Posted in Being Prayerful, Blessings from Appaji, Celebrate Today, Love and Blessings, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji

Celebrating Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman’s Anniversary and Appaji’s Birthday!

Jaya Guru Datta!

Yes, you have read the title correctly!

“It’s a Happy, Happy, Happy Day! It’s a Holy, Holy Day! “

These are the words which have been playing in my head all day, because for us (meaning the devotees in Trinidad), the celebration is two-fold! The difference is, I am hearing it in Sri Bala Swamiji’s voice and the only other song I stopped to sing today was “Vande Santam Hanumantam” when I heard it in Pt Ganesh Maharaj’s TikTok video being sung by His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda!

This was one of the first bhajans of His Holiness that I heard and today I was reminded of my initial visits to the majestically tall Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti which stands tall in Carapichaima. It is one many Datta devotees enjoy listening to, so I am sharing the YouTube link here.

Why is the celebration two-fold?

Let me explain:

  1. June 9, 2022 marks the 19th Anniversary of the consecration of the 85ft Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti by His Holiness Pujya Appaji.
  2. At the time when this post is being written, it is already Jyestha Sudha Ekadasi in India. It is also the day when we celebrate the Lunar Birthday of His Holiness and we wish His Holiness a very Happy 80th Birthday!

The 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti here in Trinidad is one that reminds us day after day, how blessed we truly are here in Trinidad. No amount of words can ever say how truly grateful we are!

As the day began, for me it didn’t feel like one where I wanted to be rushing and sorting work! Yes, I know work is important and it takes so much of my time, but it was a day when I wanted a different pace and in more ways than one, I got it.

The energy, the peace and the way the entire day unfolded was proof of it!

For those wondering about Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman, please allow me to share an excerpt from a post on Trinidad Hanuman Datta Mala, “Apart from that, Sri Appaji has always realised from His early visits, that our ancestors brought Hanuman worship in their hearts and minds and would sing his Chalisa if physical worship was not always possible, because of the difficulties they faced! This Hanuman devotion sustained them and helps us now also to overcome all obstacles!”

Please take the time to click on https://www.dattamalatt.com/post/happy-19th-consecration-anniversary and read the article in its entirety. Also, please take the time to view the video on the page in its entirety.

As described in “The Journey- Memoirs of A Devotee of Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji,”  by Sheetal Prasadji, a very humble and gentle soul who is widely known as a musician and author, who is Trinidadian by birth, “On that most auspicious day, Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, Pontiff of Datta Peetham and Spiritual Master to countless devotees all over the world, by His Divine Sankalpa, consecrated the Karya Siddhi Anjaneya Temple and later stated, Now He had synthesized Himself with Sri Hanuman and taken permanent residence in my ‘Bhoomi’ my home land (Chapter 31).

For those wondering about the consecration day itself, please take the time to view this video posted by Hanuman Hoffman. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=YcgT5S_1360 Also take the time to view this video posted below:

With an abundance of posts on Social Media, namely on Facebook to mark this historic occasion, the energy and celebration were evident. They were all filled with so much love with several special moments and memories shared by Datta devotees. For most of the day messages and posts celebrating the anniversary of Lord Hanuman dominated social media and messages celebrating Appaji’s birthday were evident as soon as it was either morning in India or it was morning in other parts of the world.

What made my day was being able to view Puja and Purnahuti live from Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Ashrama and being able to hear Appaji’s message as before one of the live sessions concluded. It gave me renewed energy to do one of the things I love most- writing!

Today was a day of peace, a day of giving thanks and a day for counting blessings! It was also a day of positivity and gentle reminders.

Happy 80th Birthday year Appaji!

In closing I take this opportunity to wish Appaji a very Happy Birthday 80th Birthday year to You! Please accept our humble Prostrations at Your Lotus Feet!

Posted in Blessings from Appaji, Hanuman Day of Prayer, Hanuman Jayanti, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji

Celebrating Hanuman Jayanti 2019!

Jaya Guru Datta!

Sita Ram! Happy Hanuman Jayanti 2019! Om Namo Hanumate Namaha!

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Photo Credit: Shivani Ramoutar

 

Today Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago join with Hindus around the world to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti! Trinidad is Hanuman Land as Lord Hanuman stands tall at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima at 85 feet tall- the tallest Hanuman murti outside of India. 

