Sri Swamiji in Laguna Hills
Sri Swamiji arrived in the area on Wednesday the 16th July and was camping
in the house of Sri Ashok and Kusum Patel.
Sri Chakra Puja was performed on the next day (17th) in the house of
Sri Ravi Renduchintala. The backdrop of the Puja area was the beautiful
painting
by Sri Gangadhar (Mysore Ashrama), which depicted Sri Swamiji playing
different instruments. Students of Smt. Padma Kutty, respected musician
and music teacher sang Bhajans of Sri Swamiji and other compositions.
After the Puja, Sri Ravi presented to Sri Swamiji a letter from the Mayor
of Irvine welcoming Sri Swamiji to their town. The plans of the proposed
garden / park (which when completed would be larger than central park
in New York city) was shown and Blessings sought. Sri Jandhyala Shankar,
former Mayor of Vijayawada was present.
Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans and gave discourse in the evening.
On 18th July 2003, Sri Chakra Puja was held in the house of Sri Ashok
and Kusum Patel in Laguna Hills. Sri Swamiji spoke about deteriorating
system of marriage and its values and principles (click
here for the transcript of the speech).
In the evening Sri Swamiji sang medley of Bhajans like in San Jose but
it was better and longer this time (40 Bhajans). In the speech before,
Sri Swamiji spoke about the Dharma Artha Kama Moksha and the activities
of our daily life depicting them. (Click
here for the transcript of the speech)
On 19th July 2003 Sri Swamiji practiced for the concert that evening.
At 7 PM in the beautiful Long Beach Center for Performing Arts, Music
for Meditation and Healing concert was held (the 6th in the Nada Prasara
Music tour this year). The beautiful hall could seat 1300 persons and
it was full long before the start of the concert. Sri Manu Bhai Patel
of London Datta Yoga Center lit the lamp. Kali Ray of Tri Yoga Center
gave the welcome speech. Sri Ashok and Kusum Patel, the organizers
gave
garland and Vastram to Sri Swamiji. Ravi Renduchintala and Don Ganguly
presented to Sri Swamiji the souvenir book prepared for the occasion.
The book has beautiful photos and articles related to Sri Swamiji’s
music.
In the concert, Sri Swamiji played Charukeshi raga (Inner Healing CD)
and sang “O’ Mother Mary Bless your Children”. The
slow and stirring melody and lyrics was stunningly beautiful. Click
here to view the video clipping in quicktime(.mov) format
After the concert Sri Swamiji received flowers from audience.
On Sunday 20th June, Pada Pujas were performed to Sri Swamiji. During
Sri Chakra Puja Sri T. Krishnan a well known musician, sang Pahi
Pahi Gajanana
and other Bhajans as well as some compositions of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy.
Sri Swamiji materialized a Mala from a garland and blessed him. Some
devotees
(Sri Brahmaiah of Hyderabad and Phani, son of Sri Jagadeesh Prasad
narrated their experiences). Sri Swamiji blessed everyone.
In the evening Sri Swamiji sat and discussed with the family and friends
who had come from London and east coast.
Sri Swamiji will travel to Lexington on Monday 21st July 2003 at 12.45
PM and arrive there at 1 PM.
The Auditorium
Concert in Long beach
Sri Jandhyala Shankar was honored by Swamiji with a garland
The garden planned in Irvine, CA is Blessed by Sri Swamiji
Swamiji mirrored in the concert room
Sri Swamiji on boat in Monterey Bay. Pacific Ocean is all behind Swamiji
Sri Swamiji with Smt. Padma Kutty and her students who rendered bhajans