Marakata Hanuman Pratishtha in Datta Mukti Kshetram, Rajamundry
Rajamundry - February 2020 (Silver Jubilee Year)
Highlights of the 6 day trip of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji and Pujya Sri Bala Swamiji
- 1st Maha Samprokshana of Datta Mukti Kshetram (Dattatreya Temple)
- Karyasiddhi Anjaneya Pratishtha
- Inauguration of Guru Nilayam
- Inauguration of Community Halls and Pilgrim Rooms
- Announcement of Godavari Ghat Construction
- Mass Hanuman Chalisa on Godavari River island (Pichchukalanka)
Sri Swamiji has embarked upon the 6 day visit to Rajamundry, after a 2 decades to mark the Silver Jubilee of the First Major program in 1995, which led to the founding of Rajamundry Ashrama and Gnana Bodha Sabha. Local Trustees and devotees made gigantic efforts to complete the construction of new buildings in Datta Mukti Kshetram comprising Guru Nilayam, 2 Community Halls, Pilgrim cottages, and Karya Siddhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple.
The picturesque setting of the temple complex, piety of the place with Godavari River basin with its esteemed culture of Veda, Shaastra, Music and Arts mark this city as a major centre in Southern India.
10 February 2020 Monday
Sri Swamiji arrived at Rajamundry airport from Thiruvanantapuram - Kerala program (Jatayu - Kodandarama Temple and Hindu Aikya Vedi programs). After the reverential welcome at Temple, Sri Swamiji participated in the consecration ritual that started on the previous day along with Vastu Homa for the new buildings. Team of Veda Scholars led by Sri Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi, TVS Raghavendra Sharma, Vinjamuri Kumara Surya Narayana and Gajanana Kukarni conducted the 4 days rituals for the 1st Maha Samprokshanam (Ritual to energise the Temples, usually after a 12 year cycle) of Sri Datta Mukti Kshetram, which was consecrated in the year 2008.
Karyasiddhi Anjaneya temple, though small in size has a special connection to Sri Swamiji. The Murti (idol) that personally worshipped by His Holiness for several years was allocated to Rajamundry, to the delight of devotees.
In the welcome function, Trustees Sri VS Prakasha Rao, Sri Chakradhara Rao (who handled the entire construction over the 15 years developments), Sri K Sarvarayudu, Sri Bolla Satyanarayana, Sri Gorugantu Siddhanti (who was instrumental in the first visit), Sri S Kameswara Rao (who conducts the Annadanam and Bhajan Activities) and Dr.Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi (Representative trustee of Datta Peetham) offered respects with a garland.
15 Scholars from Sri Dattatreya Veda Vidya Gurukulam, (founded by Vedanidhi Awardee Sri Gullapalli Seetaramachandra Ghanapathi), have enriched the piety with their powerful Yajurveda Chantings of Ghanapaatha in the evening. Noted poet Sri Yerrapragada Rama Krishna, has compered.
11th February, Tuesday
On this day, consecration rituals such as Homa with Moola Mantras, Vastu - Yogini - Navagraha - Kshetrapalaka - Sarvatobhadra Mandala - Brahma Kalasha deities continued. After Srichakra Puja, Maha Snapanam was conducted to the Anjaneya Swamy.
In the evening, Dhanyadhivasa Prasada Adhivasa rituals were conducted before Divya Nama Sankeertana, first among the three delightful sessions. Sri Swamiji has talked about the development of first Ashrama of Rajamundry at Chakradwarabandham village abutting the National Highway.
12th February, Wednesday
Sri Swamiji performed the Yantra of Anjaneya at 8:41 AM on the holy altar and installation rituals continued, with the participation of donors and volunteers. Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees with Hanuman Poornaphala Deeksha, after Brahma Kalasha Abhisheka in the Sanctum Sanctorum of Anjaneya and Dattatreya Temples.
