News & Activity Report for the Month of October 2018

Sivananda Ashram - Ahmedabad

Navaratri Kanya Pujan at the ashram

All the activities of the ashram, mainly Spiritual, Yoga and Seva projects are based on the ideals and teachings of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.  Daily worship services at Lord Vishvanath Temple and at Sri Sri Maa Ashtalakshmi Bhavan create Divine vibrations at the Ashram. Prayers & Meditation at Sri Chidananda Dhyan Mandir bring peace & joy to countless Sadhakas. Daily Evening Satsang (9 pm - 9.45pm), Sunday satsang (8.30 am -10.00 am) and ‘Paduka Pujan' on Thursday, Satyanarayan Puja on Purnima day, Gayatri Yajana on first Sunday, Lalita Shashra Nama & Yoga activities: all these have made Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad a pilgrimage place (Yatra Dham).

Navaratri Festival or Devi worship (Oct 10, 2018 -  Oct  18, 2018): The month of October began with a spirit of Navaratri festival. Ten days of Devi worship commenced on Oct 10, 2018. About 300 devotees joined in a group chanting of Bhagavad Gita all eighteen chapter in the forenoon from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and Sri Durga Saptasati parayan in the afternoon from 4.00 pm to 7.30 pm at  Sri Sri Ashtalaxmi Bhavan followed by Garba at night from 9.00pm to 11.30 pm and artists from Chuda made the garba vibrant  which was enjoyed by thousands of people. Garba on Oct 14, 2018 was a special treat for having Sri Dipesh Shah group of singers and musicians. On Oct 17, 2018 "Ashtami day" havan was performed and Kanya Pujan of 120 girls of 3 to 8 years old with prasad, dinner & gifts for them arranged. Nine days worship culminated on Oct 18, 2018 on Dassera day with  "Vidya Arambha" ceremony, havan puja and food distributed to about eight hundred devotees who came for Garaba. 

Ashram is preparing for Deepavali celebrations, a Group Dhateras Puja. So many volunteers are working on for a Grand Annakoot offering on Deepavali day. 

Satsang & Adhyatma Tour 2018 to USA, Canada & UK of H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj  ( Sept 15, 2018 - Nov 30, 2018)

Tour Photos / Adhyatma Tour 2018 photos (Video Clips)

It is always a joy for all the devotees here in the West to receive Pujya Swamiji's satsang and blessings. In fact, summer comes and devotees in the West start waiting for and inquiring about Pujya Swamiji's satsang programs and His visit. For the past many years, Adhyatma Tours shapes up beautifully with a group of the key organizers working together in harmony, love & mutual respect in the spirit of true Karma Yoga for the benefits of many. It is all the Grace of Holy Master Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj & Gurumaharaj Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj!

Here are the glimpses.......

Swamiji’s presence is especially meaningful to Sudha and Ed, as Ed continues his healing journey. Swamiji conducted homa and rituals and provided guidance for Ed and Sudha on their continued path of health, service, spirituality, and life. We are all deeply grateful for Swamiji’s teachings and His presence in our lives. We are already looking forward to His next visit! - Sudha

Swamiji has truly attuned Happiness at our newly started Happiness yoga Centre. Moments spent with H. H. Swamiji are most precious and invaluable to us. - Shaishav & Sunita

Adhyatma Tour 2018 of Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj commenced from Chicago on Sept 15, 2018. As always, Pujya Swamiji received a warm welcome by Naiks. His holy presence fills their hearts with unspeakable joy. They wait for these moments, even the Mogara flowers in their home waited for the full bloom for Swamiji's arrival and expressed joy in its own way with spreading sweet fragrance and making a natural Rangoli.  

Adhyatma Tour is moving smoothly with Gurudev's grace & blessings. The programs at Chicago, Lorton (VA), Kula Kamal Ashram (Reading, PA), New Jersey, Houston, Little Rock (AR), Troy (MI) and Toledo are completed and the tour continues .......... to the rest of the centers namely Toronto, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago and to UK before concluding on Nov 30, 2018. 

