Saturday, October 31, 2009

October 30 Tirupathy to Chennai Via Tamaraipakkam



We were off for the darshan of the Lord of Tirupathi at 2AM. It was an auspicious day, after Vaikunta Ekadashi and we considered ourselves very fortunate to have the Lord’s darshan in the presence of our Guru.
Beautiful winding roads lead us to the abode of Venkatachalapathy and our Darshan was done in no time. After the Darshan, we were lead to a room where a special prayer was conducted for us and a shawl was presented to Pujya Guruji on behalf of the Pujaris there. While we were walking out, temple’s yearly procession was on its way, we got to see the Utsava moorthy at His resplendence.
Considered the richest and most sacred temple in the world, Tirupati temple is located 67 km away from Chittoor in southern Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple, it is a major pilgrimage center of south India.
The temple is located on a hill at Tirumala. It is a conglomeration of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam. The temple boasts of a vibrant and colorful culture and a grand past. It is an important pilgrimage center, where devotees stand for long hours waiting to get a glance of the presiding deity.
The ancient Tirupati temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The gopuram of this temple is its highlight. The Vimana or Cupola, named the “the Ananda Nilayam” is placed over the sanctum sanctorum. It is completely gold plated.
A day at Tirupati Tirumala temple begins with Suprabhatam (awakening the Lord) at 3 am. The day ends with the Ekanta Seva (putting the Lord to sleep) at 1 am. Prayers are offered daily, weekly and periodically in the form of Sevas and Utsavams to the Lord. Devotees who want to pay homage to the Lord can donate a small amount and have the Sevas or Utsavams done in their name.
After breakfast at Bliss, we went to Chinmaya Srinivas, the new Tirupathy Chinmaya center. There is a beautiful Chinmaya Venugopal murthi at that temple. Phaneendra Sai Garu who is instrumental for the Ashram and its activities, talked briefly about the history and events.
Guruji commended about the wonderful Satsang hall, connected with the temple, which had come since his last visit. They also have plans to build an Ashram on the land nearby.
Guruji explained that Krishna means the one who attracts. In life, what attract are beauty, sweetness and happiness, this is represented by the word “Madhu” in Sanskrit. What gives beauty, sweetness, happiness is called Madhura. “Madhuradhipathi” is the lord of sweetness, beauty, happiness and that is who is presiding diety as Chinmaya Venugopal. We should all strive to gain these qualities in our lives.
After this short visit, we were back in Hotel Bliss for lunch. Thanking our hosts, we were off to Tamaraipakkam. The last hour, we were escorted by Yuva Kendra members on their motor bikes with orange flags who lead the way to ashram. We received a warm welcome at the center.
About 40 km from Chennai is Sarveshwara Nagar in Tamaraipakkam. This ashram was set up as a Pitamaha Sadan — a place where people over the age of 60 can stay permanently. The purpose is to provide a quiet, serene environment conducive to reflection and meditation. A Tamil Sandeepany was formed here and two batches of students were trained under the guidance of Swami Shreedharananda.
The Geeta satsang hall on the ground floor of Sarveshwara Dhyana Nilayam (the temple) is a well-ventilated circular prayer hall.
The ashram also has a Goshala (cowshed), paddy fields and beautifully forested areas.
We got tours of CORD activities by Mr. Kannan, a very dedicated Sevak, after which we visited Shiva temple which is shaped like a Shivalinga. History, activities and plans were presented to us by the center administrators. A Hari Har school which is in operation at the center for the disadvantaged is being expanded thanks to generous support from the family of one our fellow Yatris and will go up to Standard 8 from 2010. In the end, Guruji introduced us to Brahmachari Sadashiva Chaitanya who has been instrumental in interfacing with the local people in Tamaraipakkam.
We reached Hotel Breeze for the stay while Guruji and a few of the delegates went on to the Chennai Ashram. A long, eventful day was coming to an end.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Thursday, October 29 – Day 11 of the Yatra



