Jaya Guru Datta

Parama Pujya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, who established the giant 85 feet Hanuman idol in Trinidad and Tobago, the island country in the Caribbean, in the year 2003, revisited the country from the 22nd to 26th April 2007 and celebrated the 4th anniversary of the statue installation.

Journeying straight from Jayalakshmi Puram (Bommeparthy village), about 5 hour drive from Bangalore, Sri Swamiji traveled non stop through Bangalore, Mumbai, London and arrived in Port of Spain on the evening of 22nd April. Sri Swamiji visited Ashrama in Carapichaima and offered prayers in all the shrines there. The devotees were over joyed to be in the divine presence of Sri Swamiji for the first time this year. Sri Ramesh Maharaj, President of Ashrama spoke about the happiness that was pervading in the Ashrama in anticipation of Sri Swamiji's visit. Sri Swamiji spoke and Blessed the devotees thus :

“This is a very happy occasion, like a Kshipra blessing, very short, like a dream darshan, only three days.  Lord Anjaneya  blessing so many times with Vishnu Deonarine.  Vishnu gave promise eight years ago to supervise Anjaneya project.  Sri Swamiji said, “I'll come for your birthday to your house.” This 85 foot Anjaneya or Hanuman is giving Darshan to not only Trinidad but the whole world.  Sri Swamiji urged devotees to chant the following mantra for any problem they may have:-

“Anjaneya mati Paatalaananam kaancha naadri kamaniiya vigraham
Paarijata tarumuula vaasinam Bhaavayaami Pavamaana nandanam.”

He explained, “Anjaneya always sleeps under the Parijata tree. Parijata is a special flower, and the tree has a special meaning also.  It means human buddhi or human mind.  Anjaneya lives in our mind, giving intellect, mental health.  Mula is root, so Anjaneya living in our backbone and our body.  So daily go round, bow down, he’ll give good strength , knowledge and good bhakti or devotion.  We want devotion to stay in our body.  I told so many times, this body is very rare, and we have so many good and bad experiences.  Pray to Anjaneya, he is your breathing itself.  If you want to understand Sadguru Tattva  you must study Anjaneya, then only you’ll understand.  Surrender to Him".

Later that night, Sri Swamiji traveled to the residence of Sri Vishnu Deo Naraine, trustee of Ashrama, residing in San Fernando town. That night Sri Swamiji received Pada Puja from the family who were celebrating the 60th Birthday of Sri Vishnu Deo Naraine.

On 23rd evening, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in their house. Many friends and devotees attended. During Puja, Datta Peetha Nada Nidhi Sri. Mungal Patessar, well known Sitar player of Trinidad performed on the sitar and offered Music seva. Padma Turk of Datta Retreat Center, USA offered to Sri Swamiji an instrument which looked like a metal tie. Sri Swamiji wore it around his neck and started to drum along to the rhythm of the Bhajan singing by the expert Bhajan singers of Trinidad Ashrama.

Sri Swamiji explained that at 60 years, some Shantis are necessary because the man’s 60th birthday is the start of a new lunar cycle. “If you’re not able to do all the Shantis at least be with Sadguru, because this body is a God –given gift. Use every minute for good.  Find out ‘Who am I?’  Find out about Atman.  Don’t calculate about your 80 hundred thousand births, you’ll get mad, and won’t want spiritual practice.  Just keep on practicing, meditate, experience yourself, your inner journey that leads to silence and Moksha.”  He blessed Vishnu and Renuka Deonarine and family, saying, “Today is a different kind of party, spiritual party, a very rare celebration.”  He urged the guests of more than 200, including many lucky foreigners who witnessed the Sri Chakra Puja, to enjoy themselves this enlightening celebration, which was followed by  a delicious dinner for all.  On this occasion, Sri Swamiji also mentioned the seven day Hanuman Conference being planned for next year around the 22nd April, to be held here in Trinidad, urging all to support this Conference.

On April 24th morning, Sri Swamiji met the Prime Minister of Trinidad, Mr. Patrick Manning. In the evening, Sri Swamiji poured flowers on the 85 feet Hanuman statue from a Helicopter and circled around the idol several times. Later, Sri Swamiji climbed to the feet of Hanuman and poured water as Abhisheka. Below thousands of devotees chanted Hanuman Chalisa. Later, Sri Swamiji performed Abhisheka to the main red stone idol of Hanuman in the shrine below the statue and Blessed the audience with the Hanuman Mantra given on the first day and asked them to chant it when ever they wanted to feel the energy of Hanuman. Sri Swamiji said that He had directed the priest, Mr. Shiva Kumara Sharma to decorate Hanuman with different decorations each day for 365 days. Sri Swamiji mentioned that a International Hanuman Conference for one week was being planned in Trinidad from the 23rd to 30th March 2008 in Trinidad Ashrama. Sri Swamiji further said that the entire area will become a Hanuman town and many Hanuman related activities, dances, dramas, ballets, fold festivals, screening of Hanuman movies, Hanuman Mantra Homas, lectures by eminent scholars, Hanuman book stall etc etc would be organised. This announcement from Sri Swamiji met thunderous applause and cheering of Victory to Hanuman - which lasted several minutes.

