Satsangh at Sri Saradha Devi Seva sangh (K.K.Nagar) - 18th Feb'17

18th Feb'17:

A day with rapturous Inner peace !

On this auspicious day, My Guru - Sri Sri Thakur's Birthday, (Data of birth - Thakur was born on 18th February 1836), myself along with my mom visited Sri Saradha Mutt by early morning 9 A.M

Offered our pranams to Holy Trios, and had quality time with Swadharmaprana Mathaji. Did Jabas till 12 P.M., Had lunch at Mutt.

Krishna informed about the Satsangh to be held at Hari om Vidhyalaya, the same evening and asked us to attend the same.

Sathsangh at Hari Om Vidhyalaya

Mahalakshmi aunty organized the event. Maharaj who was about to give speech that day couldn't reach due to political problems at Chennai.

Holy Trios at K.K.Nagar

We did Bhajans, chanted the Glory of Thakur (Archanai), Arathi. 

Blessed evening with a Sathsang..

Protector Gods of Coimbatore - Koniamman & Kottai Eswarar

This post is about my visit to the temples of  Protector Gods of Coimbatore - Arulmigu Koniamman & Kottai Eswarar. I have been to these temples many times from my childhood.

24th Feb'17:

On this fine Friday morning, myself along with Bhavani Chitti booked an auto to Koniamman temple

Arulmigu Koniamman temple (Temple 30)
Address: Koniamman Temple,
Poompuhar Nagar, Ukkadam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu - 641 001

Koniamman temple

Koniamman temple is situated in the heart of the Coimbatore, Big Bazaar Street.

14 days - Car Festival celebrations are going on at the temple now. The festival starts with Agnichaattu and ends with Vasantha Uthsavam. Thiruvilakku pooja was planned on the day of our visit.

Preparations for Vilakku Pooja

It was over crowded at the temple. We had a great dharshan of Koniamman. Offered our Humble prayers to Koniamman and also other deities of the temple Panchamuga Vinayakar, Lord Muruga, Aadhi Koniamman & Navagrahas.

Then visited Kottai Eswarar temple

Arulmigu Sangameswarar temple (Temple 31)
Address: Arulmigu Sangameswarar Temple, Eswaran Kovil Street, Town Hall, Opposite Poombukar, Ukkadam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu - 641 001

Sangameswarar temple

As it was Maha Shivarathri day, Visited Arulmigu Sangameswarar temple also called as Kottai Eswarar temple. 

At Kottai Eswarar temple

Main deities of the temple are Kottai Eswarar & Akilandeswari, offered our prayers there. 

Maha Shivarathiri pooja preparations were going on during the time of our visit. As we had other plans for Maha Shivarathiri, offered pranams at this temple and started.

Most Blessed Birthday - 17th Dec'16

17th Dec'16:

Most blessed Birthday with unconditional blessings of Holy Trios & Mathajis.

At Sri Saradha Mutt

Early morning, visited Sri Saradha Mutt along with my mom, offered my humble pranams & Chanted Jabas.

Around 11 A.M, visited Sri Ramakrishna Math, T,Nagar and got blessings from Sri Sri Thakur.

Sri Sri Thakur at Ramakrishna Math

After prayers, visited Sri Ramakrishna school and offered lunch to 120 kids at Ramakrishna school. Yadhunatha Maharaj helped me to book for the same.

Sponsored food for Kids

Kids at Shri Ramakrishna school 

Prayers before lunch

Had wonderful time with the kids during lunch. They all sang 'Happy Birthday...' Blissful moments !!

We had lunch at Sri Saradha Mutt, Brahmacharinis made special Payasam for my Birthday, offered to Guru maharaj and served us.

After lunch, spoke to Swadharma prana Mathaji for long time. Mathaji gifted me the following 3 books written by my Guru Ajayapranaji

Women who lived in God - Series 1

Women who lived in God - Series 2

Women who lived in God - series 3

Wonderful gifts for life time.. Evening went to Kalikambal temple at Mannadi and had dinner with my mom at Saravana Bhavan.

Most Blessed Birthday !!