We reached Chokahalli Ashram, about 40 miles from Bangalore in the morning before breakfast. We had a short satsang with Brahmachari Shaunak Chaitanya where he discussed the history and activities of the Ashram.
The children from Chinmaya Vidyalaya were there, and it was fun watching their participation with loud “Jai” and “Hari OMs”. The school is English medium after 5th grade. There were also the students of the priest training school who captivated us with their Vedic chants.
As the name of the place itself suggests, one experiences the exquisite beauty of Mother Nature here. The literal meaning of ‘Chokka’ is that which is beautiful, neat and tidy. The quiet and serene surroundings of Chokkahalli, 7 km from Kolar, appealed to Swami Brahmananda, who chose this location for Sandeepany Karnataka in 1984. In 1993, during Pujya Gurudev’s visit to Bangalore for a Geeta Jnana Yajna, Sri Shadakshari undertook the responsibility of building a big temple for Sri Omkareshwara.
The Kumbhabhishekam took place in November 1994. A Rudra Homa was performed according to tradition, followed by a Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam with nearly 3500 people participating.
The temple has an engraving of Lord Shiva in Kailash. An idol of Lord Ganapati occupies the position below Sri Omkareshwara. Two bulls stand guard at the entrance of the temple. The crown of the temple is adorned with the carvings of Sri Dakshinamurthy, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya. On top of the temple is a huge Shiva Linga.
Pujya Swami Tejomayananda consecrated Chinmaya Ganapati in February 1998. A Sahasra Kalashabhisheka was organized on a specially erected ramp, and Chinmaya Ganapati took a grand, holy bath, enough to drench his gigantic form.
Chinmaya Ganapati has its own charm, since the colossal form of the Lord, measuring nearly 45 feet from the ground, captivates every heart that visits the place.
After a splendid breakfast, we took off for Thirupathi. We received a warm welcome at Hotel Bliss, owned by Mr. Rajashekhar, who has been long associated with Chinmaya Mission and was a CHYK along with Swami Mitrananda. As soon as we had quick lunch and freshen up, we were off to Chinmayaranyam.
The Chinmayaranyam ashram at Ellayapalle in Andhra Pradesh, upon its inception, was proclaimed by Swami Chinmayananda as a new kind of ashram, where the poor and needy would be served with love and affection. True to its motto, “Receive the light of knowledge. Bring out the heat of action,” Chinmayaranyam has done tremendous work for the upliftment of the rural poor in that region.
The project was spearheaded by Swamini Saradapriyananda (who attained mahasamadhi on April 17 2000), one of Swami Chinmayananda’s foremost direct disciples. As the driving force behind Chinmayaranyam and its activities, she conquered one and all with her selfless, tireless service and unconditional love.
Amma, as she was lovingly called, had received a piece of barren land in a burial ground donated by the villagers for establishing an ashram in a remote village in the drought prone Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh. Gurudev’s first visit to this place on 8th February 1982 was to conduct the Bhoomi puja.
The village had two wells, of which one was dry and the second was down to its last few drops of water. Against this background Swamiji was visualizing a forest around the ashram, which to many appeared to be a dream. Pointing out with his walking stick to two banyan trees, standing on either side of the land, Swamiji said, “Dig along the line that connects the two trees. Water is sure to come.” Water gushed forth from the well when it was dug.
Chinmayaranyam has now been transformed into a beautiful, green ashram. In recognition of this work the government granted the ashram a hillock adjoining it for development and reforestation which is being carried out successfully.
We visited the Hari Har school, which serves the economically disadvantaged children from the nearby villages where there were over 500 children. During our visit there, Guruji performed a Bhoomi Poooja for expansion of the school. There is also an associated orphanage which houses 45 children.
Our Yatris, inspired by the wonderful work and beautiful children, immediately donated Rs 30,000 collectively for the ashram and orphanage.
We were enthralled in the evening we were treated to a play by Brahmacharis and children about Swami Tapovanji’s life. It was amazing to see the children’s performance. They depicted Chippukutti’s birth to His Samadhi with beautiful background multimedia presentations. Mitranandaji was so moved by this and he invited them to Chennai for a encore performance.
We had dinner at the Ashram and returned to Hotel Bliss for a quick nap, as the next day, we had to take off at 2:00 am for Venkitachelapathy Darshan.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

