Sri Swamiji in Datta Kshetra Yatra, Dam Dattanatha, Guntur, 19 - 21 Feb 2003
Datta Kshetra Yatra - Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
DAM Dattanatha
Guntur - the place which waited 25 years for its Datta Temple. Sri Swamiji first made a public program here in 1978. SInce then the devotee base had steadily grown. One of the most memorable concerts of Swamiji was held in this town some years back. But for the Ashrama to be established, a Datta temple to be built, it took a long 25 years. But it happened. On 21st March 2003. As thousands of devotees witnessed, Sri Swamiji performed the Kumbhabhishekam of the Dam Datta Natha Kshetra. The last one in the nine Navanatha line of Datta temples established by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji arrived in Guntur on 19th February 2003. En route from Machilipatnam, Sri Swamiji made a brief stop in Vijayawada Ashrama for Darshan of Marakata Raja Rajeshwari. Sri Swamiji was happily welcomed at the outskirts of the Guntur town by Sri Gopi Krishna, well known chartered accountant and executive Trustee of Guntur Gnana Bodha Sabha Trust. Along with him were the other trustees and orphans from the orphanage he is presently running, but soon to be handed over to Datta Peetham Trust.
That day Sri Swamiji visited some devotee houses. Sri Swamiji visited the Venkateswara temple in Gorantla village. In the evening Sri Swamiji visited the Balaji temple in Brindavan gardens, Guntur. In a brief program there, Sri Swamiji released the book "Aparokshaanubhuti" by Yerra Pragada Subba Rao, an octogenarian who has a couple of philosophy books to his credit. Speaking there, Sri Swamiji said that philosophical churning of the heart causes one to come to the conclusion that only Ishwara is permanent and everything else is Nashwara (impermanent).
Afterwards Sri Swamiji arrived in NTR stadium where Sri Bolla Satyanarayana, a prominent Gunturian had arranged a public reception for Sri Swamiji. Sri Venkateshwara Reddy, District Magistrate of Guntur District spoke on the occasion and welcomed Sri Swamiji and requested Sri Swamiji to conduct more programs in socially deprived and neglected areas and enthuse them with spiritual energy. Sri Mohammad Jani, former minister too spoke on the occasion and requested Swamiji to work for the good relations between different religious faiths in India.
Sri Sri Swamiji spoke on the occasion and Blessed everyone and expressed happiness for being in Guntur and that the temple would be consecrated in two days.
On 20th February, Sri Chakra Puja was performed and Sri Swamiji conducted a trustees meeting to overview the preparations. In the evening Satsang was held. A press meet preceded the Satsang.
On 21st February 2003, at 08.06 AM, Sri Swamiji laid the Ganapathy, Dattatreya, Anagha Devi and Raja Rajeshwari Yantras in the stone pedestal on which the idols would be fixed. Sri Chakra Puja was completed and important donors honored. Sri Swamiji then released the newly composed Nava Natha Stotra (like the Datta Shodashi) and the Stotram was chanted publicly.
At 11.30 AM Maha Purnahuti was completed in the Yaga Shala and Sri Swamiji climbed the steps to the temple tower. First the Kumbhabhisheka of the Ganapati Shrine was completed. Then the Raja Rajeshwari Shrine. At 12.15, Sri Swamiji performed the Kumbhabhisheka of the Dam Dattanatha Dattatreya and Anagha Devi Shrine. Standing there Sri Swamiji gave an emotional speech exhorting people to lead a pure and austere life. Thousands of people witnessed this sacred event of Sri Swamiji completing the last of the Nava Natha Datta temple Kumbhabhishekam. It was quite emotional to many.
Sri Swamiji then performed Abhishekam to the newly installed idols of Ganapati, Raja Rajeshwari, Dattatreya, Anagha Devi. This is the 32nd Datta Temple Sri Swamiji has consecrated after the first one in Mysore Ashrama in 1978.
In the afternoon the trustees of the Ammavodi destitute home being planned near Hyderabad Ashrama met Sri Swamiji and submitted the plans of the proposed buildings. Sri Swamiji Blessed the project and permitted them to commence the construction which is expected to start in two weeks.
During the evening Satsang, Sri Swamiji sang a new Bhajan on the Nava Natha temples.
