Pujya Sri Swamiji in Ukraine - 5th July

Pujya Sri Swamiji's maiden visit to Ukraine was a special one indeed. Ukraine, the second largest country in the eastern European bloc was sending devotees to Mysore Ashrama for some years now. They had invited Sri Swamiji to visit Ukraine. This 106th tour of Sri Swamiji started with this country.

Pujya Sri Swamiji traveled Mysore-Bangalore on the 4th July, Sunday. Bengaluru Ashrama had organised a Anagha Vrata program in Karyasiddhi Mantapa. Pujya Bala Swamiji had returned from Andhra tour to Bengaluru Ashrama. In the sacred presence of Their Holiness, the Anagha Vrata was held. Later that night, Pujya Sri Swamiji flew Bengaluru - Frankfurt - Kiev. Kiev is the political, cultural and financial capital of Ukraine. Pujya Sri Swamiji was received by Mr. Pavel and Ms. Evgenia at the Airport. Both of them were seeing Sri Swamiji for the first time, but their care for Sri Swamiji did not reflect the unease of a first meeting. Pujya Sri Swamiji camped in Maychok on the banks of Dnieper river which flows through the city of Kiev.

On the 6th morning, Pujya Sri Swamiji went around the city of Kiev, whose antiquity dates back to 4th Century AD. Since then, the city has grown and seen its share of development, wars, kings, religions, rebellions and is hailed as the mother of Slavic culture. But the overall and general impression one gets of Kiev is very positive. Sri Swamiji visited many of the great churches which dots the city and present a very beautiful setting of golden domes against verdant dark green forests. The city has a huge amount of greenery. Pujya Sri Swamiji visited Cyril church, Keivo Pescherskaya Lavra of St. Andrew, Podol area, St. Sofia Cathedral, and the museum of the great patriot, where a 62 meter tall steel statue of Motherland is situated on the hill. In the evening, Pujya Sri Swamiji received Kiev devotees and gave audience.

On the 7th morning, Sri Swamiji went on a boat ride on Dnieper river. The view of the city from the river is quite different and alluring. In the evening, a small Darshana program was held. About 100 people came and took Darshana of Sri Swamiji. A discourse was delivered, wherein Sri Swamiji explained the concept of Ganapathy, Shatchakras, Kriya Yoga and Pranayama. Sri Swamiji urged people to learn Yoga and Pranayama and practice them daily. A group from Odessa city who had come for Darshana, requested Blessings for their long cherished dream of holding a "Ati Rudra Maha Yaga" in Ukraine. Teachers from Kiev centre of Kaliji's "Tri Yoga" offered flowers and respects to Pujya Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji was very happy to see Kaliji's students and Blessed them.

On 8th morning, Sri Swamiji traveled to Trypillia town near Kiev where extensive archeological find of Neolithic settlements have been discovered. Sri Swamiji went around the museum. Extensive display of potteries and other finds from those times are tastefully displayed. When the guide showed us Swastika symbol, it was a moment of "hurray". It is mind boggling to learn that the civilization of Trypillia predates that of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and even Sumerian civilization. To view earthen ware and other equipment (original ones) used by people who lived 5000 years ago is a unsettling moment. Our oldest ancestors must have been roaming in this area. Yuri, a devotee mentioned that he had read somewhere that The Trypillia nomads had roamed towards India and had settled at the head of India which turned out to be Harappa and Mohenjedaro civilization. History can be entangling and enriching at the same time. Sri Swamiji later sat on the banks of Dnieper river (the river flows at Trypillia - like most civilization bloomed around a river).

In the afternoon, Sri Swamiji made a sudden decision to visit open air museum of folk architecture and rural life. This sprawling museum spread over 150 hectares is unique. Spread across this museum is original windmills and houses of different areas of Ukraine. There are windmills which are at least 200 years old. They have been carefully relocated to this museum. There, Sri Swamiji listened to a lady playing Bandura - a Ukrainian plucked string instrument. The melody she was playing was soulful. Sri Swamiji stood, listening to her for about 20 minutes. Sri Swamiji said that He was waiting for this music. The statement of Sri Swamiji - "Music is my religion, Music is my Language, Music is my expression" is indeed true. In the evening, Sri Swamiji spent quiet time on the banks of Dnieper river's marina area.

With this the first ever visit of Sri Swamiji to Ukraine concluded. From here, Sri Swamiji travels to St .Petersburg on 9th July 2010.