Jaya Guru Datta

The Day the devotees in Mumbai had waited for so lang had at last come. The day when Sri Swamiji set foot in the land planned to develop the Mumbai Ashrama finally came on 20th November 2005. Sri Swamiji had just completed the long pilgrimage of the Prabhasa Teertha Kshetras of Dwaraka, Nageswara and Somanatha. It looked as though the collective merit of touring these three great and ancient cities of divinity had borne immediate and positive results.

The land is situated just outside Panvel, a suburb of Mumbai. It adjoins the village Shirdhon and Chinchvan. The plateau like land is set against a grand back drop of lush green hill range. On one side of the land is a creek with water flow.

0n 21st November 2005, Sri Swamiji set foot in this land for the first time. Hundreds of devotees, villagers and local government officials welcomed Sri Swamiji. A small function was held in temporary pendal (marquee). Dr.Prakash, Sri MBK Rao, Sri Jayant Lapsia, Smt.Annapurna Kashyap, Sri S.Somashekar, Sri Mohan and others of the Mumbai Gnana Bodha Sabha welcomed Sri Swamiji. The head of the Shirdhon Gram Panchayat welcomed Sri Swamiji with a Marathi language welcome speech.

Sri Swamiji spoke and said that Mysore Ashrama looked like that land when Sri Swamiji first entered in 1966. Sri Swamiji forecast such a great development in the site. Sri Swamiji called on the neighboring villagers to offer Seva and feel a sense of fulfillment.

Sri Swamiji offered Purnahuti to the first Ganapathy Homa performed on the site.

Sri Swamiji discussed with the local Panvel Architect, Mr.Shekar Mahtre and appreciated is keenness to devotionally participate in the future development of the Ashrama.

Sri Swamiji received Bhiksha Vandanam in a small tent specially put up for that purpose. Devotees were given food as the first Annadanam in the prospective Ashrama land.

As Sri Swamiji left the Ashrama site at 1 PM, devotees gave a tearful sendoff to Sri Swamiji. It was a tear of happiness that the Mumbai finally had a place to call as Ashrama.

Earlier, arriving in Mumbai on the night of 18th November from Rajkot after completing the divine Yatra of Dwaraka and Somanatha visits, Sri Swamiji participated in a public program with devotees on 19th evening in the Hari Hara Putra Bhajan Samaj in Chembur's Lokhandwale Marg. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja on the fifth floor roof top area. In His message, Sri Swamiji said that the temple had a very special place in Sri Swamiji's heart and that it was always the first Ashrama for Sri Swamiji in Mumbai. Sri Swamiji appreciated the members and staff of the temple saying they took extra steps to make Sri Swamiji and devotees feel at home.

Mumbai Ashrama land in Panvel area
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Sri Swamiji arrives at 09.54 AM on 20th November 2005 and sets foot on the land for the proposed Ashrama in Mumbai
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The tent where the first public function was held
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Shirdhon village Panchayat member offers garland to Sri Swamiji
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Villagers file past Sri Swamiji to have Darshan
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Sri Swamiji offers Maha Purnahuti of the first ever Maha Ganapathy Homa held in this land
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Annadana
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How is the place? The expression says it all..................... Jai Guru Datta

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