October 28 Bangalore



We set out after breakfast for the SriPaadaKshetra center situated at JP Nagar.  We got a warm welcome, at the beautiful new facility inaugurated in 2005 by Pujya Guruji.
Mr. Ravi, Secretary of Bangalore CM described that Bangalore was the place Pujya Gurudev gave the third Yagna in 1956, and is of prime importance.  Under Guruji’s grace and Swami Brahmananda’s (affectingly known as Brahmaji) leadership, the activities in Karnataka has grown tremendously.
The current SriPaadaKshetra auditorium can seat 700+ people.  Raviji described the moving story of Mr. Soni, a Chinmaya Mission devotee, who served and lived like a saint and upon his passing, gave all his belongings to Chinmaya Mission. Brahmaji named the Acharya’s kutia at this center in Mr. Soni’s name.
We then proceeded to the Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala where the children received us with a marching band.  Mr. Bhatt, head of regional schools, gave a presentation on Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Chinmaya Vision program.  It warmed our hearts seeing the bright faces of the tiny tots greeting Pujya Guruji with “Hari Om Swamiji” in a chorus when Guruji passed by their class.
Next we stopped at Deenabandu Devastanam, Indira Nagar where Vedputras (the students of Purohit course) received Guruji with chants.  The temple here was inaugurated in 1979 and the presiding deity is “savior of the Sadhus”.  Brahmaji gave a short lecture and he emphasized that we are the lamps that Gurudev lit, no matter where we are in the world and that we are one family.

We had a sumptuous lunch followed by a visit to the Chinmaya Mission Hospital (CMH).  Lt. Col.(retd.) Dr. Chandra Shekhar, the chief medical director of Chinmaya Mission Hospital, gave a detailed presentation on the vision and approach of CMH.  In 1969, Drs.  Purushottaman, a physician couple, were inspired by Gurudev and started the CMH as an outpatient dispensary with two beds.  It has now grown into 250 beds multi specialty hospital with state of the art care.
Key feature of this hospital is that 45% of care if given almost free of charge. The costs associated with care of the patients are often 40 to 50 % cheaper than other similar facilities. We were then split into groups for a tour of the facility.   They showed us different departments where we met with wonderful group of committed medical staff for whom, even though they had more lucrative options, they chose the path of this noble service.
We returned to the hotel and had a evening Satsang with Guruji where he beautifully explained the peripheral and deeper meaning bhajan “Gayiye jagavandana” – first song of Vinaya Patrika by Sant Tulasidas.
The night’s dinner was hosted by Mr. Shadaskari managing director of Ramanashree group.  Mr. Narasimhulu Chetty, long time Chinmaya Mission trustee said that the focal point is that we are all one family as he gave us all gifts. A busy day that allowed us to touch Gurudev’s vision and how far it has reached was coming to an end.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October 27 Sidhbari to Bangalore



We had a late start for the day, some of us went for a walk and cherished the waning moments of our stay at Sidhbari while others tried to cram all the things they bought at Guru Kripa and Guru Dhara (outlets for the products made by the villagers and differently-abled beneficiaries of CORD) into their overstuffed bags.
We participated in the Guru Paduka Pooja in Gurudev’s Kutia after breakfast and went back to stuffing the bags and for taking another look at the bookstore.
After an early lunch, we went to the airport to board the chartered flight for Delhi. The majestic Himalayas waved us goodbye. We got a warm welcome in the Delhi airport by our Delhi CM devotees and the 24 yatris who came early.
The airlines helped us transfer from the charter to jet airways and we took off to Bangalore.
Right from 1956, when Gurudev held his first yajna in Bangalore, the city has been one of the most active centers on the Chinmaya world map.
We landed in Bangalore with much anticipation and enthusiasm at the end of the day, welcomed by many local members. We stayed at Hotel Ramanashree, owned by a Chinmaya mission trust member, where we received a warm and loving welcome by Swamijis, Brahmacharis and devotees and the owner.

