Welcome and Civic Reception for Sri Swamiji - Feb 2, 2003

Sri Swamiji arrived in Jaya Durga Teertha on the banks of Krishna river in Vijayawada at 3 PMon the 31st January 2003. Sri Swamiji spent in quietitude the rest of the day. In the evening Sri Swamiji discussed with Sri Kuppa Krishna Murthy, Datta Peetham Trustee about the upcoming Devi Temple Kumbhabhishekam (inauguration) and the programs ensuing it.

On 1st February 2003 Sri Swamiji performed Puja on the banks of the serene Krishna river in the Ghats of Jaya Durga Teertham. Sri Swamiji offered Puja to Krishna river also. Later Sri Swamiji discussed with Sri Dasari Jaganmohana Rao, Trustee in charge of Jaya Durga Teertham the arrangements needed for those who wish to offer the annual Shraddha rituals (in honor of deceased ancestors) in the Teertham.

Sri Swamiji arrived in Vijayawada Ashrama situated in Patamata area at 8.45 AM. Hundreds of devotees were eagerly awaiting this event.

It is worthwhile to recall a brief history of this Vijayawada Ashrama.

Vijayawada city in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh state was one ofSri Swamiji's early ventures out of Mysore. Sri Swamiji came there at the invitation of Dr.Krishnamurthy. Sri Swamiji arrived in Vijayawada for the first time on 29th December 1969. Most of the people who had Darshan then are staunch devotees even today. MAny families have four generation of devotees serving Sri Swamiji's mission. Sri Swamiji stayed in the famed Venkateshvara temple in Labbipet area. Sri Swamiji stayed for three weeks and celebrated the Sankranti festival in Vijayawada then. From then on Sri Swamiji visited this town several times a year and stayed for 40 days or longer. A site for starting an Ashrama was found and in 1974 Sri Swamiji moved to the new Ashrama site. What was the out skirts of town then is the part of the central town today.

Sri Swamiji installed a gaint Ganapathy idol and called it Kshipra Ganapathy. Datta temple was instaleld in 1989 and the Datta star "Shyama Kamala Lochana" was given to this Dattatreya and Anagha Devi.

Even today Vijayawada Ashrama is called as 2nd Mysore.

Coming to this visit, a civic reception was held in the Ashrama on 2nd February 2003. Several prominent dignitories came and honored Sri Swamiji and all of them profusely thanked Sri Swamiji for Blessing the city with the Devi Temple.

The Kshipra Ganapati idol in the Ashrama (1982) Blesses all the functions
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Tailabhisheka to Shyama Kamala Lochana Dattatreya

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Sri Swamiji in the Yaaga Shaala specially erected for the performence of the rituals.
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Sri Chakra Puja by Sri Swamiji on the stage. A gaint Sumeru enhances the scene.
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Civic Reception - Sri M.V.S.Chowdhury garlands Sri Swamiji. Sri Kolli Gopala Krishnaiah looks. These two gentlemen have been the coner stones of the Vijayawada Ashrama ever since Sri Swamiji visited Vijayawada on 29th December 1969.
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Civic Reception- Sri Swamij is extensively garlanded by Sri Mammaneni Subba Rao, Secretary of Siddartha Educational institutions, Sri Thakur, Sri Gangi Raju, prominent citizens of Vijayawada, Prof. Pisupati, a renowned researcher of Sri Chakra look on.

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Sri Gangiraju, a well known philonthropist in Vijayawada offers a Sanman Patra - honor poem - to Sri Swamiji.

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Sri Swamiji's Speech after civic reception

Sri Swamiji's evening Satsang Speech