On 29th, Sri Swamiji traveled from Baroda to Haridwar via Delhi. During the short transit time in Delhi, Sri Swamiji visited "Amar Jyoti" - a special institute / school / rehabilitation center / training institute for physically and mentally handicapped children. Sri Swamiji had visited this institute almost fourteen years ago and was very pleased to see it again (More about the visit in the Delhi visit coverage). Sri Swamiji traveled by Jan Shatabdi express train from Delhi to Haridwar. It was a pleasant five hour journey. The chilly Haridwar evening gave way to warm love and affection of devotees who welcomed. Though it was quite late and Sri Swamiji had traveled from Baroda to Delhi and then to Haridwar, Sri Swamiji patiently sat in the Ashrama (Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Bhadra Kali Datta Peetham) and received garlands. Prof. Krishan Kumar welcomed Sri Swamiji. Late in the evening at around 10 PM, Sri Swamiji sat on the banks of Ganga river and was in meditation for a long time. Sri Swamiji also fed Chapatis to the fish in the Ganga river. Sri Swamiji amusingly noted that in just 24 hours, the travels of Swamiji had taken Him to Narmada River (near Baroda), Yamuna river (in Delhi) and Ganga river in Haridwar. It was amazing indeed. On 30th morning, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Bhadra Kali temple in the Ashrama. The very small shrine, the Kali Devi idol and to see Sri Swamiji performing Sri Chakra Puja in front of the idol - was wonderful to see. Sri Swamiji then went to the Shiva temple that has been constructed since the last Shivaratri that was held in the Ashrama. Saying that He could not do the coming year's Shivaratri in this Ashrama as planned, Sri Swamiji said that he would come to Haridwar immediately after the Shivaratri festival in Mysore Ashrama.(it is now scheduled that Sri Swamiji visits Haridwar on 13, 14 and 15th March 2005. Sri Swamiji then offered Arghya in Ganga river and let a Kartika Deepam in the river. Sprinkling water on the small crowd of devotees, Sri Swamiji was all smiles. At 11 AM Sri Swamiji proceeded to Rishikesh Ashrama. The journey is short. 25 minutes. We passed many Ashramas that are in Haridwar. We then realized how lucky we are to have our Ashrama right on the banks of Ganga. It is a great fortune indeed. In Rishikesh Ashrama, Sri Swamiji offered Arati to the Digambara Dattatreya. Among the two Ashramas (Haridwar and Rishikesh), it was Rishikesh Ashrama that was first added to Datta Peetham. One freedom fighter Late Padarthi Sundaramma who ran the place offered it to Datta Peetham. She had told me that Mahatma Gandhiji had visited this Ashrama long before. Sri Swamiji then gave Darshan to devotees and announced that he would stay in Rishikesh Ashrama on 16 and 17th March, After the stay in Haridwar Ashrama. Sri Swamiji said that he would conduct a Havan in those two days. Later, Sri Swamiji returned to Haridwar Ashrama. In the evening, Sri Swamiji went around the Ashrama and instructed about the preparations for three days visit in March 2005. A cake was offered by Sri Kailas Nath Agarwal, who has done yeoman service in Haridwar Ashrama. The secretary of Juna Akhad, a Sant, called on Sri Swamiji and received Blessings. Sri Swamiji traveled back to Delhi by train on the morning of 1st December 2004.
North
India Tour -2004
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