 

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This Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti (so named because of His presence at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre)  stands tall and majestic, greeting His Guru Lord Surya as each day starts, welcomes devotees who come from around the world to see Him, He listens to them and their prayers and offers comfort, courage and solutions.

Lord Hanuman

 

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

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Photo Credit: Shiva Jeremiah

Like other Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, for Hanuman Jayanti 2019 devotees join in the signature colour red to make offerings of roat, dried coconut, paan leaves, flowers and host of other fruits and sweets that are offered to the revered God-dutiful servant of Lord Rama- the epitome of humility, discipline, strength and courage whose greatness we learn of in the pages of the Holy Ramayana. More so we learn of His patience, His selfless service, His commitment to duty and to helping others.

 

Throughout the island today Hanuman puja is being conducted today in homes, temples and various Ashramas, Hanuman Chalisa is being chanted and the name of Lord Hanuman is being glorified. At the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre today Hanuman Jayanti is being marked with all day chanting of Hanuman Chalisa by various Pundits and groups together with all day offerings by devotees visiting the Ashrama and will culminate with Hanuman Puja and Lord Satyanarayan Vrat Katha.

While Hindus are celebrating Hanuman Jayanti, Christians are celebrating Good Friday and today being Friday, Muslims had Jumaah today. It is what we in Trinidad and Tobago can describe as a true reflection of our diversity as a people.

Many can recall that Ram Navami was celebrated last Saturday. On this said Saturday-April 13- devotees of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham and founder of the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre held the Hanuman Day of Prayer. This was held with the blessings of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and in the Divine Presence of Junior Pontiff at Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, our Beloved Sri Bala Swamiji.

 

Sri Swamiji’s visit many can agree was one where 4 days were well spent with priceless opportunities and beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. The 4 days were filled with a lot of activity all of which were fully meaningful and spiritually uplifting- daily Sri Chakra Puja, other daily Pujas, Homa, Abhishekam, bhajans, kirtan and discourse from Sundar Kand.

Sri Swamiji’s visit set the tone for Hanuman Jayanti and revealed several parallels between Him and Lord Hanuman- humility, devotion, purity of heart, thought and action and selfless service.

In closing keep chanting, keep praying, keep celebrating the good around you! More so as His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji always asks, “Be Good, Do Good”.

 

If you haven’t downloaded the app yet either visit the Google Play Store or the Apple Store and download your SGSPosts today! Let that be your gift to yourself and make it a gift you give to someone else by way of introducing them to it.

 

 

Posted in Guru Purnima 2018, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, Uncategorized

Celebrating Appaji’s Blessings for all Datta Devotees!

Jaya Guru Datta

Maybe my post may be considered late but I prefer to think of it as timely. As you read I am certain you will understand why!

In July here in Trinidad we were blessed to be in the presence of pure Divinity as we were blessed with the physical presence of our Sadguru, His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.  It was filled with priceless memories, an abundance of blessings and valuable opportunities to do Seva and also be in the Divine Presence of our dear Appaji!

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This visit of His Holiness and His Parivaar was a 13 day visit filled with Divine Darshan and pertinent messages that came via His words, His discourses, the Pujas He performed, His Bhajans, His Ragas, His smile, His Countenance, His disposition, His compassion and His actions.

Our Sadguru gave valuable gentle reminders and blessed us immensely in so many ways. In addition to a historic Guru Purnima celebration to remember, we have to also treasure the Datta Ganga Raga Sagara Meditation & Healing Concert that was held at SAPA on July 20th. We were also blessed to share Appaji’s visit with Datta devotees from around the world who visited Trinidad during this time.  In every sense every single moment spent in Appaji’s Divine Presence was one to treasure and to value for all of eternity.

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On the occasion of Guru Purnima Appaji announced that in 2020 a Maha Rudra Yaga will be held here in Trinidad and asked devotees in Trinidad and throughout the world to chant ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’ in the spiritual lead up for this event.

Here is the link you can check on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/dattapeetham/shivamantra

Have you begun your chanting yet?  If not, hopefully you do soon and please remember to check your count and submit it!

One memorable occasion that I just believe I must share was the morning in the hall of the Ashram when Uncle Sheetal reminded everyone of the need to begin chanting ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’. As Uncle Sheetal began the chanting everyone joined in and with the chorus of voices chanting in unison, the energy was powerful and it was building. Everyone was awaiting the presence of our dear Appaji and the chanting felt in every sense like a call to our Beloved Master to bless us with His Divine Presence.