Sri Bala Swamiji continued the Kumbhabhishekam to newly constructed (heightened) temple tower at 1:30 PM. In the evening, Sri Swamiji conducted another delightful Divya Nama Sankeertana program.
13th February, Thursday
Datta Mala Mantra Homa was performed in the morning before the Veda Sabha. Nearly 30 Veda Scholars, mostly from Yajurveda denomination, had rendered Veda Swasti (a special recitation) for close to two hours during Srichakra Puja. Vedic Chanting and Godavari (Rajamundry) are synonymous since many centuries. All the participant scholars were blessed with Prasadam. Local MLA Sri Jakkampudi Raja, who father late Jakkampudi Ramamohana Rao was instrumental in the execution of this Dharmik Avenue (Colony) called Gowtama Ghat in 2003 - 2008) participated in the programs.
In the last Bhajan session of the trip, local MP Sri Margani Bharat has participated and called upon the devotees to participate in Hanuman Chalisa program in large numbers.
14 February, Friday
In the morning session, Devi Homa was performed. 45 artists led by Yanamandra Srinivasa Sharma, Manda Krishna Mohan and Veena Artist Ayyagari had rendered Tyagaraja Pancharatna Keertana.
This was followed by the annual award ceremony of Rani Krishna Murty Shastra Parishat, which honours noted Shaastra scholars every year. This year's recipient was Prof. Kuppa Viswanatha Sharma, who renders service in SGS Shaasta Paathshaala (Tirupati). He recently completed a batch of Adwaita Vedanta classes of highest echelon of traditional philosophical heritage. He was chosen for this meritorious service to the society and Datta Peetham and conferred the award "Shaastra Aacharya" by the organisation, instituted with the blessings of Sri Swamiji in the memory of former Grammar teacher of Datta Peetham Sri Rani Krishna Murty.
Sri Kuppa Viswanatha Sharma, spoke on the subtle aspects of the Vedic Sentence Brahma Asti (Supreme Absolute Brahman is). Senior stalwart of Philosophy and Shaastra Nidhi awardee Sri Viswanatha Gopalakrishna enhanced the wisdom of the session with his interludes and briefing.
In the evening session, Anagha Vratam was conducted. Sri Swamiji has announced the construction of a New Snana Ghattam (Bathing Ghat). This New Facility on a small site abutting Godavari River comprises an Anushthaana, Shraaddha, and Nity - Karma facilities on the banks of Godavari River. This site is in Dhavaleswaram, 2 km from Datta Mukti Kshetram.
The annual rituals dedicated to ancestors (Pitru Shraaddha) is the foremost activity of Datta Mukti Kshetram, which had catered to the needs of thousands of pilgrims and devotees. Addition of this facility of Nitya Karma (rituals during the 12-day mourning called Aashoucham), would cater to the needs of public. The proximity to the beautiful Kailasa Bhumi crematorium (one of the unique facilities of India) would add to the convenience.
Sri Swamiji has called upon devotees to make use of the opportunity by donating for the project as well as make use of the facilities. He has emphasized the importance of Pitru Shraaddha, annual rites to deceased ancestors, which is a fundamental duty of every devotee.
15 February, Saturday - Hanuman Chalisa
Significance of the venue: Dhavaleswaram, on the outskirts of Rajamundry City), has a barrage across Godavari River, which splits as several distributaries. The century old barrage built by Sir Arthur Cotton, had transformed the lives of farmers and enhanced the wealth of the region. This project, while mitigating the vagaries of floods has given access to several beautiful natural islands in the river. Finest among such tiny islands is called Pichchuka Lanka (sparrow island), which was chosen as the site for Hanuman Chalisa Mass Recitation.
The team of devotees led by Sri Vishnu Verma and Sri T Ramesh Krishna (Mysore) has toiled hard for the program, in which thousands of devotees had participated. Continuing the campaign of Anagha Vratam, Sri Swamiji has conducted the Anagha Vratam in the noon session, before wrapping up the historic tour of Rajamundry.
