Trinidad 2004 - Report 1
March-April 2004

report 1 - report 2

22 March 2004
Sri Swamiji arrived in Mumbai and entered the renovated Guru Nilayam in Deonar area of Mumbai. The Trustees welcomed Sri Swamiji to the new abode in Mumbai. Sri Swamiji blessed the contractor and devotees who were associated with the renovation.

23 March 2004
Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the new Guru Nilayam. The workers who worked in the renovation program were given clothes as Blessings. Surat Devotees who had come in good numbers prayed Sri Swamiji to visit Surat Ashrama soon. In the evening Sri Swamiji gave Darshan and sang wonderful Bhajans in the equally wonderful Shankaralayam (Hari Hara Putra Bhajan Samaj) in Chembur area of Mumbai. Hundreds of devotees had Darshan of Pujya Swamiji.

24 March 2004
Early morning, Sri Swamiji traveled by British Airways to London. The chilly weather of London was overpowered by the warmth of devotion of the devotees who had come to receive Sri Swamiji in Heathrow airport terminal four. In the evening Sri Swamiji gave Darshan to devotees in a church in Wembley. Sri Swamiji speech that evening was one of the most evocative and spirited I have ever heard. The tone of Sri Swamiji bordered on sadness and a sense of urgency tinged the tone of Sri Swamiji. The message centered on the following points
- It is distressing to note that devotees’ prayers to Sri Swamiji are always for material things in life and family matters only. Only a small part of devotees follow me for spiritual reasons. Most of those who follow only want material wishes to be fulfilled - lamented Sri Swamiji.

25 March 2004
Sri Swamiji traveled from London Heathrow to Port of Spain in Trinidad. The plane briefly halted in Barbados for one hour. As the flight was delayed in London for over two hours, the flight arrived late in Trinidad. Swami Manasa Datta, Sri Ramesh Maharaj, President of Datta Yoga Center, Dr. Ralph Sieu Persad, Vice President, Sri Sherwin Seenauth, Secretary, Sri Mahipat, Treasurer, Sri Vishnu Deo Naraine, Trustee Sri Satish Ramroop, Junior Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Sieu Naraine Coosal were present in the airport to receive Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji traveled to Ashrama in Carapichaima village in central Trinidad. Large numbers of devotees were singing with rhythms and bands. The glee on their face spoke million words of welcome.
After Darshan of the temples, the devotees welcomed Sri Swamiji. Swami Manasa Datta and Sri Ramesh Maharaj gave moving welcome speeches. Sri Swamiji mentioned that he was glad to have returned to Trinidad.

26 March 2004
There was morning Sri Chakra Puja and evening Bhajans. Click here for Sri Swamiji's speech.

27 March 2004
Sri Swamiji's camp shifted to the residence of Sri Coosal. This beautiful home is situated in the lush green valleys and mountains in the hilly region of the east Port of Spain. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Shiva temple in their house. The householders performed Sri Rama Vrata.
In the evening, Sri Swamiji commenced the Shata Shloki Ramayana discourses. Sri Swamiji spoke about the Narada - Valmiki episode, where Valmiki was initiated to write Ramayana. Thereafter Sri Swamiji chanted the Shlokas pertaining to the chapters Ayodhya Kaanda and Baala Kaanda of Ramayana.
Later, Sri Coosal presented to Sri Swamiji the Shata Shloki Audio CD sung by Sri Swamiji. It was a miracle that the CD was produced in Trinidad in one day. The audiocassette had been released in Hyderabad on Yugadi Day on 21 March. Sri Swamiji presented the first CD to Smt. Linda Baboolal, President of the Senate in Trinidad.
Over 2000 people had intently listened to Sri Swamiji the whole evening. Swami Manasa Datta explained the meanings of the Shlokas chanted by Sri Swamiji.

28 March 2004
Morning Puja was on the same dais where Sri Swamiji had sung the Ramayana the previous evening. Sri Rama Homa was performed. In the evening, Sri Swamiji sang Shlokas from the Ramayana chapters of
Aranya Kaanda, Kishkindha Kaanda and Sundara Kaanda.
After the discourses, Sri Swamiji released the DVD of the Karya Siddhi Hanuman inauguration held in the previous year (2003). Sri Swamiji fondly remembered the historic inauguration of the Hanuman, the Beautiful prayer hall and the grand celebration of Sri Swamiji's 61st Birthday.
There after Sri Swamiji released the double audio CD of the Live in Minneapolis album. Sri Swamiji blessed the audience and presented a set of the newly released materials to Sri Basdeo Panday, Hon’ble former Prime Minister of Trinidad.

29 March 2004
Sri Chakra Puja was performed on the banks of PAMPA River. Yesterday, Sri Swamiji had walked around Sri Coosal's estate and found a small tributary flowing in the forests. Sri Swamiji had named the river as PAMPA.
It was a divine sight to witness Sri Chakra Puja in such natural settings. Lush mountains all around, Tall Bamboo trees gave a special feeling in that area.
In the evening, Sri Swamiji sang the last two chapters from Ramayana that is, Yuddha Kaanda and Uttara Kaanda. Sri Swamiji also gave answers to some Ramayana related questions. Sri Swamiji said that all the questions had long been answered in Bhakti Mala Magazine.

30 March 2004 - Sri Rama Navami
Sri Swamiji returned to Ashrama from Sri Coosal’s house. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Rama Puja and gave special Teertha to all. Sri Swamiji spoke and conveyed Blessings to all.
In the evening, Sri Rama and Seeta Kalyanam was held and thousands of people participated. Sri Swamiji spoke on the sacred union of marriage and the importance that must be attached to its proper upkeep. (Click here for the full text of Sri Swamiji's speech) In the night, Sri Swamiji saw the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Venus in a telescope brought by Sri Amar.

31 march 2004
In the morning Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja and then spoke about Ashrama affairs.
In the evening, Sri Swamiji spoke on Brahmanism and how caste system was wrong and its impact on development. (Click here to read the speech).

1 April 2004
Sri Swamiji visited the Aripo River and bathed in it along with devotees. Sri Swamiji inaugurated the newly built kitchen and dining facilities and a small cottage for Sri Swamiji. Shiva Linga Puja was performed.
In the evening the Trustees meeting was held in the august presence of Pujya Sri Swamiji.

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