His Holiness Sri Shiva Chidananda Swamigal of Sri Siddheshwari Peetham, Kurtalam, Tamil Nadu lighted the lamp to mark the inauguration of the week-long birthday celebrations.
The 55th birthday celebrations of His Holiness Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji started here today. His Holiness Sri Shiva Chidananda Swamigal of Sri Siddheshwari Peetham, Kurtalam, Tamil Nadu lighted the lamp to mark the inauguration of the week-long birthday celebrations. His Highness Sri Raja Martanda Varma of Thiruvanantapuram and Hon'ble Justice Sri Motilal V.Nayak, Chief Justice, High Court of A.P. were the chief guests.
The four day Veda Examinations concluded today with a veda conference. Students from the ashrama veda school are seen here reciting the vedas.
The highlight of the function was the awarding of merit certificates and
cash awards to the successful students who had appeared for the annual national
level Veda Examinations conducted by the Peetham in three Vedas (Rigveda,
Yajurveda and Samaveda). Reputed vedic scholars from various states who had
come as examiners were also honored by the Peetham. Datta Peetham is one
of the few institutions where Veda examinations are conducted according to
the ancient tradition.
In His inaugural address, Sri Shiva Chidananda Bharati Swamigal stressed
the importance of preserving and propagating the Vedas and said that it was
the most righteous act. He complimented Datta Peetham which, under the divine
patronage of Poojya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji had undertaken the
noble work of promoting vedic learning. He narrated the various similarities
between His predecessor popularly called as 'Mouni Swami' of Kurtalam and
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. He also pointed out that the presiding
deities of both the Peethams was Lord Dattatreya. He recalled the instances
when His Guru cured many devotees of their ailment and correlated it to the
healing powers of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.
His Highness Raja Martanda Varma said that the gathering looked like a convocation of a University albeit, a unique university, where the ancient knowledge was being taught.
Justice Sri Motilal Nayak, who also spoke on the occasion commended the efforts of great saints of our times and said that it was on account of their righteous attitude and practice that peace still prevailed in the present society which is increasingly being plagued by narrow-mindedness.
As part of the celebrations a four day volunteer training camp began today.
A section of the participants are seen here.
Earlier, Mr.Justice Nayak released book "Number magic-Mental logic" containing the peculiar behaviour of numbers from 4 to 9. Sri V.Seetaramaiah, the author of the book was felicitated by Datta Peetha. Delivering the benedictory address, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji explained about the true significance of birthday of a Guru and said that it was in fact the birthday of the disciple. "It is the day when the disciple recognises and identifies his Guru and thus it is the day when he actually awakens. In this sense, it is the birthday of the disciple. In fact, the Guru is never born nor does he die" said Sri Swamiji.
Dr.A.N.Swarna Prasad Editor Bhakti Mala Avadhoota Datta Peetham