Pujya Sri Swamiji in Srishaila for 3rd SDHS Volunteers Camp

SDHS 3rd Volunteers Camp

Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Datta Humane Services (SDHS) Volunteers reaped a bumper prize when Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji agreed to grace with His presence at the 3rd Volunteer camp in Srishailam from 24th to 25th October 2010.

The first SDHS camp in Haridwar Ashrama on the banks of Ganges and the second camp in Bhadrachalam on banks of Godavari river were great successes.

Sri Swamiji reached Srishailam on the noon of 23rd October. Srishailam is famous for Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Jyotirlinga temple and the Bhramaramba Devi Shakti Peetha temple. These twin very powerful temples in the dense Nallamalla forest region of Andhra Pradesh have been a very sacred place of pilgrimage for several Yugas.

On the evening of arrival, Sri Swamiji visited the temples. The temple authorities received Pujya Sri Swamiji with traditional honors, Purnakumbha and Veda Ghosha. The Srishailam temple has five Shivalinga shrines installed by Pandava brothers, five Lingas installed by Draupadi, Shivalingas representing the Pancha Tattvas, shrine for Akkamahadevi. The sanctum has 16 stone pillars and on the left of the sanctum sanctorum is Ratnagarbha Ganapathy shrine and to the right is Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali shrine. In front of the Sanctum is "Veera Shiro Mantapa" where warriors performed rites and penance to condone their sins. Sri Swamiji first took Darshana of Ratna Garbha Ganapathy and then witnessed the Arati of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Shivalinga and later personally performed Panchamrita Abhisheka to the Shivalinga. He then proceeded to the Nandi and took Darshana of the Shivalinga from the angle of the stone Nandi in the main hall. Thereafter Sri Swamiji visited the Vruddha Mallikarjuna Shiva Linga (supposedly the original Shiva Linga. But kept out of main worship shrine because of the various dents and holes caused by zillions of worshippers across several Yugas). Sri Swamiji later visited the Bhramaramba Devi temple and worshipped.

On 24th Morning, Sri Chakra Puja was held in the Krishnadevaraya Choultry, that was to be the place of volunteer camp. About 600 SDHS Volunteers had been invited to this special three day camp. Pujya Sri Swamiji, Sri. Y.V. Chandrashekar inaugurated the camp by switching on the inaugural lamp. Sri. Narayana Rao, Chief of SDHS, welcomed Sri Swamiji and gave a speech about the background, development and activities of SDHS. Sri Swamiji spoke briefly and announced that He would explain the inner story of Sri Swamiji's love for volunteers. Later, Sri Swamiji visited the land allotted to Datta Peetham by Srishailam temple for construction of Datta Peetham branch. In the evening, Satsang was held in the same venue.

On 25th morning, Sri Swamiji and volunteers took to the Krishna river backwaters of Srishailam dam. A ropeway (cable car) brings people from the Srishailam hilltop to Patalaganga (river banks). 14 boats carried the group. The hour long journey took everyone through the sylvan yet majestic hills of the area. Kadalivana (banana grove), Akkamahadevi caves are some of the important spots on the way. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the boat while it was sailing as volunteers watched the Puja from their boats. The three hour trip was very memorable.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji witnessed the amazing talents of various volunteers performing dance, drama, monologues, mimicry etc.

On 26th morning, all volunteers had Darshana of Bhramaramba Devi and Mallikarjuna Swamy. Mysore Ashrama scholars had performed Rudra Homa in Vruddha Mallikarjuna temple and Chandi Homa in Bhramaramba temple. Sri Swamiji arrived at the temple's Maha Dwaram and visited the Kanchi Kama Koti Matam branch in Srishailam. Thereafter, Sri Swamiji went to Mallikarjuna temple and performed Abhisheka with Rudra Homa Kalasha waters. Sri Swamiji then came to Homa Kunda and performed symbolic Purnahuti. He also performed Abhisheka to Vruddha Mallikarjuna Shiva Lingam. Then, Sri Swamiji sat under the "Triphala" tree (named so, but actually a peepul - sacred fig tree). All volunteers were seated around Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji led Shiva Panchakshari Mantra chant by volunteers. Chanting the powerful Shiva Mantra led by Parama Shiva himself in one of the most sacred of Shiva temples was a cosmic occurrence.

After a while, Sri Swamiji strode up the stairs of the Devi temple and yet another divine cosmic event unfolded. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Antaralaya and Kumkuma Puja to the Sri Chakra installed by Adi Shankara Acharya. Purnahuti of Chandi Homa followed. The temple officials and priests offered Prasadam to Sri Swamiji.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans at the Mantapa of "Addala Mantapa" (mirror hall). Sri Swamiji sang new Bhajan "Sri Girishvara Mallikarjuna Linga Rupa Vibho" in Abhogi Raga. Sri Swamiji sang several Shiva Bhajans and the Srishailam Shiva temple reverberated with the chant of Sri Swamiji. The final event was taking the Prasadam (dinner) with Sri Swamiji's Blessings and the volunteers felt - their live were fulfilled. With this the 3rd Volunteer conference concluded.

On 27th morning, Sri Swamiji took Darshana of Sakshi Ganapathy (witness Ganapathy) who records the visit of pilgrims to Srishailam area and no Punya occurs if one does not visit this shrine.

With this the amazing Yatra of Srishailam concluded