Pujya Swamiji's day typically starts early with morning yoga session, home satsangs, home visits, bhiksha to honor devotees' wishes, evening satsangs, special requests, press interviews, paying a visit to sick ones, prayer for depressed ones and more till the late at night most of the days. His Mission is service to humanity, service to known and unknown. HE has been continuously spreading the message of sages of the yore and sharing the knowledge of ancient cultural and scientific heritage of ancient India through Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation. 

Yoga Retreat at HTGC, Chicago : (Sept 15, 2018 - Sept 20, 2018)

Devotees group here in Chicago received, Pujya Swamiji with grate love & devotion, as always. Five days here in Chicago were utilized fullest to the benefits of maximum people of Swamiji's holy presence.

Pujya Swamiji's programs in Chicago began with Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. HTGC President Tilak Marwaha ji introduced Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj to all the children who came to worship Lord Ganesha, the remover of the obstacles. Swamiji narrated a story about the intelligence of Lord Ganesha, who traveled around his parents Shiva and Parvati when he was asked to travel around the universe. Swami ji told children the importance of respecting their parents, elders, and teachers. 

Morning Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation Retreat was 0rganized by (HTGC)  Sept 16, 2018 - Sept 20, 2018

Prasad Ji, a Yoga Chair writes, " Pujya Swamiji, all of us HTGC yoga students and teachers are deeply honored and privileged to learn and re-learn many teachings and lessons of yoga from you every year. Just in five days, You have taught us Omkar, Brahmari, kapalabhati, Bashtrika, Sitali, Sitkari Pranayamas, so many Yoga Postures, Surya Namaskars. Every time we practice Asanas under your guidance, we learn something new, something that we need to correct, much more needs to practice. You inspire me to be a better student, teacher and a person that I can be, to serve students and pass on the knowledge and wisdom of yoga that Swamiji shares with us. Namaste! With deepest gratitude and respects to You "

Poonam Gupta, a director of Universal Spirit Yoga writes, "Universal Spirit Yoga center was blessed again by Pujya Swamiji's visit on Sep 15th. Swamiji beautifully explained how self-reflection on all our thoughts and actions is important to living at a conscientious level. How our actions impact and have a chain reaction on the entire universe. Self-reflection helps us physically as well as spiritually. Swamiji blessed and shared the simple meal prepared by the devotees. Everyone enjoys and appreciates his sense of humor, his simplicity and humility". 

Mandir of Madison (WI) celebrated Venkateshwar Kalayanam & 1st Rathoutsavam in holy presence of Pujya Swamiji Maharaj on Sept16th.

Evening satsang on Sept 16th was organized by Sri Arbindo devotee group. Satsang on Sept 17th was organized by Bharatiya Temple of NWI. Swamiji talked on the Maha Mrutynjaya Mantra, a life-giving Mantra. On Sept 18th Satsang was organized by Swadhyay group, the talk on "Awakening the Self" was enlightening. On Sept 19th devotees group organized satsang. Swamiji's talk on "Gita In Daily Life" was very inspiring.

A few home Satsang, bhiksha, listening patiently to some devotees' problem, giving solace to sick ones...........filled Swamiji's all days. 

Yoga Retreat at Happiness Yoga Center (Lorton, VA) ( Sept 20, 2018 - Sept 25, 2018)

Om Namo Narayana !

Five days passed like a blink of eyes, in Swamiji’s “Sannidhya”.  From Dawn to late night, Wellness retreat kept us all on the toes.  Fifteen Wellness programs in Five days.  Eleven at Happiness Yoga Centre,  one at Sanatan temple (Richmond, VA) and One at Durga temple (Fairfax) and  two additional programs of  Yogasana practice. Evenings were flooded with several home Satsang at devotees place.

Each program was every much successful and people admired full heartedly. All classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Happiness Yoga centre were jam packed. The hall was fully occupied with nearly fifty people. Even on weekdays, nearly thirty five - forty  people attended the programs. One program was on Shat-Kriya when, Swamiji demonstrated Kunjar Kriya and we did Jalaneti. Many students tried it. It was fun time for all. As always, Swamiji made everyone laugh and made them happy.

Discourses at both temples were in Gujarati/ Hindi and got overwhelming response. Programs were followed by dinners sponsored by HYC. Nearly two hundred & fifty devotees attended satsang at Durga temple.