On 25th evening, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja and the Nada Sangama steel band played and spoke about the inner journey of each individual (Jeevatma) to reach the Paramatma residing in each being. Sri Swamiji said that compartmentalising life in two chambers. One chamber is when you have to deal with the turbulent external world and one compartment is for the inner journey and be the emperor of one's inner world. Sri Swamiji again spoke about the Hanuman Conference next year and the salient features are - 1. Devotees to write at least 18 million times "Jai Hanuman" and send it to Trinidad Ashrama before the conference commences. Start today - said Sri Swamiji. Lectures by eminent scholars. Dances and Dramas centered around the story of Hanuman, Hanuman Yagna, Indian Vegetarian Food fair, Screening of films on Hanuman, Full fledged Puja store where spiritual books, souvenirs, trinkets, photos of deities are available etc etc.

Devotees brought a large cake to celebrate Sri Swamiji's 65th Birthday in advance. There was a lot of singing, happiness and positive vibrations in the celebrations.

On 26th, Sri Swamiji met community leaders of Trinidad. In the afternoon, Sri Swamiji left for London.

Sri Swamiji arrived in London on the 27th morning. In the evening, Sri Swamiji visited the new Euro Datta Centre at 8 Pm and performed Sri Chakra Puja. Devotees chanted Bhajans and Datta Stava. London devotees have found a larger new center in Hounslow and will move from the present center in Garett Lane in Tooting to this Church hall in Hounslow.

On 28th morning, Sri Swamiji visited the center again and Blessed the devotees to continue the Satsang in the new center in Hounslow. Sri Swamiji left for India in the afternoon and arrived in Bangalore in the wee hours of 29th. At 11 AM, the Matru Mandali members of Bangalore Ashrama donated clothes to Sri Swamiji to distribute them to the Mysore Ashrama staff during the 65th Birthday celebrations of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji returned to Mysore Ashrama at 5 PM to a warm welcome that only Mysore Ashrama can give thus concluding this memorable 92nd foreign tour.

Sri Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji witnesses sun rise over San Fernando valley in Trinidad
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Family of Sri Vishnu Deo Naraine who hosted Sri Swamiji in Trinidad
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Sri Swamiji plays Zydeco Tie from the Cajun music of Louisiana area. It was presented by Padma Turk of Datta Retreat Center.
Sri Swamiji wore the metal tie and started playing on the ribbed metal with the metal cover tipped fingers to the lively Trinidad Bhajan
group's singing.
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The 85 feet tall idol of Karya SIddhi Hanuman was freshly repainted in February. Sri Swamiji admired the quality of painting.
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Helicopter carrying Sri Swamiji hovers around the Karya Siddhi Hanuman statue in Trinidad Ashrama on 24th April 2007
when the 4th anniversary of the installation was celebrated. Sri Swamiji poured flowers and Akshata (sacred yellow rice)
from Helicopter on Hanuman statue
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Sri Swamiji performs Arati to Hanuman
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Sri Swamiji performs Abhisheka on the red stone statue of Karya Siddhi Hanuman
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On 25th April evening, the priest of Ashrama, Pundit Shiva Kumara Sharma surprised everyone with this decoration on Hanuman statue.
He said that he got a vision from Hanuman the previous night to decorate the idol like Sri Swamiji. Here we see Sri Swamiji
performing Arati to the Hanuman statue.
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Sri Swamiji visited Lakshmi Narayana Mandir and the school run by Senator and Minister Satish Ramroop. Here we see Sri Swamiji
interacting with school children.
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Sri Swamiji joined the Nada Sangama steel band and played along a couple of songs on 25th April 2007
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The newly purchased church building in Hounslow area of London. Euro Datta Centre which is presently at Garrett Lane, Tooting area
in London will shift to this venue
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Sri Chakra Puja in the new center
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The trustees of Euro Datta Center, Jitu Dave, Manu Bhai Patel and Mohan Suthar get a donation check from USA blessed by Sri Swamiji. The trustees appealed for donations to pay for the mortgage on the new center
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