Sri Swamiji in USA, Guru Purnima Celebrations, Dallas, 12 - 19 Jul 2011
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Sri Swamiji in USA, Jun - Jul 2011
Puja Sri Swamiji visited Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas from July 12, 2011 to July 20, 2011 for Guru Purnima Celebrations and the 2nd anniversary of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas.
July 14 ~ Puja Sri Swamiji arrived at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple at 6 p.m.; devotees from all across the US had arrived to witness the presence of Guru Deva at Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple. Sri Swamiji viewed the art gallery painted by Smt. Raja Laxmi consisting of various deities, animals, and scenery. Sri Swamiji gave a discourse on art and the value of paintings to the hundreds of devotees who had packed into the Ashrama. His Holiness encouraged children to pursue their interest for the arts, and to develop an understanding for the true value in painting & pictures. Sri Swamiji concluded the day's events by performing Arati to Hanuman and tying a Thornam for world peace.
Guru Purnima ~ 15 July
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji entered the Ashrama to devotees chanting Guru Gita on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja, followed by Pratyaksha Pada Puja which was conducted by Ashrama priests. The divine vibrations could be felt all over the Ashrama. Sri Swamiji explained to the crowd the significance of Guru and what it meant to have and to be led in life by a Sadguru. Sri Swamiji gave Darshan to all devotees. In the evening a young devotee performed Kuchipudi Dance piece before Sri Swamiji who later blessed the crowd with a majestic Bhajan session.
July 16, 2011 ~ Events shifted from the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple to Dr. Pepper Star Center in Frisco, Texas. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the presence of more than 1200 devotees. The crowd was later treated to a guest speaker, Mr. Jeff Mitchum, a world renowned photographer who spoke about his experiences as a photographer, and about his meeting with Sri Swamiji. V.R. Raman explained that Sri Swamiji saw an image of Hanuman on a mountain in one of Jeff Mitchums photograph named "The King of the World". In His discourse, Guru Deva again stressed the importance of art and encouraged devotees to pursue art.
Sanjeevini Raga Sagara, Music for Meditation and Healing concert was performed by Pujya Sri Swamiji in the evening. Thousands of devotees filled the arena to experience the power of Sadguru Deva's meditation music. Sri Swamiji specially met and blessed Handicapped people, children with autism, patients with cancer and devotees with other problems; uplifted their spirits and gave enough strength face the problems.
July 17, 2011 ~ On Sunday morning Sri Swamiji preformed Sri Chakra Puja. It was followed by Thulabharam Seva performed by devotees to Sadguru Deva. Hundred and eight devotes had the opportunity to perform Dhvaja Puja, a rare Puja that was mentioned to Sri Swamiji by an elderly devotee from Arizona who had a dream about this Puja. Sri Swamiji explained about Dhvaja Puja and why He had decided to perform it. Dhwaja Seva Project is where devotees can post the Saffron Flag with Hanuman on it resembling the flag hoisted on the Chariot of Arjuna during Mahabharata War. It is believed that this Hanuman Dhwaja will fulfill the desires of the devotees and hasten the Hanuman Temple building. More than 100 devotees posted the Dhwajas on a specially made wooden platform.
In the evening, Sri Swamiji energized the devotees with a grandiose Bhajan session where Pujya Sri Swamiji chanted "Datta Datta Datta ....." for almost 10 minutes as devotees happily danced. The atmosphere that night at Dr. Pepper center cannot be expressed in words.
July 19, 2011 ~ In the evening, Puja Sri Swamiji blessed numerous local and non-local devotees for the relentless Seva and efforts rendered for the past 8 days. Sadguru Deva blessed the Matru Mandali of Dallas. Sri Swamiji, in His discourse mentioned the importance of doing Seva
July 20, 2011 ~ Sri Swamiji left for Chicago, Illinois.