Many of our students and friends volunteered help us, their kind support, sponsorships and donations made all events successful. Programs were kept free to all but people expressed their deep gratitude to Swamiji for teaching them ancient knowledge of yoga & spirituality. We are very happy to see the people becoming flourishing Devotees of H. H. Swamiji and a solid foundation is shaping up in DC area. We wish to grow the community much bigger way in coming years. We feel it is all Swamiji's blessings.

Swamiji has truly attuned Happiness at our newly started Happiness yoga Centre.  Moments spent with H. H. Swamiji are most precious and invaluable to us.

In divine feet of Gurudev!  Pranams ! -  Sunita & Shaishav Shah

Kula Kamala Ashram: ( Sept 25, 2018 - Oct 2, 2018)

Om Namo Narayanaya !

It has been a blessing beyond words to have Swamiji with us this week. Every moment his words bring comfort and wisdom. Janmashtami was a tremendous event. Swamiji provided a vibrant heartfelt discourse and lead the beautiful bhajan for the community.

As always, Swamiji’s visit was full of love, laughter, education, devotion, and sincerity. Swamiji’s darshan gives the gift of wisdom, clarity and deep understanding to all those receiving. Swamiji’s talks on the Kena, Katha and Mandukya Upanishad, and Bhagavad Gita, were full of practical insights and spiritual guidance. Love filled each word He spoke and Truth was His message. His bhajan were beautiful and inspired us all to experience the presence of Divinity. Swamiji spoke to the community each night of His stay. On Saturday, September 29, He spoke to the members of Berks Bhakti Yoga Group, about 350 people, as we co-facilitated a Janmashtami and Radhashtami celebration at the ashram. Swamiji lit up the room with His narrative and with His heartfelt presence.

Swamiji’s presence is especially meaningful to Sudha and Ed, as Ed continues his healing journey. Swamiji conducted homa and rituals and provided guidance for Ed and Sudha on their continued path of health, service, spirituality, and life. We are all deeply grateful for Swamiji’s teachings and His presence in our lives. We are already looking forward to His next visit!

Loving Pranams.
In Service of All, - Sudha

Bharat Sevashram Sangh (October 5, 2018 - Oct 7, 2018) 

Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji was respectfully welcomed by Swami Amarnathananda Ji, head of Bharat Sevashram Sangh in NJ and by the devotees group.

Swami Adhymananda ji explained the essence of Shiv Mahapuran. Swami ji explained the meaning of Shiv and Shiv Tatva. He explained how a person should prepare himself/herself to enter the Shiv Temple.  One needs to observe Yamas (Ahimsa- no harm to anyone, Satya- truthfulness, Asteya- no stealing, brahmcharya- keeping thought of God in our behaviour, and Aparigraha – Not accumulating) to enter the temple and achieve grace of Shiva. All Shiv temples have the following outside the temples: Bells, Tortoise, Nandi, Ganesh ji, Hanuman ji and inside the temple there is Shivling and Yoni, snake encircling the shivling and Parvati Devi.  Bells signify need for awareness at all times, tortoise signifies control of senses, Nandi signifies true Sadhak (Bhakta), Ganesh ji – signifies control of mind, Hanuman ji – signifies control of intellect.  Swami ji explained that devotees should perform Abhishek with complete devotion and focused mind and not just by pouring water or milk on Shivling. Swami ji explained the meaning of “MahaMrityunjaya Mantra” in a beautiful way. This Mantra is very powerful protective shield of Divine. It is also a Moksha mantra. Finally, he touched up on the significance of twelve Jyotirlingas.

 Every day the discourse was followed by Shiv Arati and blessing to everyone by Pujya Swamiji, Volunteers served home made fresh dinner to all devotees.

 Swami ji also conducted daily Yoga sessions in the morning. Pranayama and important Asanas were explained and practiced during these Yoga Sessions by the students.

On October 8, 2018 during the evening discourse was  "on the subject of Meditation - Theory and practice"  at the Residence of Shri Vimal and Smt. Pappu Sodhani. Swami ji explained the importance of meditation and how to practice it.