Monday, October 26, 2009

October 26th Sidhbari



The inspiration and excitement of the CORD visit from the previous day was still very much with us. Dr. Kshama Mhetre and Guruji hosted a Q&A session for all the Yatris on CORD.
Guruji described the attitude with which service should be performed (a hidden satsang!), and then went on to describe how various training programs were being added to the Mission, including a Samaj Sewa training course to train volunteers to go and serve the local population under CORD. Many of the Yatris had several questions about the activities of CORD – their amazement and curiosity could not be contained. We met Nicole, a trainee form Canada, who has come under a CIDA program and Usha Rao, a junior in college, from New Jersey who is volunteering and learning at CORD.
Under Dr. Dwarakanath’s encouragement and enthusiasm, the momentum built, and by the end of the 90 minute session, the Yatris from the different centers from different parts of the world committed to supporting the cause personally and through their centers.  In the span of a few minutes at the end, we secured commitments of $ 500,000 for CORD!!
This is the true Chinmaya spirit of sacrifice and service, giving more than what we take and producing more than what we consume. May Gurudev’s grace and blessings always shine down on us!
After lunch, 24 yatris departed from Sidhbari for New Delhi. Swami Mitranandji was with this group. Guruji stayed behind with the other yatris.
Some of us made a hike to the Kapila Guha and paid respects to Devhuti rivulet.  It is a mystical place with small stone images lining up against the woods.
As the day passed the mountains were ornamented with the first dusting of snow glittering atop the Dhauladhar Mountains leaving a white sheen.  Sharadaji pointed out to me the Shiva and Parvati ranges behind Gurudev’s Samadhi stal.  Shiva looked white and majestic in the background and Parvati followed the same silhouette in the front in dark color.
Following the evening Aarti and Paduka Puja, we had a brief Kirtan and Satsang session with Guruji. Many brahmacharis/brahmacharinis attended too, and they sang bhajans in various languages. In taking a census of the brahmachari students, we realized that many had come from different states (including non-Hindi speaking) to study here.
Guruji asked the entire audience a question for us to reflect upon– “How many of us truly enjoy our work and how many consider it a burden?”. He went on to explain how the secret of enjoying work was to do the work for someone we love, and that should be God. If we dedicate all our work to Him, then all our work becomes a joy.

