sthala. The extreme right is the stage where Sri Swamiji is singing Bhajans. In the far center is the Shiva Linga where the Pujas are taking place. Click on the photo for a large size image of this photo (opens in a new window). Photo Courtesy - Rajesh
10th Standard (class) students seek Blessings
On 9th March 2009, all the students of 10th standard in SGSVS (Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Vidya Samsthe) Higher Primary School took Blessings of Sri Swamiji for the upcoming 10th standard Public examinations. They later took Annadana lunch in Ashrama.
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Dalit Marriages and inauguration of temple in Gandhinagar, Dalit colony
Avadhoota Datta Peetham financially assisted reconstruction of "Doddamma Tayi Patladamma Devi" temple in Gandhi Nagar's Dalit colony. The three day inauguration rituals concluded with Purnahuti of Homas and Puja to the deity. On this auspicious occassion, 15 pairs of Dalits entered in to wedlock in the divine presence of Sri Swamiji and local leaders. The marriage costss too were sponsored by Datta Peetham. The program was held on 9th March 2009 at 11 AM
More photos can be viewed here
Sri.R.Visweswaran plays Veena for Sri Swamiji
On 7th March 2009, Sri. R.Visweswaran, noted musicologist, composer and Veena player of the legendary Mysore Bani style called on Sri Swamiji and played two compositions of his in Ragas Bindumalini and Bageshvari. Sri Swamiji appreciated the Mysore style of play and the musical dedication of this eighty year old musician of great caliber
Inauguration of Kalyana Bhavana in Mysore city
Sri Swamiji lights a lamp to inaugurate "Kalyana Bhavana" built by Brahmana Dharma Sahaya Sabha. Others seen from left are : Sri Ramdas, MLA, HH Bhashyam Swamiji of Yoga Narasimha Temple, Mysore, HH Vagisha Teertha Swamiji of Parakala Matha, Mysore, HH Viswesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejavara Matha, Udupi and legendary screen star of Karnataka, Sri. Vishnuvardhan
Legendary Kannada cinema hero, Vishnuvardhan visited Ashrama on 5th March 2009 and sought Blessings. He recalled his frequent visits to Ashrama in the seventies.
Chief Minister of Karnataka inaugurates "Ra Ma Shankara Kutira" in Mysore Ashrama
Shri.B.S.Yedyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, visited Avadhoota Datta Peetham on 4th March 2009 and inaugurated the newly built
Kitchen Complex, "Ra Ma Shankara Kutira". He was accompanied by Smt.Shobha Karandlaje, Mysore district in charge Minister , Sri. Vijay Shankar, MP and Sri. Ramadas, MLA.
Shri.B.S.Yedyurappa performing Arati to Annapurna Devi and Mata Jayalakshmi inside the kitchen.
Later, the Chief Minister and his colleagues had dinner in the new dining hall.
Front view of the Newly built Ra Ma Shankara Kuteera - Kitchen and Dormitory complex
18 Feet tall monolith Datta statue placed in Ganagapura Ashrama
On 12th February 2009 the tall stone Datta statue was hoisted above the Dattatreya temple under construction in Ganagapura Ashrama. The idol was previously standing in Mysore Ashrama near the main entrance ( near the inner Ashrama road to Sri Datta Venkateswara temple). Pujya Bala Swamiji presided over the installation program and placed a copper Yantra under the statue. This tall idol will reflect as the temple tower instead of the regular Gopuram design of a traditional temple tower.
Brahmotsavam in Dharmavaram Ashrama
Pujya Bala Swamiji conducted Brahmotsavam of the Venkateswara Temple in Dharmavaram Ashrama on 6th February 2009
New Post Office in Jayalakshmipuram inaugurated
Pujya Bala Swamiji inaugurated a new Sub Post Office in Jayalakshmipuram on 5th February 2009 . Sri Sudhakar, Post Master General was present on this occasion.
Rousing Reception for Sri Swamiji's arrival from 100th foreign Tour
Mysore Ashrama accorded a rousing reception to Pujya Sri Swamiji on 27th January 2007. Sri Swamiji was returning from His 100th foreign tour. This historic tour enshrined Sri Swamiji's music in the Esplanade concert Hall, the iconic concert hall in Singapore. Pujya Bala Swamiji, Sri Audikeshavulu, Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Temples and devotees accorded a warm and reverential welcome to Sri Swamiji. In the evening, a program was held in Prayer hall. Swami Manasa Datta explained about Sri Swamiji's foreign tours and their effect of Sri Swamiji on the people there.
Sri.R.Venkatraman, former President of India and Chairman of Ashrama celebrations committee expired today. In his memory, a three minute silence was observed. Sri Swamiji in his speech paid glowing tributes to Sri.R.Venkatraman's personality.
Sri Swamiji spoke about Singapore concert and said that this visit was historic in more than one way. It also projected Sri Swamiji's musical personality and the cultural side of Sri Swamiji.
Sri Bala Swamiji climbs 3600 steps to reach Tirumala
Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (Bala Swamiji) on 7th january 2009 observed Vaikuntha Ekadashi in Mysore Ashrama.
The next day, on 8th January, Sri Bala Swamiji left from Mysore to Tirupati to have the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. At 4 pm in the evening He started the journey of climbing the Tirumala hill from Alipiri with a troupe of nearly 70 devotees. During the journey, Sri Bala Swamiji had the darshan of all the temples that came in the way. While climbing, Sri Swamiji chanted the Nama Smarana of Lord Venkateshwara all along. After a five hour journey, He reached Tirumala and gave 15 minutes discourse to the devotees in the Asthana Mantapam. Later, Sri Bala Swamiji had the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. All the devotees also had the darshan. It was a divine experience to all the devotees.