On the day prior to Guru Purnima our dear Appaji gave Mantra Upadesha to over 600 devotees. This is another example of the abundance of blessings we received. If you were one to receive Mantra Upadesha hopefully you have started chanting your Mantra and the instructions from Yoga Sangeeta will help you with submitting the records of your chants for both.

Here is the link for further information: https://www.facebook.com/notes/yoga-sangeeta/logging-guru-mantra-counts/1759122180804379/

The Surya Deva Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing Concert which will take place in Mexico City on November 17  is being jointly organized and coordinated by longstanding devotees of Pujya Sri Swamiji Yogini Kaliji. They are  Mr Hector Ruiz and his family,  Mr. Venkat Raman and Yogini Kaliji.   The last day of Appaji’s visit to Trinidad marked the official launch of the website https://www.sgsmexico2018.com/   which is the main source of information for this site. You will be delighted to find out that a visit to this site would provide everything you need to find out about this concert, accommodation and other treats to look forward to!   Two things to look forward to are:

1.       Being in the presence of the Divine Master

2.      Being a part of a historic occasion as this is the first concert of its kind to be held in Mexico

Surya Deva Raga SagaraPlease be reminded of all of these ways through which you can serve Sadguru. Here are the ways that were listed for the Guru Purnima post:

·         Practise Sadhana

·         Understand who you are

·         Accept that we are one family

·         Keep your focus and serve

·         Embrace Appaji’s Daily Messages

·         Download Free Apps like SGS Posts, Path, Nadi Shuddi Yoga, Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana, Bhakti Mala English and Livestream and invest in Apps for Purchase like Bhajan Mala, SGS Bhagavad Gita, Divine Darshan,  Kavacha Manjari and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Google Playstore for Android Devices and Apple Store for iOS devices

·         Develop Your Spirituality

·         Ensure that you utilize the services of the bookstores in the Ashrams by purchasing Appaji’s books and cds. Read Appaji’s books, absorb the information in them and put them to daily use. As Appaji says, “Be good, Do Good”. Listen to the music on the cds, learn the bhajans, sing them and glorify the name of God. If purchasing books in print or purchasing cds online is more convenient for  you please avail yourself of the opportunity to obtain them and utilize them

·         Download the free Kindle App for iOS devices, Android devices and Mac or PC,  purchase Appaji’s books that are available in Kindle Edition or get samples of them and add them to a Wishlist so that you can purchase them when you can afford them (Re: https://rachaelathomasj.com/2018/07/17/celebrating-the-availability-of-appajis-books-for-all-datta-devotees-via-kindle-apps)

 

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·         Give food and clothing to the less fortunate

·         Practise Sattvic living

·         Support Shuka Vana 

 

·         Meditate

·         Use food, music and positive lifestyle changes to uplift yourself

·         Learn Bhagavad Gita and Guru Gita

 

Appaji Thank You for all that You have done for us and for all that You continue to do!

In closing I urge you to continue listening to Appaji’s messages. Heed them, “Be Good, Do Good”, keep chanting and continue doing your Seva.  Do enjoy these videos of Appaji singing bhajans that have been posted by Hanuman Hoffman!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Reading, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji

Celebrating the availability of Appaji’s books to all Datta devotees via Kindle Apps

Jaya Guru Datta!

Today like every other day is a blessed day! We can all agree that we are infinitely blessed! All that His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, our Sadguru, our Appaji does for us and for all humanity is immeasurable and He is Avadhoota!  He is Nada Brahma and is always there for us!  He is Sachchidananda (the manifestation of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss). Today holds greater significance as it is the day when Appaji arrives in Trinidad and it is a day many of us have been looking forward to! 

The focus of this post is somewhat different as it shows us another blessing Appaji has given to us! On this occasion I am very happy to be able to share the gift of reading with all Datta devotees the world over as you will be quite pleased to know some of Appaji’s books are available in Kindle Editions so you can purchase Appaji’s books and download them via Kindle Apps. Together, let us celebrate the gift of reading for all Datta devotees via Kindle Apps!