October 25th Sidhbari



We started our day with a morning satsang at  7:30 am, with Pujya Guruji at Gurudev’s Kutia.  Guruji started off by introducing Shivaramji, fondly called as “Babaji”.  He started serving Gurudev at the age of 22 and continuing on for more than 5 decades.  Babaji tells us that Gurudev has never left us, he is always here, and I felt that when he spoke those words they were indeed true.
Guruji then described the history of the Dhauladhar Mountains and its spiritual relevance. He further elaborated the details of Kapila Muni Gufa(cave) as wells  history of Sidhbari(valley of the Siddhas), wherein our ashram is located.  Kapila Muni is one of the 24 Vishnu Avtars and was a Siddha who said to have given the absolute knowledge to his mother Devhuti near the Kapila Gufa.  Devhuti then merged back into the absolute and a rivulet was formed which is there even today.
Guruji also talked about the history of the Sidhbari Ashram.
At 9:30 am, we went to the CORD office which is a short distance away, where we were given a detailed presentation of all the programs and activities of CORD by Padmashree, Dr. Kshama Metre and her team, followed by a tour.  We were split into 3 groups for the tour of the center’s activities.  Not one person left untouched by the impact the CORD has made to thousands of people around the villages and its contribution to the sustainable local economy that has developed in the villages leading to even reverse migration from the cities.
Reviewing the details, CORD Sidhbari has touched the lives of over 55,000 beneficiaries directly, and over 2,75,000 indirectly, in over 561 villages of 12 Blocks in District of Kangra and a few villages in District Hamirpur.  CORD has recently begun replicating its work at two sites in Orissa (Deuladhia & Lathikatta) and two sites in Tamil Nadu (Tamaraipakkam & Siruvani).  (Please see websites www.cordusa.org and www.cord.org.in for more information about CORD).
We returned for the Paduka pooja conducted by Sharadaji.  It was wonderful to see how the students of the Vedanta course welcomed Guruji into the Paduka pooja venue with elaborate chanting.
Many of our Yatris made a short trip McLeod Ganj  where HH Dalai Lama’s monastery is located.
In the evening, Guruji introduced Dr. Dwarakanath, Chinmaya Mission, Boston and Dr. Pillai, Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles and requested them to talk about their experiences with Gurudev and the Mission. The heartfelt stories and life changing moments they shared with us touched everyone.
After dinner, there was a total change of scene when Dr. Dwarakanath showed his theatrical skills as a comedian by doing a “Manisha roast”, leaving us in stitches.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 24th Haridwar to Sidhbari



We were split into two groups for our charter flight from Dehra Doon to Dharmasala airport.  Guruji accompanied the first group and Swami Mitrananadaji accompanied the second group.
The second group had the welcome opportunity to visit the Manasa Devi temple before leaving Haridwar.  We went by Hari-Ki-Pairi on our way to Manasa Devi Temple.  Herculean preparations of cleaning up and site preparations are going on in Haridwar were Maha Kumbh Mela will occur next year in anticipation of more than 1.2 crores of pilgrims.
Manasa Devi is situated at the top of the hill accessible both by feet and by cable car.  We opted for the cable car, it was a wonderful journey and were happy to see how well organized the temple darshan process is.  We did a marathon temple darshan in an hour and returned to get ready for our flight.
After a hearty lunch from our wonderful hosts, we bade goodbye and boarded our charter flight at the Dehra Doon airport. The flight itself was very comfortable while we got to enjoy the regal views of Himalayas as we flew into Dharmasala.
We arrived in Sidhabari, the resting place of our Pujya Gurudev, in the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountains where we were warmly greeted by Swami Subodhananda and the earlier group of yatris.
The valley of the Siddhas, Sidhbari, nestling in the lap of the Himalayas is an awe-inspiring showcase of nature and soul. Swami Chinmayananda chose Sidhbari as a suitable location for a Sandeepany in the Himalayas. Pujya Gurudev must have felt the divine vibrations of the place where Kapila Muni once lived.
Construction began in 1979 but was beset by howling winds which disturbed the construction process. Then, as per Gurudev’s sankalpa, a Veera Hanumanji idol was installed. The imminent arrival of “Vayu-putra” resolved the issues with the wind. The well-known sculptor Sri Kashinath of Shimoga sculpted the cement concrete idol of Hanumanji in Veerasana posture. It is 25 ft tall and rests on a 7 ft granite pedestal. The idol was consecrated on 10th October 1982 by Pujya Gurudev.
Veera Hanumanji is seated at Sidhbari under the milky sky, open to the embrace of his father, Vayu, the Wind God. Hanumanji successfully keeps the damaging winds at bay. By worshipping the deity, one gains strength, courage, fame, alertness, eloquence and wisdom. Once in five years a consecration ceremony (Mahamastakabhishekam) of the idol is performed for which devotees from all parts of the world gather.
This is also the Samadhi Sthala of Gurudev. Devotees from all corners of the globe come to meditate, worship, and bask in the presence of the Master, whose mortal remains are buried under his sculpted image. The Bhu Samadhi of Pujya Gurudev was done on 9th August 1993.
Built in traditional Kerala style, the Samadhi Sthala houses Swamiji’s Ashtadhatu Pratima, or sculpture made of eight metals. Worship and aarti is offered twice daily.
The Samadhi is the most revered and an intense abode of silence and the focal point for ashram residents and visitors.
We celebrated Swami Mitranandaji's birthday today.
The evening Aarti was at 6 pm at Gurudev’s Samadhi Sthal, followed by Aarti at the Ram Mandir and at the glorious open-air Hanuman. After the evening Aarti , Guruji gave a short satsang. He described the history of our ashram at Sidhbari – although it opened in 1981, the idea had started out a few years earlier envisioning this as a place of retreat. In addition, however, Gurudev also wanted to give back to the surrounding village communities that had served various saints across the Himalayas for countless generations.  What was once a baron windy hillock, with Gurudev's blessings has now become a verdant and serene ashram visited by many tourists as well as devotees.
It soon evolved to become a perfect Triveni Sangam of Gyan, Bhakti and Karma yogas, with Vedanta courses in Hindi for knowledge, the Hanuman and Ram Mandir for devotion, and various community service projects across over 500 villages, including vocational projects for women. These projects eventually grew in to the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD), about which we will hear about in detail.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

