Celebrating our Arrival in India- Mysuru Ashrama

The morning of September 25, 2019 was unlike any other. Having left Trinidad on the evening of September 23 (less than 48 hours earlier) we got a very wonderful surprise that Annmarie, a very close member of our Datta family was travelling the same route and on the same flight as we were with her nephew Shivam. Our arrival in India on the morning of September 25 was in every sense a true indication that we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

Having spent a rather super hectic week the week before doing so many things that needed to be done, the morning of September 25, 2019 marked our arrival in India. After a delay of 1hour 45 minutes at Heathrow Airport the day before we arrived in Bangalore for what prove to be a most beautiful sunrise as it was unlike any other and had we arrived when we were scheduled to then there would be nothing of the sort to see.

The clouds were majestic and white. It can easily be equated to what we see in the movies when we see the heavenly regions and the captain made our descent truly scenic and memorable. It lay the perfect introduction for a journey of a lifetime meant to be experienced only true your own eyes rather than be coloured through someone else’s vision.

Our arrival to India was further welcomed by our dear Datta brother Mohana Datta who did everything to ensure that our journey to the Ashrama which was 3 hours away was comfortable and safe. On our arrival at the Ashrama we met other members of our Datta family from Trinidad- Kesh Datta, Auntie Indira, Uncle Sam and Auntie Christine. We were also fortunate to meet with Uncle Sheetal soon after.

While everything felt surreal we knew it was in every sense heaven on earth, Utopian but more as it is purely blissful and every thing and every happening echoed that all is well, all is right and this is the best place to be. Words are inadequate to fully describe our visit to the Ashrama as this presented a very scenic, peaceful, soothing atmosphere in a tranquil and beautiful Ashrama which is of idyllic beauty and is filled with love, life and meaning. A further blessing was our room which provides an absolute perfect view of Nada Mantapa.This was not all.

Walking around in an ambience that is a sanctuary was and is always a blessing. As one with unwavering faith in Sadguru it is the truest representation which shows plainly that our dear Sadguru, our beloved Appaji, His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda gives His love to all life and all creation. To be in Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama is nothing short of a blessing. To have His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda with us and to be in such close proximity to Him is a great blessing and to have His Holiness Sri Datta Vijayananda Theertha Swamiji present is also a huge blessing.

With Lord Venkateshara temple, Lord Hanuman temple, Lord Datta, Lord Ganapathy, Rajarajeshwari Maa and all other deities present as well as Shuka Vana, Gau Shala, Bonsai, Kriya Yoga, Nada Mantapa, the Vishwam Museum, the birth pillars and Ayurvedic Medicine all in close proximity pure love is in full abundance. After a night’s rest we were given an even greater opportunity of a lifetime that some only dream of and others may be ignorant of. Kesh Datta, Auntie Indira, Uncle Sam and Auntie Christine invited us to join them on a journey to Mekadattu, Jayalakshmi Puram and Sogala. This journey allowed us to see and experience so much- to visit Appaji’s birthplace, to see the long journey Sri Jayalakshmi Mata would have taken before Appaji was born, to spend time in the Ashram where Sri Jayalakshmi Mata spent so much of her time meditating, to sleep in the hall of the temple in Jayalakshmi Puram, to understand the significance and importance of Jayalakshmi Puram as it relates to both Appaji’s parents, to walk through the village where Appaji lived, to visit the Hanuman temple near His home, to see where His Holiness lived, to witness puja to Sri Jayalakshmi Mata, to see the Shiva Lingam that tells so much about Appaji’s father Sri Narasimha Sastry, to visit Jayalakshmi Mata’s Nilayam, to visit the resting place of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata’s parents.It was in every sense an opportunity to get a deeper understanding and awareness of Appaji’s life and Jayalakshmi Mata’s life but also an opportunity to get their blessings on this very important journey. More so we got to do it as a family. Surely there is no greater blessing we could ask for. Surely there is no better welcome we could ask for.

https://youtu.be/Fqgaq2lYmtA

Having arrived in time for Navratri celebrations our days are filled with activity. Each morning we are greeted by chanting and prayer. Each morning we witness the procession and the dancing. Each member participating in activity is fully dedicated to serving. With song, music and dance the activity begins each day of the Navratri festivities. His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda and His Holiness Sri Datta Vijayananda Theertha Swamiji enter the chariot that makes its way to Nada Mantapa to commence the daily proceedings there.With so much to experience here we are sure that the rest of our visit will be equally as memorable and filled with continued blessings. It is the opportunity of a lifetime and it is one we intend to make the most of. More so it is one we will always cherish. 2019 is another most memorable year for us! Om Sri Matre Namaha! Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji Ki Jai! Sadguru Maharaj Ki Jai! Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji Ki Jai!