Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji’s 64th foreign tour honors went to Trinidad. Though only for four days, its benefit was immense, as the devotees in Trinidad looked forward to this visit in great anticipation. They wanted Sadguru Deva to judge the progress of the Hanuman and the other massive sculptural works taking place in the Ashrama since 18 months. As you all know an 85 feet tall Hanuman idol is being built in Trinidad Ashrama. This giant statue when inaugurated in June will be the tallest Hindu idol outside India.

Sri Swamiji left Mysore on the 5th morning after Sri Chakra Puja and passed through Bangalore Ashrama, Delhi, and London and arrived in Port of Spain on the 6th Afternoon at 4.30 PM. Garland and Purnakumbha awaited as soon as Sri Swamiji stepped out of the aircraft door. The President of Dattatreya Yoga Centre, Sri Ramesh Maharaj, Tara Maharaj, Senator Satish Ramroop, the president of the project committee, Sri Vishnu Deo Naraine, Secretary of Datta Yoga Centre, Sri Sherwin Seenath, Former President of Datta Yoga Centre, Dr.Ralph Sieupersad welcomed Sri Swamiji in the airport. As Sri Swamiji was journeying to the Ashrama (about 40 mins from airport), FM 103, one of the most popular radio stations in the country announced that “The Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore, India has arrived in Trinidad and is now proceeding to the Ashrama in Carapichaima and we on behalf of all the Trinidadians welcome him”. Announcing so the radio played the popular Bhajan “Jaya Jaya Bhuvi Divi Manava”, sung by Sri Swamiji. It was a moment of ecstasy and a perfect welcome.

As the car approached Ashrama, Sri Swamiji asked me to check if the Hanuman is in proportion. Any statue making requires the special skills of the sculptor’s ability to construct the idol proportional. The different parts of the body need to be in proper proportions to invoke the divine feeling. A failure, even in a small part causes a quiet but disturbing eeriness. More so in a statue of gigantic proportions. Correction will become more difficult to achieve. Hence Sri Swamiji’s anxiety. I looked out of the window with all anticipation. The statue, gigantically and massively proportioned loomed large in all its beauty and superbly proportioned. My happy gasp should have answered. Sri Swamiji looked at the statue and beamed and smiled. That said it all. As Sri Swamiji got out of the car in front of the Ashrama gates, His eyes were transfixed to the deity. The loud, enthusiastic and energetic singing of the Bhajans by the eager devotees seemed to be of less consequence at that moment. Later Sri Swamiji walked in to the prayer hall. This place too was getting a major upgradation. Sri Swamiji patiently collected the garlands from the many who had brought as a token of respect. The long, nonstop journey from Mysore to Carapichaima seemed to have no effect on Sri Swamiji’s smile and earnest inquires he made to devotees. The president of the Datta Yoga Center made an enthusiastic and emotional speech profusely thanking Sri Swamiji for making this special short trip to their land.
Sri Swamiji in his brief speech said that the miracle they had done in the Ashrama outshone the miracles of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji applauded their efforts and blessed them.

In the next two days Sri Swamiji chaired several meetings of the Trustees and gave important instructions about the inauguration of the shrines and Hanuman statue in June this year.

The Prime Minister, Hon’ble Patrick Manning visited Ashrama on the 8th noon at 1 PM and spent 30 minutes discussing and appreciating the Hanuman project.

Dr. Linda Baboolal, Chairperson of the Trinidad & Tobago senate and acting President of the country visited Ashrama on the 9th morning and attended the Sri Chakra Puja.

Nada Sangama steel band played in the Ashrama on the 9th evening. Sri Swamiji joined them briefly and played a Bhajan.
On the same evening Sri Swamiji saw the idols that had recently arrived in the Ashrama from India. Minister for Culture and Minister for local administration visited Ashrama.

Swami Manasa (Radhanna) who accompanied Sri Swamiji to Trinidad stayed back and will co-ordinate the construction and preparations of celebrations in June. The Datta Yoga Center will soon start a web site (www.dyc-tt.org) and devotees can get more information about the celebrations either from there or Datta Peetham web site (www.dattapeetham.com).

Sri Swamiji left Trinidad on the evening of 10th and arrived in London on the 11th morning. That evening Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Euro Datta Center and gave a discourse. Sri Swamiji left London on the 12th morning and arrived in Delhi in the early hours of 13th March 2003.

This photos says it all. Sri Swamiji is Happy.
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The 85 Feet Hanuman statue stands tall and mighty

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Sri Swamiji gives a speech after Puja to circle Hanuman. The tall 85 feet Hanuman looms
Tall and powerful

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Sri Swamiji with Subramanya Sthapathy, the temple architect. This is the shrine that will
house the red stone Hanuman idol
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Sri Swamiji points to the top - The Hanuman idol.
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The Hanuman statue getting the final touches and soon a coat of paint.
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The sculptors continue in the night
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Dr. Linda Baboolal, acting President of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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Sri Chakra Puja on 9th March 2003
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Sri Swamiji joins the Nada Sangama steel pan band in Ashrama on the 9th evening
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Sri Swamiji after the Sri Chakra Puja.
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Swami Manasa returned to regular duties in Trinidad.
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