October 23 Uttarkashi to Haridwar via Rishikesh



We boarded the buses at 8:30AM, today saying bye to Swami Dhyanannadaji and his efficient staff members.  As we followed curvy road, we got to enjoy the majesty of the Himalayan mountains with mother Ganges flowing by our side.  Intermittently, we got glimpses of snowcapped peaks of Gomukhi Mountains where Gangotri and Gomukh reside.
Guruji and Mitrananadaji shifted between the buses, interacting with all of us, as we took a few tea stops and ate our lunch packets packed fondly by Dhyanandaji’ team on our way.
Rishikesh is considered the Yoga capital of the world and is a famous centre of pilgrimage.
It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located 25 km from another holy city, Haridwar. Rishikesh is the starting point for travelling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
It was here that Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda began his spiritual journey, when he met the great Swami Sivananda, who initiated him into sanyasa. Sivananda Ashram on the banks of the Ganga is one of Rishikesh’s many famous ashrams.
The nearby Haridwar is famous for its temples. In Haridwar, the Ganga first emerges from the mountains to bless the plains.
The point at which the river is considered to enter the plains is known as Hari-ki-Pairi, or the feet of Sri Hari. Thousands of pilgrims come to the spot every day to take a holy dip in it.
We reached Swami Sivananda’s Ashram in Rishikesh by about 4PM to a warm welcome.
We offered our prostrations to Swami Sivananda’s Samadhi shrine.  Swami Sivananda was Swami Chinmayanda’s Dhikhsa Guru, initiating him into Sanyas, before he moved to Uttarkashi to pursue further instruction under the tutelage of Swami Tapovan. We then visited Swami Sivananda’s kutir where he spent his time while at Rishikesh.  This is maintained immaculately by his devotees.
Every day the Divine Life Society has bhajans at Sivananda Kutir, followed by Ganga Aarti.  This evening Guruji was their honored guest leading bhajans and aarti.  As we performed the Ganga aarti in the sunset, our diyas merging with other diyas from the temples was a remarkable and uplifting sight to see.
Then we proceeded to Siyaram Janaki Vallab Seva Sadan, a wonderful dharmshala run by the family of one of the fellow Yatris, Kamal and Shashi Gupta and is fully equipped with all amenities including internet, a/c etc.
Their heartfelt welcome to Guruji and his Yatris with special garlands from all the way from Vrindavan and rose petals followed by a sumptuous meal personally attended by the owners who looked after each and every needs of us was indeed touching and showed us Indian hospitality in all its grace. “Athiti Devo Bhava”
During Guruji's satsang there, he gave each of us a pot of Ganga Jal provided by our kind hosts.