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Finding Appaji’s books on Amazon in Kindle Edition is a priceless discovery and certainly a treasure and a blessing! I could not wait to share this with you! I was absolutely excited and delighted when I found four (4) of Appaji’s books on Amazon Kindle. I found them yesterday and wanted to ensure that I could share them with you today.

 

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41Y-YNY65PLThe good news is each of these books can be downloaded to a kindle device or kindle app and you can purchase them. Here are the links you can use to embrace Appaji’s books:

·         https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Absolute-Ganapathy-Sachchidananda-Swamiji-ebook/dp/B075WW53PL/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1531830 (long link) or  https://www.amazon.com/ /dp/B075WW53PL/ (short link)

·         https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Received-Collection-Discourses-Sachchidananda-ebook/dp/B079VV6SFW/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1531830693&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=swami+ganapathy+the+elixir+of+life (long link) or https://www.amazon.com/ dp/B079VV6SFW/ (short link)

·         https://www.amazon.com/100-Stories-Indian-Heritage-Sachchidananda-ebook/dp/B01LYWQ4FU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1531830792&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=swami+ganapathy+100+stories (long link) or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYWQ4FU/ (short link) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWD0PXW/?coliid=I24MW57SCSZQYT&colid=1R9L3ZZRMPSIZ&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (long link) or  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWD0PXW/ (short link)

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The following pieces of information are very important to take note of as they will certainly help.

1.       Each book can be given as a gift so that you can spread Appaji’s teachings and messages with others.

2.      You can download a sample of each book if you do not have funds at this time to purchase them.

3.      You can add each book to a Wish List so that you can find them easily when you can purchase them.

As mentioned in my previous post you do not need a Kindle to read a book that is available in Kindle Edition. Of course having one may be a source of comfort to you but there are several free ways in which you can download Free Apps to read your Kindle Books.

Allow me to clarify one thing: Many people misunderstand what a Kindle is!

What is a Kindle?

A Kindle is a small hand held electronic device for reading books which has been developed by online retailer Amazon. (Source: https://www.digitalunite.com>guides)

As mentioned having a Kindle is not the only way to download a book in Kindle edition. What you can do is download the free Kindle App  

1.       From Android from Google Playstore at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.kindle

2.      From Amazon for PC or Mac, Android or IOS at https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/fd/kcp

3.      From the Apple Store at https://itunes.apple.com/tt/app/kindle/id302584613?mt=8

Further to this you can download the App to more than one device (for example, a mobile phone and a laptop or a laptop and a desktop)

What’s more is that if you live in Trinidad and Tobago when you purchase a Kindle book you don’t incur any charges for online shopping. 

I am happy that I could share this good news with you and I invite you to share it with others! In closing I leave you with Appaji’s itinerary for His visit to Trinidad! 

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 We are indeed blessed to have Appaji here for Guru Purnima and can all agree that we all have a lot to look forward to!

Sri Guru Datta!

Posted in Hanuman Jayanti

Celebrating Hanuman Jayanti 2018!

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Happy Hanuman Jayanti! Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Jai Veer Hanuman!

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As journalist Seeta Persad so rightly said, Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago surely have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of Hanuman Jayanti. (See article http://newsday.co.tt/2018/03/30/hindus-mark-hanuman-jayanti-tomorrow/)

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Lord Hanuman means so much to so many and this is evident not just here in Trinidad but also in the way many the world over regard Him and give praises to Him. For starters He teaches us strength and patience, He teaches us about courage and humility and He offers us protection but He does so much more!  The list can go on and on and will never stray from the essence that Lord Hanuman is our Blessing and He holds special significance for the thousands and more so the millions that pray to Him.

Here in Trinidad we have the 85 ft Hanuman Murti which was consecrated in 2003 but this is not just any Hanuman Murti. In addition to being the tallest Hanuman Murti in the Western World, this is a Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti. In looking at the history of this Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti I found this video that I am sure can provide meaningful insight to many devotees.  It will in many respects help in shedding light on what the Newsday journalist was referring to. On this note I invite you to please have a look at it:

Moving on we can agree that indeed it is a divine blessing to hear the name of Lord Hanuman being glorified and indeed a blessing to be able to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. Today thousands visited the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti at the Dattatreya Yoga Center in Carapichaima. The chanting of Hanuman Chalisa  was scheduled to begin at 6am this morning and it concluded after 7pm this evening. It was followed by Abhishekam, Puja and Homa. 

