REPORT

Rayalaseema & Nellore Tour (2008) of Pujya Sri Swamiji

Pujya Sri Swamiji visited Ashramas in Ralaya Seema Region in the third week of November 2008. This trip was made to visit the Adhishthaanam (Mausoleum) of His Holiness Narahari Teertha Swamy at Jayalakshmipuram village, Anantapur District. Annually, the Aaradhana (Annual Prayer Service) in reverence to the great soul, is conducted in the month of Sraavana (August).
Sri Swamiji could not visit Jayalakshmipuram to attend these ceremonies, in recent past. Hence, He decided to perform Kartika Somavara Abhishekam on 17th November 2008 and visit other Ashramas in Rayalaseema, where devotees were requesting Sri Swamiji’s visit to their Ashramas.

15th November 2008, Saturday
Dharmavaram:
On 15th December, Saturday, Sri Swamiji arrived at Dharmavaram Ashrama, where Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara was consecrated last year. Municipal Chairman Sri K Hari and Trustees have reverentially received Sri Swamiji.
Sri Chakra Puja was performed in the evening. Speaking on this occasion, Sri Swamiji exhorted the devotees to take up more Utsavas, Dharmik Activities to match the elegance and grandeur of this temple, so that they can experience the divinity, quite often.

16th November 2008, Sunday
Puttaparti:
Sri Swamiji briefly attended the Shanti Yagnam Program of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, conducted at Hill View Stadium, Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparti. This Yagnam was organised by Sri Audikesavulu Naidu, Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, on the occasion of 83rd Birth of Noted Spiritual leader Sri Satya Sai Baba.

It was a wonderful sight for thousands of devotees, to have the glimpse of the Podium where, two of the greatest spiritual giants of our times are seated together. Amidst the sacred chants of Rudra Adhyaaya by hundreds of scholars, Sri Satya sai Baba and Sri Swamiji witnessed the Poornahuti of Homa.

On this joyous occasion, Sri Swamiji presented a rare Rudraksha Maala (which was being adorned on Lord Sachchidanandeshwara in Datta Peetham for many years) to Sri Satya Sai Baba and wished and prayed for his long and healthy life.

Kadiri
Sri Swamiji inspected the ongoing construction of New Ashrama, abutting Anantapur Road, in Kadiri. Goddess Marakata Maha Lakshmi is the principal deity in this Ashrama. Shrines of Datta & Shiva and Ganapati; Guru Nilayam, Navagraha Temple, Meditation Hall are the other important structures of this Ashrama.

Police Officers, Important Donors, Scribes and devotees benefited from the Darshan of Sri Swamiji. Sri P Harinath, Executive Trustee and main donor spoke on this occasion and appealed to devotees to support the ongoing construction.

Jaya Lakshmipuram
A Visit to Jayalakshmi Puram brings freshness and feel of relaxation to all the visitors. Sri Swamiji was no exception. Tranquil and serene atmosphere, combined with cool weather (notable feature of this visit in particular) calmed the minds of all the devotees.

Arriving in the evening, Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees at Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Adhishthanam. Significance of this visit (importance of Kartika Somavara Abhishekam and services to Narahareeswara Shiva Temple) was narrated. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Swamiji cautioned people against laxity towards vices. He exclaimed that the deeds of God and Guru are inexplicable. The most anticipated action could be so much belated and some other unexpected event could be in offing all of a sudden. The power of this Kshetram was so immense and the call of Shiva to perform Abhishekam was also equally rampant, He added.

17th November 2008, Monday
Rudra Abhishekam with Pancha Amrutas was performed on the occasion of Kartika Somavara in Sri Narahariswara Temple. Senior Devotees, who were regularly rendering service for Maasa Shivaratri Abhishekam were blessed and new Trust to conduct the Puja Activities at this Kshetram was also established on this occasion.

After Sri chakra Puja, Sri Swamiji had spoken about a Maha Yagna to be conducted at Jayalakshmi Puram in near future. He has suggested that devotees keep in touch with the developments of this Ashrama, which is akin to native place for all Datta Devotees and support the ongoing Dining Hall extension and Guest House Construction.
Annadanam was performed to all the participants.

18th November 2008, Tuesday
Sri Swamiji arrived at Anantapur Gnana Sagara Data Temple in forenoon, after blessing the house of Tirupal, Engineer who rendered service in the construction of Dharmavaram Ashrama. Sri chakra Puja was performed in the evening.

19th November 2008, Wednesday
Departing from Anantapur, Sri Swamiji briefly visited Tadipatri town (N Rama Gopal) and reached Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, in Proddatur town. This was first visit of Sri Swamiji, after the consecration of Sri Sudarshana Narasimha Temple in Proddatur Ashrama.