Friday, October 23, 2009

October 22 Uttarkashi



Guruji gave us a discourse on the four verses of Tapovan Stuti composed spontaneously while he was posted in San Jose in 1989.
Tapovan Stuti is a personification of the virtue of renunciation found in Swami Tapovan Maharaj. Sanyas Dharma reached its pinnacle in him.
At 10am we went for a dip in the Ganges at the confluence of two rivers Aasi and Bhageerathi and refreshed our spirits. Guruji was the first one to make a dip followed by everybody else.
Lunch was at the ashram of Mata Brahmajyoti or Babaji as she is fondly called. She has been witness to Chinmaya Mission's entire Guru Shishya Parampara. She knew Swami Taponvanji Maharaj well; Gurudev considered her his younger sister; and Guruji always pays his respects to her when he visits Uttarkashi. She has deep closeness and a very high regard for Guruji. During her satsang, she likened Gurudev to Veda Vyasa.
Swami Mitranandaji shared his experiences on yatras as a powerful means of self purification in the evening satsang.
Many of the yatris were invited to sing bhajans with Guruji.
The bhajan session ended with prayer song addressed to God and Guru, Prarthana Geetham composed by Guruji.

October 21 Uttarkashi



Most of the yatris would agree that waking up in the Tapovan ashram was similar to entering a state of meditative contemplation. The presence of Swami Tapovanji Maharaj was easy to feel and difficult to deny.
After everyone had eaten breakfast, Guruji invited everyone to see Gurudev’s kutia.  There, the yatris observed the humble dwelling of a master in the making.  Later that morning, Guruji shared that it was the 26th anniversary of his sanyasa diksha. He described how spending that day in Tapovan Kutir made him feel very blessed.  Guruji then proceeded to describe, very movingly, how he met Gurudev and how Guruji came to Uttarkashi.
We made a pilgrimage to the nearby Soumya Kashi temple, which is over 6000 years old. Individual abhishek (oblations) was done by everyone.  Then we had lunch, rested, drank tea and then had satsang with Guruji.  He described the five most important places for the different stages of spiritual seeking.  Varanashi is ideal for shravana, Haridwar and Rishikesh are considered the best for mananam, and Uttarkashi and Gangotri are optimum for Nididyasanam.  After coming to Uttarkashi, Guruji’s advice was for all the yatris to just abide in their own selves.  Following that, we performed a samashti padukapooja for Guruji’s sanyasa diksha day. The ceremony was most certainly a culmination of that day’s descriptions by Guruji of his initiation into the wonderful world of Chinmaya Mission.
Chinmaya Mission’s foundation is based on two different dynamics given to Gurudev by his two gurus: the intense unwavering tapas of Swami Tapovan Maharaj, and Swami Sivananda’s love and compassion for all. Gurudev’s style of teaching and imparting knowledge can be seen as a combination of both.  Guruji explained that the early members of Chinmaya Mission were the bedrock that provided the foundation upon which the organization is built today.
At 6:30 in the evening, we performed both Tapovan and Ganga aarti.
During satsang with Swami Dhyananandaji, he explained that Chinmaya Mission’s origins are in Uttarkashi. He wonderfully described how the importance of Uttarkashi is described in Skanda Puranam Kedar Kand.