Rightfully so there is a lot that we can learn from Lord Hanuman and a simple means of accepting these lessons comes from understanding what the Hanuman Chalisa is telling us.  While the visit to the site http://aumamen.com/stotra/hanuman-chalisa can provide some ready assistance with this the link to Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana below will also provide you with peace, comfort and an abundance of postive energy.  

Many present at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Center today can attest to the fact that hundreds were able to offer their prayers to Lord Hanuman, sing Chalisa, perform Abhishekam, participate in Puja and Homa and also perform Aarti at the feet of Lord Hanuman.  Today’s Hanuman Jayanti celebrations came after 5 nights of Ramayan Discourses delivered during the past week. The week’s sessions began with Pundit Abhedanand Persad Sharma on Monday and continued with Pundit Hardeo Persad on Tuesday, Pundit Jewan Maharaj on Wednesday, Swami Prakashananda on Thursday. It concluded with Pundit Bimal Maharaj on Friday. 

In compiling this post finding bhajans being sung by His Holiness seemed most appropriate as His voice and His presence do more than words can ever fully express. Thankfully this morning I was able to hear and see His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Livestream (Click on Yoga Sangeetaand this evening we were able to be at the feet of Lord Hanuman.

I love all of Appaji’s bhajans and this is one of the first I heard. It is followed by some other bhajans that are filled with meaning and positive energy.  Here is my invitation to you to enjoy each of the Bhajans below and immerse yourself in Appaji’s offering! 

As Hanuman Jayanti 2018 draws to an end continue putting into practice the many lessons Lord Hanuman has shared with us. As Appaji reminds us daily, “Be Good, Do Good”. 

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ki Jai!

Posted in Ram Navami

Celebrating Ram Navami 2018!

Today  Sunday 25th March 2018 we joined with Hindus the world over in celebrating Sri Ram Navami! We were immensely blessed to be showered with the blessings and grace of His Holiness whose messages reach his followers in real time as He delivers His messages and reminds us of the abundance of love He has for us.

20180325_092022On this Holy occasion Shiva and I were as fortunate as we always are to be at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima which is home to the largest Lord Hanuman Murti in the Western Hemisphere- the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Mantra.

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Here is some info for those who may not know Lord Rama’s story:

http://www.navratriday.com/ram-navami.html

Here too is a beautiful rendition from Sooryagayathri whose soulful singing continues to capture many hearts.

Always happy to find past messages from His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidanda Swamiji, I was delighted to find these YouTube videos shared by Hanuman Hoffman who is a very dear Datta devotee and he is also one who is loved by us all. Appaji’s presence and His guidance, grace and teachings are invaluable, priceless and nothing short of an abundance of innumerable blessings. Please have a look at this video:

 

The first video as you would realise is a mantra to Lord Rama that is delivered to us by His Holiness and the second is an important sloka, it is the first sloka from the Sundara Kanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana and it is a Maha Mantra. 

From us to you, Happy Ram Navami! Keep chanting, keep praying, keep doing selfless service! Let Lord Rama’s story and His messages inspire you and remind you of how fortunate we are! 

As His Holiness says to us, “Be good, Do good!” (SGSPosts- Download it today if you haven’t! Also please share it with others!) 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating Hanuman Jayanti 2016!

Jai Veer Hanuman! Om  Namo Hanumate Namaha! Bajrang Bali Ki Jai!

Hanuman Jayanti is one occasion that I like many other devotees the world over look  forward to!

This was how the day began:

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Hanuman Jayanti Greetings from Appaji- His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda

This year I was able to be present at places I hold quite dearly and I was able to celebrate it with those who are extremely dear to me at firstly- the Coromandel Shiv Mandir in Coromandel Village Cedros, and later in the day at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre at Orangefield Road in Carapichaima!

I was able to spend time with my family-immediate family, Coromandel Shiv Mandir family and our Datta family- a true blessing you will surely agree!

It was not only a day of singing praises to Lord Hanuman but it was a day of Hanuman Chalisa Chanting! All in all it was a blissful day and a day filled with devotion!

The day was filled with being there while pujas were being conducted, bhajans were being sung and the highlight of the day was spending it with people who I value! During puja at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir there was rain at one point and it was welcomed in the midst of the dry spell and soaring temperatures we have been experiencing in Trinidad and Tobag0.

