Sri Swamiji arrived in Trinidad on 5th night at 11.40 PM. He was warmly welcomed at the Port-of-Spains's Piarco International airport amongst others by Sri Ganese Ramdial, President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Chandresh, Minister of public works. Sri Swamiji arrived in Datta Yoga Center in Carapichaima in central part of the island nation at 1 AM. Sri Swamiji was enthusiastically and reverentially received by hundreds of Bhajans singing devotees. After Sri Swamiji had Darshan of Lord Dattatreya and Anagha Devi in the temple, Sri Swamiji ascended the throne and announced that Darshan of a Sadguru in the early hours of Sunday was very beneficial. Nada Sangama, A steel band orchestra welcomed Sri Swamiji by playing the Gam Gam Ganapathy Bhajan. They presented to Sri Swamiji a steel pan. Sri Swamiji wished that the steel pan troupe visits Mysore and gives a performance in the 60th birthday celebration of Sri Swamiji in the year 2002.

Puja and Homa took place on 6th and 7th. Sri Swamiji discussed several Ashrama related matters. Sri Swamiji also announced that the proposed Venkateswara Temple would start after the 60th Birthday celebrations of Sri Swamiji in the year 2002.

On 7th August, the Shravana Ashtami day, Nara Hari Teertha Aradhana, celebrating the communion of Nara Hari Teertha, the great father of Sri Swamiji. It took place at 6 PM in Datta Yoga Center. Hundreds of people had gathered to witness the ceremonies connected. Special Abhishekams to Lord Shiva and rituals took place amidst vigorous chanting and prayers in a very reverential background and in the setting of a great photograph of Nara Hari Teertha which was decorated amply. Sri Swamiji explained the significance of his link with his father, the attitude he had for his father as a teacher. He also reminisced several occasion in his boy hood and youth where his father became instrumental in giving proper directions to Sri Swamiji's life. There were many narration of incidents referring to Nara Hari Teertha and his Sadhana, his acceptance of asceticism and so on. Sri Swamiji even mentioned the bad qualities of Swami Nara Hari Teertha which was not liked by Swamiji at all. Smoking of Beedi (a tobacco product) was one which was never accepted by Swamiji which even after many requests the Swami Nara Hari Teertha never explained the reason. The whole event ended up with Swamiji's dispensing "Rave Unde", a sweet ball Prasadam (This was the favorite of Nara Hari Teertha) to all the devotees. On the whole it was a ecstatic and elevated atmosphere in Datta Yoga Center.

A press meet was held in Datta Yoga Center, where representatives of Trinidad media including Daily Express, The Guardian and Mid Day news etc., participated. Sri Swamiji answered many questions, which were posed to Him. They included the prediction to the state of affairs in this year and coming years pertaining to the general elections, Sri Swamiji's personal view in the present political situation, the natural catastrophe that would be predicted. Sri Swamiji answered that nature took care of all such matters in a meticulous way and there was no need for anxiety at all. Sri Swamiji looked beyond the aspects of Good and bad and he has already blessed this great country, Trinidad and Tobago for the past many years. When asked why many saints of India do not leave India while Sri Swamiji travels extensively, He said that it was purely a personal view of each kind of saint who always wished for the welfare of people even while being away whereas Sri Swamiji wanted to be accessible to all people even in Trinidad and Tobago by personally coming down each year amidst his busy schedule elsewhere. Sri Swamiji explained the method of musical healing, that he used music as a medium and Ragas as inspiration to elevate His psychic energy levels so that He would communicate with the diseased persons in the audience and help heal them. Sri Swamiji also said that he respected all religions and have a unique definition of Dharma as the fundamental force which drives man to seek peace and joy in this world. These are crucial times when Trinidadian should involve in much more spiritual seeking beyond punditry, rituals, ceremonies and so on. He blessed that all Trinidadian should live in Harmony thereby ensuring good social progress and better life. Sri Swamiji said that one of the reasons for his attraction to Trinidad is that he lived here in His past birth in this country which magnetically brings him down to this part of island.

His Holiness Sri Swamiji was invited by the Prime Minister of Trinidad of Tobago, Mr. and Mrs. Basdeo Panday and Sri Swamiji responded to their call by visiting them at 11.30 AM. The Prime Minister received Sri Swamiji with traditional Purna Kumbham and Diya lamp, duly honoring Sri Swamiji for this exclusive visit, which was a rare one. Sri Swamiji had a 50 minutes discussion with Hon'ble Prime Minister on several spiritual matters, social issues and also the future of Governments to be elected in Trinidad. The Prime Minister analysed the situation pragmatically by listing out his commitments and achievements to this country in the past five years such as free secondary education for all the children in the country, modernization of Piarco airport, Pure piped drinking water to all in Trinidad and many of the social development projects and giving ascent to education, in industrial growth, the economy has improved to a great extent. The leadership in the future government with definitely take Trinidad and Tobago to great progress. He wanted Sri Swamiji's Blessings for these progressive plans. He also reminisced his visit to India and the ample Blessings he received from Sri Swamiji in Mysore Datta Peetham and how he has spiritedly worked because of the Blessings. Sri Swamiji apprised him of the latest developments in Datta Peetham, Mysore including the 60 ft high Dharma Dhwaja and Swamiji's interest in Trinidad and Tobago, His links with the Aripo river which Sri Swamiji calls as the Ganges of Trinidad and Tobago. Sri Swamiji spent a few minutes in private with the Prime Minister in his prayer room. The Prime Minister recalled Joyously that for the first time a great Hindu saint of Sri Swamiji's stature visited the Prime Minister's residence. The Prime Minister applauded the good work done by the Datta Yoga Center of Trinidad and Tobago.

Photos of the events so far.....

Sri Swamiji is welcomed at the Piarco Airport -
From Left to right - Mr. Ganese Ramdial - President of the Senate of Trinidad,
Dr. Dan, renown Pediatrician, Mr. Chandresh Sharma, Minister of Public works,
Mr. Sherwin Seanath, Lawyer and Trustee of Datta Yoga Center.

Sri Swamiji arrives in Datta Yoga Center, Carapichaima, Trinidad
at 1 AM on 6th August 2000

Sri Swamiji plays the Steel Pan (musical instrument of the West Indies).
This was presented to Sri Swamiji upon arrival

Sri Swamiji in Datta Temple in Datta Yoga Center

Bhajan session in progress in the sprawling prayer hall at Datta Yoga Center

Sri Swamiji materialized a Ganapathy to Mrs. Beverley Siddhi Ganapati of Barbados
She had dreamt of Swamiji and Ganapati

Sri Swamiji inspects the new Datta and Anagha idols shipped to Trinidad

Sri Nara Hari Teertha Aradhana in progress

Sri Swamiji performs Arati to the photos of Nara Hari Teertha on Aradhana Day

Aradhana

Sri Swamiji distributed "Rave Unde" - a much liked Indian sweet of Nara Hari Teertha

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