October 20 Delhi to Uttarkashi via Dehra Doon



As we packed into the ATR Turbo-Prop, overflowing with enthusiasm to get going, we found out that the yatris’ luggage didn’t fit in the aircraft (everybody had packed light, apparently).  Swami Mitranandaji stayed back to get the rest of the luggage over successfully and arrived later that night at Uttarkashi.
All of us were reminded of Guruji’s words “Lord is a teacher and teaser.”
After a warm welcome from CM Dehra Doon, who also provided us with lunch and snacks for the trip, we boarded our next modes of transport, three buses named Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.  Guruji moved between the buses and spent time with all the yatris.
We arrived later that evening at Tapovan Chinmayam, a well kept, aesthetic, serene ashram at 9:20PM.  Swami Dhyananandaji was at the entrance with a garland to welcome Guruji. Nearby, we could hear the mother Ganga roaring. We experienced more teasing from the Lord as we were made to wait till the next morning to see the majestic Himalayas and beautiful Ganges.
A little about Uttarkashi: Situated 165 km from Rishikesh, the town is so high that even the lowest regions are 5,800 ft above sea level. It is bordered on all sides by a mountain range called Varanavata. The tributaries of the river Bhageerathi flow around the mountain tract like two hands hugging the plains. At the central point in the plains, almost like the lap of the mountain tract, is Ujeli. It is here where the Tapovan Kutir, the home of Swami Tapovan Maharaj, is.
Built in 1936 by some of his devotees, its location is truly unique. Built into the side of a hill, with the river Bhageerathi flowing beneath, it is a picture of serene solitude. The kutia was a small, spartan one-room hut where Tapovanji lived; it remains the same, untouched, even today. The mud-walled, dung-floor hut contains his cot and kamandalu (water pot) and little else. But the little verandah outside the hut, where the Mahatma would sit and marvel at nature’s beauty or give Vedantic discourses, has been converted into a shrine. Devotees speak in hushed tones of profound experiences while meditating there. It is here that Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda spent several years studying at the feet of his guru.
Recently the capacity of Tapovan ashram was increased. A 3-storey building, Tapovan Chinmayam, built on land donated by a devotee, was inaugurated on 15 March 2005 by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda. It has 24 well-equipped rooms with balconies, all with a breathtaking view of the Bhageerathi and surrounding mountain range.
Today the ashram can house around 130 people. The satsang hall on the ground floor of Tapovan Chinmayam can comfortably seat about 300 people. A large, white marble murti of Lord Jagadeeshwara sits in the middle of the stage, with Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha gracing either side. Portraits of Swami Tapovanji Maharaj and Pujya Gurudev look on. The foyer is dedicated to a pictorial life sketch of Swami Tapovanji Maharaj.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Delhi Oct 19th



Chinmaya Dham Yatra with 62 delegates from UK, Australia, Canada, Kuwait, USA, India, Philippines, Hong Kong, St. Martin and Singapore started from Delhi on October 19th 2009.
During the inaugural speech, Guruji explained the purpose of this yatra. The main goal was stated as being to travel together while learning about Gurudev, bonding as a Chinmaya Family in the process.
During this yatra, one of the main priorities was to retrace the steps of Pujya Gurudev, thus deepening our understanding of Gurudev’s vision of Chinmaya Mission.  Know different members, we stand as one family – it will be a bonding experience for centers we visit and among the yatris.
As Guruji put it in the address, “Bharat did a Ram Dham when he visited Lord Rama in the forest; we are doing a Chinmaya Dham.”
Pujya Guruji did an introduction of the Delhi center, and its several branches, including DCST, CMD and CORD.
In 1953, Delhi became the third city, after Pune and Chennai, to host a jnana yagna by Pujya Gurudev.  He spoke on the Mandukya Karika for 91 days.  Since then, Delhi has been a hotbed of Chinmaya Mission Activity.
In 1992, Gurudev performed the Bhoomi Puja (Ground-breaking ceremony) for the Chinmaya Center for World Understanding (CCWU).  When Gurudev attained Mahasamadhi in 1993, his body was kept there overnight as devotees poured in to pay their respects to the Master.  The spot where his body sat during that night is now the site of a beautiful Samadhi Shrine surrounded by a lotus pond.
CCWU also houses Chinmaya Chetna, an interactive multimedia exhibit showing Gurudev’s life and teachings.  Photographs and videos capture Tapovan Kutir, Gurudev’s childhood and other precious moments with the Master.  It also gives us a broad view of what Chinmaya Mission is today.  Chinmaya Chetna shows how one noble ideal transformed an individual life and through it, the society at large.

Thursday, October 1, 2009