Chennaiyil Vivekananda - 6th Feb to 14th Feb

10th Feb'17:

Swamiji Vivekananda got to stay at Chennai  - Vivekananda house for 9 days after the Triumphant tour to Chicago in 1897. Those 9 days (Feb 6th - Feb 14th) will be celebrated so grandly as 'Vivekanandar Navarathiri' every year at Vivekanandar Illam

Vivekanandar Illam, Chennai (Temple 29)
Address: Vivekanandar Illam,
Kamaraj Salai (Marina beach road), Neelam Basha Dargapuram, Near Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600 005

At Vivekananda House 

 On this Friday evening, I have booked cab from office and reached Vivekananda Illam around 5pm.

My mother accompanied by Swadharmaprana Mathaji & a Brahmacharini reached the Illam from Sri Saradha Mutt.

Evening they served us with High Tea, it was another blessed day to have food with Mathajis, Special thanks to Swami Ramakrishnananda. Then we have offered our prayers to Holy Trios at the shrine. It was the first Shrine built in South India.

Bhajans by School kids.

Then we got to see the cultural performances. School kids performed Bhajans, followed by Flute performance by Jaswanth

Flute Performance

After the flute performance, Maharaj gave wonderful speech quoting the life incidents of Shri Shri Thakur & Swamiji Vivekananda.

Maharaj's speech

Finally, a retired police officer gave an inspiring speech with the topic - Nammil Vivekanandar.

Thoughtful Evening!!
Swamiji Vivekananda ki Jai !!!

Thiruvalangadu temples Visit - 21st Aug'16

21st Aug'16:

On this fine Sunday afternoon, myself along with mom started to Thiruvalangadu via train. We got down at Thriuvalangadu station, took an auto and reached Thiruvalangadu Bhadrakaaliamman temple.

Thiruvalangadu Bhadrakaaliamman temple (Temple 26)
Address: Bhadrakaaliamman temple,
Thiruvalangadu Road, Dist. Tiruvallur, Thiruvalangadu, Tamil Nadu - 609810

Thiruvalangadu - Bhadrakaliamman temple 

This temple has got a history that Lord Shiva gave a boon to the presiding deity - Bhadrakaali that the Kaaliamman should be worshiped before Lord Shiva.

Bhadrakaaliamman temple 

 We had a good dharshan at the temple, offered our prayers and then started to Thriuvalangadu Vadaranyeswarar temple

Thriuvalangadu Vadaranyeswarar temple (Temple 27, Paadal Petra Stalam 1)
Address:  Sri Vadaranyeswarar temple,
Thiruvalangadu Road, Dist. Tiruvallur, Thiruvalangadu, Tamil Nadu - 609810

Vadaranyeswarar temple - Thiruvalangadu

Vada Aranyeswarar temple is one of the 'Paadal Petra Stalam' & also one of the famous cosmic dance halls of Lord Shiva - (Gem Hall) - Rathna Sabha.

Vadaranyeswarar temple - Front View

The presiding deity of the temple - Lord Shiva is a Swoyambhumurthy here, and his consort Vandarkuzhali amman is in a separate Shrine. We have offered our prayers to both the deities. 

The temple has a close connection with one of the 63 Nayanamars - Karaikkal ammaiyar (Nayanmar 1). She walked with her hands to Thiruvalangadu. Lord Shiva was delighted by her dedication and offered a boon to her that she wont be having rebirth. After worshiping here we took to train to Thiruvallur

Thiruvallur - Veera Raghava Perumal (Temple 28, Dhivyadesam 1)
Address:  Sri Vaidhya Veera Raghava swamy temple, Adjacent to Temple Tank, Sannadhi Street, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu 602001

We got down at Thiruvallur station, took a share auto to reach Thiruvallur - Veera Raghava perumal temple.

Veera Raghava Perumal temple

The temple belongs to one of the 108 Dhivadesams. The presiding deity of the temple is Veera Raghava Perumal. 

We have offered our prayers to Perumal and Kanakavalli thayar, also to other deities of the temple - Lord Rama, Lord Anchaneya etc.,

Had blissful evening at the temples of Thiruvalangadu. Blessed day !!