When we arrived at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre puja was in progress. Being at the feet of Lord Hanuman was a blessing and I enjoyed every moment thoroughly. The view of the moon was very inviting and capturing the pictures you see below together with the view of the stars were the final touches to an already perfect day!

Here are some pictures I took while I was at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir on Hanuman Jayanti:

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Puja to Lord Hanuman was in progress! My Mom (Mrs Doris Thomas) is the one in red kneeling at the Bedi!

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Offerings were being made to the Shiva Lingam

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The bedi-the flowers, sacred leaves, the tulsi tree, the fig tree, the kalsa, the lota-a beautiful sight!

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The murtis on the stage-Coromandel Shiv Mandir

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The singhasan -Coromandel Shiv Mandir

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Lord Ganesh, Hanuman Baba and Lord Shiva

I am grateful that both events did not occur at the same time as in the morning I was at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir and in the evening I was at the Dattatreya Yoga Centre  to witness puja at the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti.

While those were the morning pictures these were the evening pictures:

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Puja was in progress and devotees were participating in Puja

 

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A View of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ji from where I was sitting!

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A beautiful sight- Guru Paduka Puja was performed as well as Puja to Lord Satyanarayana- the light, the flowers, the coconut, the decorations of the Padukas, Hanuman Ji, Lord Satyanarayana and Appaji-0ur beloved Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamiji of Mysore India

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Such a beautiful sight- both Murtis of Lord Hanuman are beautifully decorated. Look at them adorned with flowers. Look also at the  Malas of paan leaves, the lights, the parrots, the vada! Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ki Jai! Jai Veer Hanuman!

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This is another view of the beautifully decorated Lord Hanuman!  Jai Veer Hanuman!

 

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This was such a mystical sight! There was a full moon for Hanuman Jayanti 2016! I am happy I was able to get this picture!

 

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So beautiful! So mystical! Look at how brightly the moon was shining and I am pleased I was able to get this photo of Lord Hanuman and the Moon.

 

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The greatness of Hanuman Ji is evident! For those who do not know Hanuman Ji is the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiva! Bajrang Bali Ki Jai!

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This picture like the others tells a thousand words!

In case you are still learning the Hanuman Chalisa please use this video to help you:

Please remember to save the dates: July 2nd- 9th 2016

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Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating Ganesh Utsav 2015!

Ganapati Bappa Morya! Mangal Moorti Morya!

Ganapati Bappa Morya! Mangal Moorti Morya!

Ganapati Bappa Morya! Mangal Moorti Morya!

For those who do not know Lord Ganesh is the Son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. He is the embodiment of Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles.

Before I continue please take the time to look at this video and sing the Sri Ganesh Chalisa also if you can!

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObUbBZOGrmc

I am also happy to share this bhajan by Pujya Sri Swamiji Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda with you:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnAw2ShXcHU

Ganesh Utsav is a time many Hindus the world over look forward to! It is a period of great devotion dedicated to Lord Ganesh, or Lord Ganapati, or Lord Vinayak, or Lord Vighna Vinashak which are just some of the many names of He is called by.

In spite of my schedule for this semester with classes most nights of the week I was quite happy and grateful for the opportunity to be at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre, Carapichaima on the nights when I was free and to also visit the Coromandel Shiv Mandir as they both afforded me the privilege of doing devotion with family and friends.

Here are some pictures I was able to get on the day of Visarjan (24 September 2015). I am very excited to share them with you!

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The Lord Ganesh Murti at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre

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The end of Lord Ganesh Puja- before Visarjan

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The Murti as it was being taken to the van!

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Can you see the light as it glows?

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Lord Surya’s Blessing is evident! Look at the Sun as it radiates in the background.

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Moments before departure for Visarjan at Orange Valley Bay!

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Quite a beautiful sight!

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A view of the sky taken at Orange Valley Bay

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A view of the boats at the Orange Valley Bay!

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The offering of the coconuts by devotees!

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Devotees look at Lord Ganapati and observe the rituals being performed.

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Lord Ganapati as He was being taken to the boat.

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Isn’t this a majestic sight on the water?

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Isn’t this another majestic sight on the water? Indeed this and the previous one are!

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Mother Ganga and Mother Lakshmi!

As this post ends enjoy this video made possible by one of Swamiji’s dearest devotees, Hanuman Hoffman,