Devotees perform Pradakshina (Circumambulation) to this Narasimha Temple, which has dual faces of Sudarshana (on the west side) and Yoga Narasimha (on the east side). After Sri chakra Puja in the evening, Sri Swamiji had introduced a new Seva to Lord Narasimha Sudarshana- called Tora Bandha.
He has explained that offering a Toram (Tying the sacred thread around the Wooden pillar in front of Narasimha Swamy) and chant of Mantra for 10 days could result in betterment in life, getting rid of problems.

The Mantra to tie Toram:

Toram Badhnaami He Deva
Naarasimha Sudarshana
Sarva Klesaapahaaree Twam
Sarvaabheeshtam Pradehi Me

Sri Swamiji, later gave Upadesham of Narasimha Mantra to be chanted during the 10 day Deeksha period (after performing the Tora Bandham).

Mantra:
Sreem Naarasimha Sudarshanaaya Namaha

20th November 2008, Thursday
Sri Swamiji arrived at Kadapa Ashrama (Tim Datta Natha Kshetram) in the forenoon. Devotees have joined together to build the compound wall to this ashrama, situated at Viswanathapuram (Yerramukkapalli).

Speaking at the reception, Sri Swamiji gave many advices to organisers of Ashramas and religious institutions:

One should never treat the service to God and Guru as an outside job.
There should not be room for complacency and laxity in the service.
Resignation to service is tantamount to ignominy.
Keep the premises very clean, so that it is inhabitable for the revered.
Similarly, your heart should also be equally clean, so that the effulgence of the Almighty is constantly felt.
Expect the visit of Sadguru to your place, any time. Such a high level of preparedness is a must for each devotee.

After Evening Puja, Asthaana Vidwan Sri Gandluru Dattatreya Sharma (a noted poet) had spoken about the hymn Gurur Brahma, its relevance to Dattatreya and the Triple Concept of Creation, Sustenance and Deluge. Devotees had vowed to increase the activities of Ashrama and also to build Guru Nilayam.

21st November 2008, Friday
Sri Swamiji has arrived in Nellore – Sri Krishna Yoga Mandiram, Ashta Lakshmi Sannidhi at 2PM. Devotees and Trustees enthusiastically received Sri Swamiji. Arrangements were for the visit immaculately made by the Trustees led by Executive Trustee Sri Ashok Reddy.

Evening, Sri Swamiji gave Darshan to all the devotees. Un seasonal rains were constant feature through out this trip. Braving the mild showers to downpour, devotees made required arrangements at all the places. This was the first visit of Sri Swamiji after the re-consecration of Krishna Temple.

22nd November 2008, Saturday
Sri chakra Puja was performed in the morning. In the evening, Sri Swamiji inaugurated Tippparaju Venkata Subbayya Chowltry, in the hear of Nellore City. Dr.Ajay Kumar Sharma and other members had renovated this chowltry for the benefit of public. Sri Swamiji has stressed the need for selfless service and importance of honesty in life; especially to public servants.

In Ashrama, Laksha Tulasi Archana to Krishna was performed by devotees. Before Divya Nama Sankeertana in Ashrama, Sri K Balarama Reddy and Sri A Raja Rao had spoken about their experiences about interpreting Sri Swamiji’s instructions and words.

23rd November 2008, Sunday
Being Kartika Bahula Ekadasi, Pavamana Homa was performed in the morning by Neelakantha Namboodri, KS Bhat and other Pundits from Tirupati. During Puja, the term Pavamana and Mantras were explained in a discourse by Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi.

Before Poornahuti, Sri Swamiji has spoken about the forthcoming 100th Trip (to foreign countries by Sri Swamiji for Dharma Prachara) to Singapore and advised devotees to attend the historic program (Music for Meditation and Healing) on 24th January 2008 at Esplanade Auditorium in Singapore. He added that the proceeds of the concert would be donated towards community welfare. (Devotees are free make their travel and accommodation arrangements. However registration is compulsory for attending the program.)

In the evening, a scintillating discourse on the Great Devotee King Divo Daasa was delivered by His Holiness. This story explains the connection between Shiva, the mythological sacred city – Kashi (Varanasi), Reluctant take over of the reigns of administration by Sage like Divo Daasa, Exit of Shiva, Tantrums of Ganapati, Vishnu and Re-entry of Lord Vishwanatha to Varanasi and Emancipation of Divo Daasa.

Thus the wonderful and short tour to Rayalaseema and Nellore concluded.

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