Niveditha Hostel Opening ceremony at Salur - 9th Feb'17

9th Feb'17:

It was a real miracle visit !! Previously I didn't have plans to visit Salur, and booked for my mom alone. By Guru maharaj's order, the previous day they informed me at office that there was less work load for next 2 days and if needed can take off, immediately I ringed up Swadharma prana Mathaji and informed the same. She intimated me that one person who already booked couldn't travel and I can travel on behalf of that person.

Sri Saradha Mutt at Salur (Temple 25)
Address: Sri Saradha Mutt,
Salur, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu

Early morning around 6.am, myself with my mom visited Sri Saradha Mutt, T.Nagar. From there our group of volunteers traveled to Salur via Deluxe bus.

Holy Trios at Salur

First we offered our Humble pranams to Holy Trios at the Shrine. Then, reached the venue (1st Floor) where poojas were performed.

Holy Rituals

Dhivavradha prana Mathaji, Admabodhprana Mathaji & Niveditha Mathaji performed Homem & other Holy Rituals.

Children at Salur Village belong to Irula tribes where literacy rate is negligible. Mathajis of Sri Sarada Mutt adopted the village and providing quality education, food & Clothes to the people.

Children at Salur Village

Niveditha Hostel was opened for those kids. Those kids participated in various cultural performances.

Most Revered Amalaprana Mathaji gave speech about Niveditha. Bhakthi Prana Mathaji, Ramaprana Mathaji along with Amalaprana Mathaji blessed all the devotees.

Most Revered Amalaprana Mathaji, Ramaprana Mathaji & Bhaktiprana Mathaji

Then we had lunch with the kids. After lunch, Vani aunty took us to various places and explained the history of the villagers, about the activities of Saradha mutt for the improvement of Irula tribes.

Swamiji Vivekananda's Statue

Also, a statue was built for Swamiji Vivekananda. 

Captivating effort by the Mathajis of Saradha Mutt & a worthy visit !!

Swamiji's Ancestral House & Kolkata centers visit - Dec'16

27th Dec'16

Swamiji's Ancestral House (Temple 21)
Address: Swamiji's Ancestral House,
105, Vivekananda Road, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700 006

After finishing our lunch at Udbodhan (Holy Mother's house), Madhanji drove to Swamiji's Ancestral House.

Swamiji's Vivekananda's Ancestral House

It was a wonderful collection of various photographs, video clips, artifacts related to Swamiji. At 1st floor, they played a video of Swamiji's childhood life (till 12 years).

We got to read various incidents of Swamiji's life. Also glimpsed another video, the story about how the house was renovated. Various photographs of Dutta family were placed and also was able to view the family tree of Dutta family

At Swamji's house

Inside there is a Shiva temple, where Swamiji's mother used to offer poojas frequently. We did meditation for few minutes there and then started.

Shyampukur Bati (Temple 22)
Address: Shyampukur Bati,
55A, Shyampukur St, Shaymbazar, Hati Bagan, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700 004

Next, we visited Shyampukur Bati, Sri Sri Thakur stayed at this place for few days for his medical treatment. A shrine was built on the same place where Thakur stayed

Shrine at Shyampukur Bati

We have offered our Pranams and got blessings from Holy Trios.

Balram Mandir (Temple 23)
Address: Balram Mandir,
7, Girish Ave, Bag Bazar Colony, Sovabazar, Baghbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700 004

Then we visited Balram Mandir, where Guru Maharaj stayed for few days and blessed all his devotees. Shrine was built on the hall where he stayed and blessed his devotees.

Shrine at Balram Mandir

Another shrine was available for Puri Jagannath.
After offering our humble pranams, started to BaraNagar Math.

Baranagar Math (Temple 24)
Address: Baranagar Math, 125/1, Pramanick Ghat Road, Kutighat, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700 036

Offered our prayers & Pranams to Guru Maharaj, Sri Sharada Maa & Swamiji Vivekananda at Baranagar Math

Shrine at Baranagar Math

Also attended evening Arathi at Belur Math on this blessed day !!

Guru Maharaj ji Jai !
Maha Mayi Ki Jai !!
Swamiji Vivekananda ki Jai !!!