His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji traveled Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry states from 5th to 16th October 2009.

Spending 2 days in Kerala from 5th October at the Ashrama branch in Aluva town was indeed a Blessed experience. The motto "God's own country" for Kerala was truly felt. The verdant green fields, breeze and the waft of delicately scented flowers was exotic. The Ashrama abuts "Periyar" or "Purna" river and is very close to Kalati village, the birth place of the Legendary Indian saint "Adi Shankara". Upon arrival in the Ashrama on 5th evening, Sri Swamiji was received with Pancha Vadyam instruments playing, a traditional Kerala art. Later Sri Swamiji inaugurated Mural paintings depicting the 8 Avataras of Hanuman. The artists Sukesh and his friends were present. On 6th morning, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja inside the shrine of "Siddharaja Namaka Dattatreya" temple.

On 7th, Coconut Puja was performed to Hanuman. Pavamana Sukta Homa followed. In the brief discourse, Sri Swamiji quipped "Every devotee should certainly visit Cochin Ashrama in his/her life time". In the evening Bhajans were scintillating. Devotees exclaimed that they were mesmerized by the two hour Bhajan session. Chief Justice of Kerala, Hon'ble Justice Sri. S. R. Bannurmath and Hon'ble Justice P. R. Raman attended the programs. During Pujas on two days, Music concerts were organized. On 6th, Sri. Eloor Vijay Kumar and on 7th Sri. Matancherry Viswanath sung Kirtans and Bhajans. Sri Swamiji admired and Blessed the program of the Ashram to help and support "Jo Nivas", a Christian orphanage near Ashrama. Sri Swamiji expressed happiness over the daily Annadana program of Sri. Padmanabhan and Smt. Vijayalakshmi.

Arriving in Chennai on 8th October, Sri Swamiji conducted Maha Rudra Japa and Homa program for next three days. 40 Veda Scholars chanted the sacred "Rudra Prashna" every day for four hours. On the evening of 9th October, legendary violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman attended the evening program. A function to release the audio CD "Sachchidananda Swara Mala", containing 13 Swarakshara Keertans composed by Sri Swamiji and 7 Saptaswara Kritis (compositions on seven notes of Music) was released. The compositions themselves are literary masterpieces. All the 13 Swarakshara Kirtans are composed using only seven letters of music - Sal Ri Ga Ma Pa Doha & NCI. A full reading will unravel the beauty of the meaning of the Kirtans which are on Mother Goddess. The compositions are in Telugu and Sanskrit. These were composed by Sri Swamiji during Navaratri festivals over two decades. Sri. Lalgudi Jayaraman had in fact sung and played a Kirtana during Pujya Sri Swamiji's 50th Birthday celebrations in 1992. It was befitting that Sri Swamiji asked him to take up this project of getting them sung by artists of his choice. Sri. Lalgudi got the project completed successfully and admirably well. Sri Swamiji in his brief message heaped showers on Sri. Lalgudi Jayaraman. That evening, Sri. Abhishek Raghuram, a well known Carnatic singer sang Bhajans of Sri Swamiji. His rendition of "Jyoti Velagindi" in Raga Pantuvarali" was exquisite.

On 10h, Dancers from the famed Kalakshetra foundation danced to the theme of Krishna's marriage with Rukmini. Their choreography and the artistic talent was of the highest order. Sri Swamiji was moved to tears to hear the singer sing shlokas from Bhagavatha. Sri Swamiji later mentioned that he remembered Jayalakshmi Mata singing those Shlokas to him during childhood in Mekedatu.

On 11th morning, Purnahuti of Maha Rudra program was held. In the evening, Sri Udalur Kalyana Raman, Tamil Nadu's most famous exponent of "Bhajan Singing" gave a concert of Bhajans for two hours. During the concert, he repeatedly mentioned that he was motivated to the Bhajan Singing by Sri Swamiji and that Sri Swamiji alone is the greatest living saint who propagated Divya Nama Sankeertana. After the concert was over, he announced that at least two Bhajans of Sri Swamiji would figure in every concert of his in future.

On 12th, Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans and Blessed devotees.

On 13th, Sri Aiyappan, devotee from Singapore and Chief Patron of Mysore Ashrama conducted Shashthi Poorthi Shanti - 60th Birthday rituals.

On 14th, Sri Swamiji left for Acharpakkam and Kumbhakonam. At 7 PM, Sri Swamiji visited the grand temple of Dhenu Pureeshvarar Shiva and Mother Goddess Jnanaambike in Patteswaram town near Kumbhakonam. Near the north tower in the same campus is the shrine of Mother Goddess Durga. In this sacred shrine stands the statue of "Sri. Govinda Dikshitar and his wife". He was the Chief Minister of the local chieftain in the 16th Century. Sri. Venkata Makhin, the great musicologist was the brother of Sri. Govinda Dikshitar. They hailed from Hoysala Karnataka clan. Pujya Sri Swamiji's lineage leads to them. So, Sri Swamiji was standing alongside the statue of his "ancient one" from 16th Century!! It was amazing to imagine the flow of music in the family and the seminal role the personalities have played in the form of the classical music.

