The first was the Music for Meditation and Healing concert in the Edward Nash Theater on 15th July 2000 at 6 PM. The hall was full with about 1100 people. The concert commenced with a welcome speech by Sri Satyam Upadrashta. Sri C. Upendra Mayor of Dayton area lit the inaugural lamp and Sri Murthy of Lexington, Kentucky offered the Vastram to Sri Swamiji.
The main healing Raga was Keeravani. Sri Swamiji moved among the audience touching selected people. The Tani Avarthanam (Rhythm solo) was going on the stage. Sri Ramesh on Mridangam, Sri Subash Chandran on Ghatam and Sri Venkat on Kanjira participated in the Tani Avarthanam.
On Sunday the 16th July, Guru Purnima was celebrated at Durga Temple in Dayton, New Jersey. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at 10 AM. Smt. Shashi Nanda Kumar, sister of the illustrious Carnatic Singer Sri Rajkumar Bharati sang Bhajans and compositions in Carnatic classical style. Maha Ganapati Homam was performed. To mark the occasion of Guru Purnima, Pada Puja was performed to Sri Swamiji. Later Sri Swamiji gave the Guru Purnima Speech. (CLICK HERE FOR THE TEXT OF SRI SWAMIJI'S GURU PURNIMA SPEECH) Sri Swamiji visited the Durga temple construction site and was taken around by the President of the temple and the priest Sri Joshi ji. Sri Swamiji touched and Blessed the idols which were still in the package.
Then Sri Swamiji materialised Vibhooti from a flower garland. He said that it was for sick and distressed persons. Thereafter each person came and offered Pranams to Sri Swamiji. Before leaving Sri Swamiji visited the temporary altar of the temple and Arati was performed. Sri Swamiji then proceeded to the group of Bhajan singers and joined them. Sri Swamiji led them to sing one Bhajan on each deity that will be consecrated when the temple is completed. This impromptu gesture of Sri Swamiji was very moving.
In the evening Satsang was held at the senior citizens hall in Dayton.
On 17th evening Sri Swamiji visited Trimurthy Bhavan in Queens area of New York. Sri Swamiji was received with the Tassa Drumming of Trinidad. The President of the temple Mr. Dhanpaul Naraine welcomed Sri Swamiji and in his speech profusely thanked Sri Swamiji for visiting their temple over the invitations of other temples. Sri Swamiji conducted Bhajan session and spoke. Then Sri Swamiji materialised Vibhuti from the flower garland given by Sri Dhanpal earlier. He also materialised a Gowri Shankar Rudraksha for the temple priest Pandit Chunelall Naraine. The audience had a flavor of Caribbean nationals from Guyana, Trinidad, Surinam etc. Sri Swamiji concluded the visit at 8 PM.
On 18th July Sri Swamiji left New Jersey for Malibu in California at 5.45 PM.
Photos of the events
Edward
Nash Auditorium
Sri
Satyam Upadrashta welcomes Sri Swamiji and the troupe
Dr.Rama Murthy of Lexington, Kentucky offers Vastram to Sri Swamiji
As
the welcome Speech continued, Sri Swamiji held the Rose Quartz crystal
Wand to the forehead.
The
Music session in progress.
Sri Swamiji - Synthesizer, Jaitra on Violin, Kittu on Harmonium
Sheetal on support key board, Manu on Guitar, Ramesh on Mridangam,
Subash Chandran on Ghatam, Venkat on Kanjira, Radhakrishna on Tabala.
Sri Swamiji goes around the audience.
A handicapped baby being Blessed by Sri Swamiji
Sri
Swamiji on the stage gazing at the audience.
GURU PURNIMA PHOTOS
Sadguru Deva
on Guru Purnima day- 16th July 2000
Sri Swamiji joins the Bhajan singing group.
Sri Dhanpaul Ramnaraine gives welcome speech in Trimurti Bhavan
Sri
Swamiji in the sprawling altar in Trimurti Bhavan.
Most of the popular Indian deities were on the altar.