Pujya Sri Swamiji in Trinidad ~ 30 July to 7th August 2011

Pujya Sri Swamiji in Trinidad & Tobago

On 30th July, Sadgurudeva touched down at Piarco International Airport at 12 AM and arrived at Dattatreya Yoga Center on the early morning of the 30th. As tired as He was, Sri Swamiji had Darshan at all the Devastanas there and then sat in the Universal Prayer Hall to the heart filled joy of the hundreds of devotees who had gathered there. Sri Ramesh Persad Maharaj, President of the DYC Trinidad, gave the welcome speech and then the devotees queued up to make their offerings to Sri Swamiji. One could feel the love and compassion of Sadgurudeva as He sat there as the devotees offered flowers, huge garlands, food and sweets. Sri Swamiji touched and blessed all the items and instructed that they be shared for everyone before retiring for the night.

On 30th evening, Sri Swamiji had Darshan of the magnificent 85 feet Karyasiddhi Hanuman and offered Purnahuti for Sudarshana Homa. Sri Swamiji then proceeded to the Prayer Hall where the last night of Srimat Bhagavat Purana Yagna was being conducted by Swami Brahma dev Upadya and Swami Manasa Datta. Sri Swamiji sat and attentively listened as both speakers concluded their discourses. Sadgurudeva like a painter putting the final touches on his painting, then concluded the seven night discourse with His divine words. Sri Krishna Roopchand then offered a garland to Sri Swamiji and presented Him with the memorandum and list of members of newly formed Sri Karyasiddhi Hanuman Youths, the youth arm of Dattatreya Yoga Centre Trinidad. Sri Swamiji then blessed a young boy from the Carapichaima area who placed in the top 100 of the secondary school entrance exams in Trinidad. Pujya Swamiji Himself conducted Kakada Arati at Datta Temple and Blessed Swami Brahma Dev Upadya and Swami Manasa.
Sri Swamiji spent the day at the Princes Town Ashrama on Sunday 31st August. After the long drive through the southern countryside, Sri Swamiji arrived at about 10.30 AM, offered Purnahuti for Maha Ganapathy Homa and performed Sri Chakra Puja. His Holiness blessed the Ashrama saying that He wanted to consecrate new Murtis for Lord Ganesh, Devi, and Shiva Linga. Swamiji blessed the devotees gathered and reminded them that their love for Him brought Him to Princes Town. He blessed the Ramdath family and fondly recalled the earlier years of visiting Princes Town.

On 1st August, Homa & Sri Chakra Puja were performed in the evening and a scintillating Divya Nama Sankeertana session concluded the day.
On 2nd August, Sri Swamiji visited Aripo Datta Ganga nestled in the hills of the Northern Range Mountains of Trinidad. Swamiji inaugurated new steel shed there and gave Darshan to devotees. Members of Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra welcomed Sadgurudeva with soft steel pan music. Being the Lord of Music Himself, it was not long that He could resist and soon joined along with the band. Sri Swamiji then did Pradakshina around the sacred Audumbara tree there and entered the sacred waters of Aripo River. Pujya Swamiji blessed the devotees present and performed ablutions in Aripo Datta Ganga. Seeing the delight and playful nature of Sri Swamiji in Aripo River, reminded one of His Holiness’ oneness with the Jala Tattva.
In the afternoon, Sri Swamiji visited and inaugurated long time devotee Michael James’ Shiva Ashta Siddhi Temple in Old Arima Road, Arima. Swamiji then returned to the Ashrama at Carapichaima.

3rd August ~ Ganapathy Homa Purnahuti was offered and Sri Chakra Puja performed by His Holiness in the morning. After Puja, Sri Swamiji visited the Jayalakshmi Children’s Home, one of the charitable arms of DYC Trinidad. The children eagerly received school bags from the divine hands of Sri Swamiji. There was a small cultural program in the evening attended by High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Malay Mishra. Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra performed accompanied by the Musical Master, Sri Swamiji, on His synthesizer. It was indeed a rare sight to behold! Swamiji then joined the band on the steel pan. The evening concluded with presentations and explanations by His Holiness on Puttugam, Puttugam videos on YouTube and the new Puttugam website.