After resting the night in Sri Rama Subban's house in Kumbhakonam, Sri Swamiji on 15th traveled to Thirunallar in Pondicherry state. This town is world famous for its "Shani Bhagavan temple". Interestingly the temple is of Darbharanya Ishvara Shiva Lingam. Shani Shrine is a small shrine outside the main temple and stands as "Divakar". This shrine is world famous because the idol of Shani has "Abhaya Hasta" - showing the right palm in Blessings as assurance. To mark Sri Swamiji's visit here, Rudra Homa, Navagraha Homa, Marakatha Shiva Linga Abhisheka, Archana to Dharbharanyeshvara and detailed Abhisheka to Lord Shani Bhagavan were performed. It was a meticulous and detailed Abhisheka. Sacred materials were mixed with water and poured. When Kumkum water and Turmeric water were poured, Shani Bhagavan idol was contrastingly visible. During the Abhisheka, Sri Swamiji threw 8 types of fruits to the right side of the temple. Bala Swamiji and devotees loudly chanted the Shani Stotra.

The temple authorities led by the Collector of the district met Pujya Sri Swamiji and apprised Him on the temple developments. Sri Swamiji expressed interest to build a stage for cultural programs in the temple area.

Later in the noon, Sri Swamiji traveled to Thirukkadaiyur town famous for the Shiva Temple of Amritaghateshwarar and Goddess Abirami. It was in this temple that Sage Markandeya worshipped Shiva and was saved from the deathly noose of Yama, the God of Death. The Shiva is also known as "Kaala Samhaara Moorthi".

Sri Swamiji traveled from Thirukkadaiyur to Pondicherry and stayed for the night in our Ashrama in Mangalam village situated on the outskirts of Pondicherry. Sri Swamiji was warmly received by the Chief Minister of Pondicherry, Sri.V,Vaithialingam. Sri Swamiji spoke to the assembled audience and urged them to practice meditation and Kriya Yoga.

Sri Swamiji returned to Mysore on 16th Morning from Pondicherry airport to Mysore's new airport.

Sri Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji walks along one of the new murals in Cochin Ashrama
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Sri Swamiji performs Archana to Karya Siddhi Hanuman in Cochin Ashrama on 8th October 2009
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Sri Swamiji prays to Karya Siddhi Hanuman in Chennai Ashrama on 10th October 2009
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Maha Rudra Japa and Homa program was conducted on 9, 10th & 11th Oct.
Over 40 Veda Scholars chanted the sacred "Rudra Prashna".

Release of audio CD "Sachchidananda Swara Mala" - this album contains the 7 Saptaswara & 13 Swarakshara compositions of Pujya Sri Swamiji. Nada Nidhi Sri. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman (white dress) has set to tune these wonderful compositions. Sri. Ranga Babu, Executive Trustee of Chennai Ashrama, Sri. K. V. Aiyappan & Sri. S.P. Ramh are also seen.
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A Grand Music Concert by Sri. Abhishek Raghuram took place on 9th evening in Chennai Ashrama.
He was accompanied by flute, Veena, Violin, Mrudanga and rhythm pads.
The main piece of the concert was Sri Swamiji's composition "Jyoti Velagindi" in Pantuvarali Raga.
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A beautiful dance performance by members of the famed "Kalakshetra" Foundation on 10th Oct 2009 .
The theme was "Rukmini Kalyana"
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Divyanama Sankeertana by the renowned Sri. Udalur Kalyana Raman on 11th evening.
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Pujya Sri Swamiji blesses Smt. & Sri. K. V. Aiyappan during the Shashthi Poorthi Shanti
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Imposing Dakshinamoorthy statue atop the temple of the same deity in Acharpakkam Ashrama. Sri Swamiji briefly halted
in this Ashrama on his way to Kumbakonam town on 14th October 2009
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Sri Swamiji arrives in Patteswaram temple complex at 6 PM on 14th October 2009
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The statue of Sri. Govinda Deekshitar and his wife situated outside the shrine of Jnanambika Goddess in Patteswaram. Govinda Deekshitar was the chief minister of the local chieftain in 16th Century. He was the brother of Venkata Makhin, the great musicologist. They are the forefathers of Sri Swamiji
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The imposing tower of Thirunallar town's Dharba Aranya Ishvara Shiva temple
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The Swami of Dharmapuri Adheenam receives Pujya Sri Swamiji in Thirunallar temple on 15th October 2009
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Rudra Homa in Thirunallar in front of the shrine of Dhara Aranya Ishvara Shiva temple on 15th Oct 2009
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Pujya Sri Swamiji and Bala Swamiji watch the Abhisheka to Shaneeshvara Bhagavan idol in Thirunallar temple on 15th Oct 2009
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Elephant sways its trunk and welcomes Sri Swamiji in Thirukkadayoor Shiva temple on 15th Oct 2009
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Pujya Sri Swamiji goes around the ancient shrine of Shiva
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Sri Swamiji arrives in Pondicherry Ashrama at 8 PM on15th Oct 2009.
Sri. Vaithialingam, Chief Minister of Pondicherry on Sri Swamiji's right) and devotees welcome Sri Swamiji
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