Sri Swamiji inaugurates Guru Nilaya in Cochin Ashrama
On Saturday, 21st April Sri Swamiji arrived in Cochin Ashrama and inaugurated
the newly constructed Guru Nilayam, which was offered by Sri. Padmanabhan
and Dr. Vijaya. Arriving in the Ashrama at 10 AM, Sri Swamiji was received
in the picturesque Alwaye Ashrama by all the Trustees and devotees. Sri
Swamiji first visited the shrine of Sidhdha Raja Nama Dattatreya and had
Darshan. There after Sri Swamiji was led to the place where the new addition
of Cochin Ashrama stood. It was a beautifully built Guru Nilayam. Standing
next to the mighty Periyar River, the Guru Nilayam looked divine. Sri
Swamiji unveiled the inaugural plaque, untied the ribbon and entered the
premises. The traditional spilling of the milk by over boiling it was
done and Sri Swamiji poured sugar in it and then offered a spoon to those
who were there. Then Sri Swamiji was taken to the prayer hall, which was
extensively renovated and expanded and decorated with photos and pictures
of various deities. Addressing the gathering Sri Swamiji remembered story
of the development of Cochin Ashrama and Blessed that devotees too should
develop in their Sadhana likewise. Then, Sri Swamiji went to the Yaga
Shala of the newly constructed Nava Graha Temple and witnessed the Purnahuti
there.
In
the evening, there was a civic reception and the members of the local
Panchayat offered welcome to Sri Swamiji and commenced an Annadana program
in Cochin Ashrama. Sri Swamiji blessed various functionaries of the Ashrama
and was pleased with the free hospitals run in the Ashrama. Cochin is
the only Ashrama, which runs both Allopathic and Ayurvedic hospitals,
free of cost. Thousands get benefited there. Sri Swamiji praised the services
of Dr. Vijaya Padmanabhan and Sri. Vaidyar, who spearhead the medical
projects. Sri Swamiji continued to say that it is such charitable projects
of Ashrama, which bring Swamiji to Cochin again and again. Sri Swamiji
also said that the activities of Cochin Ashrama were to be emulated by
other Ashramas where more emphasis on social projects needs to be given.
Sri Swamiji thereafter released two books. The first, a Malayalam script
collection of prayers on Lord Dattatreya which was compiled by Maruti
Sharma, priest of Datta Temple in Cochin Ashrama. The second book, a collection
of new Bhajans of Sri Swamiji printed in Malayalam script was released
by Sri Jayaraman, Commissioner of Customs, Cochin.
At
5 Am on Sunday the 22nd, Sri Swamiji placed the copper Yantrams of the
Navagrahas in the stone base. And after the Sri Chakra Puja in the morning,
Sri Swamiji spoke on Dattatreya and the principles of Dattatreya. After
the Purnahuti at the Yaga Shala, Sri Swamiji went in to the small shrine
of Karya Sidhdhi Anjaneya and sat in meditation. Thereafter, Sri Swamiji
gave dry coconuts to devotees and asked them to tie them around the temple
and come after 40 days to open the shell. Some time later, Sri Swamiji
climbed up the small Navagraha shrine and performed Kumbhabhishekam. Hundreds
of devotees witnessed and were Blessed.
In
the evening a wonderful Bhajan session was held in the Ashrama prayer
hall where Sri Swamiji’s captivating voice combined with the power
of old Bhajans took the devotees to a devotional frenzy.
Sri Swamiji left Cochin on Wednesday, 23rd April for Katmandu, Nepal (via
Mumbai).
Sri Swamiji stands in the doorway of the new Guru Nilayam
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Kum. Kunju, daughter of Dr. Vijaya and Sri. Padmanabhan, hand overs the keys of Guru Nilayam to Sri Swamiji
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Sri Swamiji in the yet to be installed Navagraha shrine (5 AM on 22nd April) for the Yantra placing program
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Sri Swamiji performs Tailabhisheka (oil pouring) on Dattatreya (Sidhdha Raja Datta)
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Sri Swamiji offers Arati to Sidhdha Raja Dattatreya
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The Statue of Siddha Raja Dattatreya, the presiding deity of Cochin Ashrama
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Sri Swamiji holds a dry coconut in the Karya Siddhi Anjaneya Shrine
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The much venerated Karya Siddhi Anjaneya idol
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Sri
Swamiji performs Prokshana (sprinkling of holy water) to the newly installed
Navagraha Idols on
Sunday, 22nd April 2001
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