
Way
back in 1987, Sri Swamiji first visited Nagareshvara Swamy Shiva temple
in the Manginapudi beach village, 11 kilometers from Machilipatnam. This
is the only Shiva temple situated in the extreme east coast of Bay Of
Bengal Sea.
As the management of the temple was difficult, it was handed over to Sri
Swamiji in 1987 by Sri Nagareshvara Trust headed by Ketavarapu Radha Krishna
Murthy (now deceased) after the demise of original founder Sri Late Chinta
Soma Sundara Josyulu. Thereupon Sri Swamiji took up a number of improvement
activities by constructing a vast Mukha Mantapa in front of Nagareshvara
Shiva Temple and provided 12 Holy Teerthas (water wells) so that the people
who do not afford a trip to Rameshvara (in Tamil Nadu) can take holy bath
in all the Teerthas. Sri Swamiji then proclaimed that the dip here had
the same effect as in Rameshvara. This was inaugurated in 1993 January.
Earlier in 1991, a Dattatreya temple with Datta and Anagha Devi was inaugurated
(21st January 1991). A beautiful Guru Nilaya was constructed and inaugurated
on 9 January 1997. After providing the 12 wells, the visitors and pilgrims
spurted and the place became well known. Presently the visitors are very
high in the months of Kaartika (around November) and Magha (around February).
Today the Ashrama measures about 4.5 acres.
Apart from the daily Pujas, special festivals are observed. A school of
Vaikhaanasa Aagama is being run. Every Full moon Datta Homa and Shivaratri
of every month, Rudra Homa is performed. Ashrama maintains a cow protection
house, which houses several destitute, and old age cows. A specially designed
Navagraha temple was inaugurated on 9th January 1999. This sprawling temple
houses the nine planetary Devathas spaciously and each Graha can be worshipped
and Pradakshina performed individually or collectively.
In this visit of Sri Swamiji from 15th to 17th February, a hall was constructed
in front of Dattatreya temple and the same was named as Parama Pujya Sri
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji Shashtyabdi Purti Jnapika Samaavesha
Mantapa. A cement road laid from the main beach road to Datta temple was
inaugurated. On Magha Purnima, 16th February 2003, Sri Swamiji performed
the Kumbhabhishekam of the Datta Temple as 12 years had elapsed after
consecration. As it was Purnima day tens of thousands of people had come
for sea bath and many of those who came to Ashrama were fed.
Adding to this, the trust is also maintaining an old age home in Machilipatnam.
23 old people are residing in the home. They are provided food and given
care. Added to it 25 beggars are fed daily since 9th January 1999. Future
plans include a children playground.

Sri
Swamiji with Datta and Anagha Devi at Datta Rameshvara Kshetra in Manginapudi
Ashrama
***

12th
year re-Kumbhabhishekam of the Temple
***

Arati
to Lord Datta

Mangala
Arati
***

Devi
Temple in Manginapudi Ashrama
***

The
imaginative round dome of Navagraha Temple
***

Abhisheka
to Nagareshvara Shiva Linga
***

The
all decorated Nagareshvara Shrine
***

The
full moon shines resplendently on the decorative temple towers
***

Sri
Vidiyala Venkateswara Rao, disciple of Sri Swamiji inaugurates the Satsang
***

Two
buckets vie to fetch water for bathing
***

Tens
of thousands of people bathed in the 12 wells in the Ashrama on the full
moon day of 16th February 2003
***
****
The
scene from Swamiji's Guru Nilaya. The vast Bay of Bengal Sea lies in a
calm state
***

Sri
Swamiji performs oil Abhishekam to Shani idol in the Navagraha Temple.
****

Sri
Swamiji inaugurates the main arch in the entrance of the Temple.
****

Sri
Swamiji looks at the Ashrama complex from Guru Nilaya
***
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