Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived in Miami, USA in the afternoon on the 12th April 2004. Sri Dr.Prakasa Rao, Chairman of Datta Yoga Center, USA and Sri Ramesh Madisetty received Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji flew to Steubenville in Ohio and rested in the house of Dr. Ramana Murthy and Dr. Indubala Murthy.

On 14th morning, Sri Swamiji visited Datta Retreat Center in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of devotees had assembled there to receive Sri Swamiji braving the severe chill that permeated the entire area. Since it was quite cold, Sri Chakra Puja was performed inside the meditation hall, which was quite small. Every inch of the hall was filled. Sri Swamiji explained about Sri Chakra Puja while he performed it. After the Puja, Sri Swamiji blessed the bricks that would be used for the foundation of the proposed Unity Hall. Later Sri Swamiji cut a cake offered by the members of Datta Retreat Center.

Sri Swamiji then released the US releases of the audio albums, Shata Shloki Ramayana, Sri Lalita, Datta Venkata, Live in Minneapolis, Nada Prasara, DVD of last year Karya Siddhi Hanuman temple inauguration in Trinidad and DVD of Live in Minneapolis – healing music concert.

Sri Swamiji, fully wearing warm clothes, then visited the newly constructed (yet to be finished) kitchen and dorm complex. Sri Swamiji inaugurated the kitchen by boiling over the milk on the stove. Sri Swamiji then gave the milk to numerous devotees who had helped this project.

Afterwards, Sri Swamiji came to the site area where the construction of unity hall would take place. Sri Swamiji discussed the matter with Dr.Prakasa Rao, Ramana John Laird, Dr.Ramana Murthy, Manasa Datta, Padma Turk and Rick Steigerwald. Sri Swamiji also announced that a very special temple of Dashavatara – Dattatreya would be built in this unity hall. The 5000 square feet hall would comfortably seat about 300 persons.

Sri Swamiji then rested for the next two days in Steubenville and postponed the visit to Baton Rouge by two days.

17 April 2004 – Saturday
Sri Swamiji arrived in Baton Rouge at noon. When He arrived in the Temple at 6 PM, hundreds of families who had come from all over America reverentially welcomed Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja. Dr. Prakasa Rao who was to give the welcome speech was so choked up with emotion that he could not go beyond the words – Revered Sadgurudeva. Thereafter Swami Manasa continued Dr. Rao’s written speech. Click here for the text of the speech

Sri Swamiji then spoke and Blessed the audience. The Datta Venkata – Anagha Padmavathy – Kalyanam was performed. Sri Swamiji sat in the temple where devotees met Sri Swamiji individually and sought his Blessings and offered their respects. Thereafter, the annual Datta Yoga Center executive committee meeting was held. Sri Swamiji Blessed Dr. Ramana Murthy, Smt. Kusum Patel, Sri Rama Murthy and Sri Ravikiran Anupindi as new members of the board.

18 April 2004 - Sunday
After the morning Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Swamiji released new T Shirts designed by Kali Ray. Many devotees were Blessed with T Shirts by Sri Swamiji. Later. Sri Swamiji spoke on the occasion.Then Sri Swamiji witnessed the Abhishekam of Datta and Anagha Mata, Ganapati, and Shiva Lingam. Sri Swamiji sat with the devotees in silence for a while. Sri Swamiji blessed the bricks to be used for foundation of the proposed Guru Nilaya behind the temple. Daulat Sthanki and Harish Patel were entrusted with the construction of the Guru Nilayam. Sri Swamiji appreciated Dallas devotees for donating the false ceiling in the Jayalakshmi Bhavan.

19-23 April 2004
Sri Swamiji rested in Steubenville, Ohio

24 April 2004 – Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana
Amma Aradhana was held in the Datta Retreat Center. Function was held in a sprawling pendal erected in the same place where the unity hall would be built. Sri Swamiji first spoke on the occasion and then held a sort of discussion with Swami Manasa about the life story of Jayalakshmi Mata and her spiritual lessons. Devotees chanted the 108 names of Jayalakshmi Mata. Later Sri Swamiji gave saris to several ladies in honor of Jayalakshmi Mata. Later Sri Swamiji attended the special Puja performed in Jayalakshmi Mata’s name and Brahma Bhojan and Puja were performed.

Sri Swamiji returned to Steubenville in the evening where Arati was held to Jayalakshmi Mata. Sri Swamiji gave a stirring speech about the greatness of womanhood in India. The Narahari Sundari Jayalakshmi Bhajan was played. Also the healing music of the same Bhajan played by Sri Swamiji along with Dr. L. Subramaniam on violin which was played during Sri Swamiji’s 51st Birthday in Trinidad in the year 1993 was played. The audience were thrilled to hear this great play.

25 April 2004 - Sunday
Sri Swamiji traveled from Steubenville – Pittsburgh – San Francisco – San Jose in the west coast. Sri Swamiji was received by Sri Mike Raghavan, Sri.Mehul Patel, Sri Tulasi Tummala and Dr. Sharada Raghavan. In the evening, Sri Swamiji gave Darshan to devotees in the house of Dr.Sharada and Mike Raghavan where over 200 devotees had assembled. Kriti Renduchintala, a young girl of not more than five years of age led the devotees and sang the Bhajans Pahi Pahi Gajanana and Dattatreya Trimurti Rupa. It was moving to watch Sri Swamiji’s Divya Nama Sankirtana efforts to have filtered to the youngest of people who sang the Bhajan with great devotion, attention and confidence.
Sri Swamiji spoke briefly and said that every minute in the presence of a Sadguru was a important and fulfilling moment. Sri Swamiji praised the members of the west coast who were leading the Annadana Trust program in US in doing their Seva by caring for the needy and poor in the region.

26 April 2004
Sri Swamiji met the Satsang members in the house of Sri Arthi and Vijay Ramachandran, the house where Sri Swamiji had stayed overnight.
This culminated the visit of Sri Swamiji to USA.
Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji in front of the kitchen and Dining complex (yet to be completed) in Datta Retreat Center.
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Sri Swamiji inaugurates the new Kitchen and Dining facility in Datta Retreat Center -14 Apr 2004
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Devotees cram in every available inch in the Prayer Hall in Datta Retreat Center
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Sri Swamiji adorned in the beautiful rose flower garland
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The empty land between Guru Nilaya and Datta Temple - where the Unity Hall will be built
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Sri Swamiji standing in that land - discussing with Rick (contractor devotee) about the Hall.
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During Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Swamiji Blesses the bricks for the Unity Hall
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The beautiful trees of the Center in the spring
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In Baton Rouge, Sri Swamiji Blesses the bricks and gives them to Daulat Sthanki (left) and Harish Patel to build the Guru Nilaya.
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Back in Datta Retreat Center for Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana, Sri Swamiji adorns the photo of Mataji with a sari
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The devotees attending the Mataji Aradhana
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Sri Swamiji gives Prasadam to devotees
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Sri Swamiji releases the Jayalakshmi Mata T-Shirt - offered by Kaliji
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Kruti Renduchintala leads the Bhajan group in San Jose on 25th April 2004
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Sri Swamiji spent much of the resting time in Steubenville, Ohio playing the Piano.
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