Swami ji was invited for lunch by a Anoopam Mission devotee  (Oct 6) and Swami Nityanand at Shanti Mandir (Oct 7) in Walden New York. Swami ji also visited BAPS temple in Robbinsville, NJ and was welcomed for Aarti followed by prasad at lunch time by Swami Viveknidhi Das whom Swami ji had known for a long time. 

Overall, we had a very inspiring satsang with Pujya Swamiji. Everyone enjoyed being with Swami ji and learned a lot in such a short time. - Sri Umesh Suklaji

Houston Program ( Oct 9, 2018 to Oct 16, 2018)

H.H. Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj arrived to Houston, Texas in the afternoon. Sri Harshadbhai Mehta of Katy, Texas had organized Satsang at their residence later in the evening. Swamiji gave discourse on meaning of Sravan-Bhadra-Aso, last three months of Hindu calendar. Swamiji explained the importance of listening to divine scriptures in the month of Sravan, then practicing the righteous conduct in Bhadra (of Bhadarvo) which was listened in Sravan. In the beginning of Aso, we observe Shradh, which is remembering our ancestors and the good deeds they did. Finally, we observe the Vrat of Navaratri worshiping goddess Adi Shakti for the success of all kinds.

On Oct 10, 2018 Sri Swamiji Maharaj visited BAPS temple of Houston. Swamiji had chance to meet with Shukmuni Swami of Atlanta who was substituting one of the Swamiji’s of Houston temple. Swamiji offered his prayers and  performed Abhishek of Shri Nilkantha Bhagvan. 

Oct 11, 2018 Dhaval Trivedi was family were happy to receive Pujya Swamiji's blessings on his 35 ^th birthday. Swamiji planted avocado and lemon trees at his home garden.

Pujya Swamiji's discourses on the subject of “Shakti Upasana Ka Raj Marg – Shri Durga Saptsati Ke Madhyam Se” at Shri Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir of Houston were inspiring to all during the Sacred Navaratri time on Oct 12 & Oct 13. This event was organized by the support of Gujarati Brahma Samaj of Houston and Shri Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir of Houston. Swamiji explained the true meaning of Navaratri and the eight forms of Ashtalakshmi. Swamiji discussed the various character of Durga Saptasati such as Dhumralochan, Chand, Mund and other Asuras as they relate to our daily life and our mind. The discourse was concluded each day with Swamiji performing Arati of Lord Shiva and Goddess Adishakti.

Two days of morning yoga work shop (Oct 13  & Oct 14 - 8.00 am to 9.30am) was organized by Swaminarayan Temple at ISSO. About thirsty participants took the benefits of Yoga learning. Swamiji discussed the importance of Omkara chanting and the breathing technique. Swamiji discussed the various pranayams and some simple asanas.- Dhaval Trivedi

Dussehra Puja, Pravachan, and 3-day “Yoga Refresher” Camp at Troy ( Oct 18, 2018 - Oct 21, 2018)

Friends and folks of Michigan warmly welcomed Swami Adhyatmanandaji in Troy, MI and were blessed to have Swamiji’s presence and Pravachan for the Dussehra Holiday, and 3 day “Yoga-Refresher” camp, Swamiji was also welcomed at the Bhartiya Temple in Troy Michigan, and in many houses for the personal guidance session.

Swamiji presided over the Dussehra pooja among the friends and family of Troy Michigan. A beautiful celebration of Shri Ram’s victory over the evil and Ravan-Dahan/Fireworks and enlightened the Satsang with a delightful Pravachan on the Aditya-Hrudayam and Gayatri-Mantra. Swamiji researched the specific meaning of each stotra of Aditya-Hrudayam - the symbolism of Sun as the soul and the source of all life. Swamiji provided the Pravachan and learning to 60+ people assembled at the Lal’s residence.

Friends and folks of Michigan were also privileged to have Swamiji’s personal attention and coaching for 3-day “yoga refresher” camp held at the Beautiful Banquet Hall in the Bhartiya Temple in Troy Michigan. The camp was conducted on Friday-Saturday-and Sunday from 7:30 to 9AM. Swamiji emphasized again the importance of the Yoga and Pranayama in daily life.

Thanks to Swamiji from all our hearts for his visit this year to Troy, Michigan!

Om Shanti!  

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