4th August ~ Sri Swamiji offered Purnahuti for Maha Ganapathy Homa and performed Sri Chakra Puja. Mass Pada Puja was performed by over 100 devotees. Swami Brahma Dev Upadya did Pada Puja to the Lotus Feet of Sadgurudeva. Wonderful and lively Divya Nama Sankeertana session concluded the day’s programs.

5th August ~ Another branch of Datta Yoga Centre Trinidad, Sri Sachchidananda Yoga Ashrama in the Town of Penal was blessed by the arrival of His Holiness. Sri Chakra Puja and Ganapathy Homa were conducted. Sri Swamiji sang Dasachi Sampati in the evening’s Divya Nama Sankeertana session which could only be described as ineffable.

6th August ~ The final day of Pujya Swamiji’s sacred presence in Trinidad & Tobago was Swami Narahari Teertha’s Aradhana and was full of many activities. Ganapathy Homa and Sri Chakra Puja began the day’s proceedings followed by Aradhana Puja. Reggae Group Love Vibrations gave a moving performance during Sri Chakra Puja followed by Pundit Abhedanand of Trinidad. Sri Swamiji launched new DYC Trinidad website and Dollar a Day Seva Program. The Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, The Honourable Kamal Persad- Bissessar, had Darshan of Sri Swamiji in the afternoon. She was accompanied by Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, Member of Parliament for the Area, Ms. Ramona Ramdial and Minister of Local Government, Honourable Chandradesh Sharma who also had the divine Darshan of His Holiness. Swami Velananda of Hinduism Today also came to Sri Swamiji. The Honourable Prime Minister inaugurated the Healing and Meditation Music session “Narahari Teertha Raga Sagara” Concert in the evening. Throughout the day, Sadgurudeva fondly recalled His childhood memories and told stories of His Father and Guru, Narahari Teertha Swami. Farewell program concluded the night with a hilarious play by Sri Karyasiddhi Hanuman Youths on the local Trinidadian interpretation of the Ramayana. Sri Swamiji then cut a cake with the Trustees and Youth Group to conclude the seven day tour of Trinidad.

Sri Swamiji departed at 8 AM on the 7th August for Venezuela.

One interesting and historic note on this tour was that each day’s programs were broadcast live on Yogasangeeta, even the programs at the branch centres. This was a first for Trinidad.

Darshan of Anagha Sameta Dattatreya Swamy at Datta Yoga Center on arrival - 30 July 2011

Arrival in Datta Yoga Center, Trinidad - 30 July 2011

Sri Swamiji Listens to Bhagavata Purana discourse conclusion by Swami Manasa Datta

Sri Chakra Puja in Princess Town

Sri Dulchan Ramdath of Princes Town offers appreciation to Sri Swamiji

Aripo Muni Raja ~ Sadgurudeva arrives at Aripo River

Audumbara Pradakshina

Sri Swamiji in Aripo river with devotees

Sadgurudeva and Aripo Datta Ganga

Abhisheka to Lord Shiva after the river bath

Inauguration of new steel shed near Aripo river

Sri Swamiji with children of Jayalakshmi Children's Home

Children receive school bags from Sadgurudeva

Sri Swamiji joins the famous Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra

Sri Swamiji blesses Swami Brahma dev Upadya

Sri Chakra Puja in Penal Ashrama

Swami Nara Hari Teertha Aradhana on 6th August 2011 at Datta Yoga Center

The Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, The Honourable Kamal Persad- Bissessar, had Darshan of Sri Swamiji.
She was accompanied by Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, Member of Parliament for the Area, Ms. Ramona Ramdial and
Minister of Local Government, Honourable Chandradesh Sharma.