The annual festival, Maha Shivaratri was celebrated at Avadhoota Datta Peetham on the night of 7th until the dawn on 8th March 2016. Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji conducted the festival. Thousands of devotees had gathered in Ashrama for the festival.
In the morning, Rudra Homa was performed by Ashrama pundits in Nada Mantapa Yaga Shala. Pujya Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in Nada Mantapa. After the Maha Purnahuti of Rudra Homa, the 6th birthday of Puttugam, Sri Swamiji's special messenger, was celebrated. Pujya Swamiji released 8 CD Bhajans album titled "Bhakti Rasa Dhara". These albums contain vintage recordings of Pujya Sri Swamiji from 1970s to 1995. The album was offered by Smt.Hema Nalini Talasila, Dr.Bapuji Talasila & Sri.Sudhakar, The recordings are from Datta Peetham's own archives, from the archives donated by Late MVS Chowdhury of Vijayawada, Late.Sri.H.V.Viswanath of Bengaluru & Late Prof.Krishan Kumar of Delhi
Pujya Swamiji launched two new Bird photos canvas depicting 12 birds corresponding to zodiac signs and 9 bird photos corresponding to Navagrahas.
Sri Swamiji called on devotees to take a dip in Ashrama's Saptarshi Sarovara tank.
In the evening,as part of Gangotsava, devotees carried water pots in a procession which led to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva temple in Ashrama.
Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived at Ashrama prayer hall at 6 PM. Sri Swamiji offered Abhishekam and Arati to Manikya Shiva Lingam & Sphatika Shivalingam in the prayer hall.
The Shivaratri Pujas started with Rudhra Abhisheka to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam. Sri Swamiji offered sacred waters, panchamrita, turmeric water, fruit juices as Abhishekam to the Shiva Lingam on the holy night of Shivaratri. Pujya Bala Swamiji performed Abhishekam to the Shivalingam. Thousands of devotees watched the sacred ritual in great devotion.
Later, devotees had opportunity to perform Abhishekam to the Shiva Lingam. Thousands of devotees queued and carried water kalashas and performed Abhishekam personally. While devotees performed Abhishekam, Sri.Vijaygopal played flute concert. This was followed by Carnatic vocal concert by Sri.Kartik Parameswaram of Kerala.
After midnight, Pundits performed Rudrabhishekam to the Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam eleven times. Pujya Sri Swamiji sang scintillating Shiva Bhajans for over two hours. Devotees sang along with great devotional fervor.
At 5.20 AM (8th March), Sri Swamiji offered final Archana and Maha Mangalarati to the Shiva Lingam.
With this, the Maha Shivaratri festival concluded.
The Dattatreya Swami in Mysore Ashrama was decorated with Vibhooti for the Maha Shivaratri festival
Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji performs Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji performs Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji performs Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Pujya Sri Swamiji offers prayers to Shivalingam on Maha Shivaratair
Pujya Sri Swamiji offers prayers to Shivalingam on Maha Shivaratair
Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji performs turmeric water Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji performs honey Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji performs Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham, Mysuru
Vid.Vijayagopal rendered carnatic flute concert on Maha Shivaratri festival at Datta Peetham
Thousands of devotees personally performed Abhishekam to Sachchidanandeswara Shivalingam on the sacred Maha Shivaratri at Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore on 7th March 2016
Vid.Karthik Parameswaran from Kerala sang Carnatic vocal concert on Maha Shivaratri night at Datta Peetham on 7th March 2016
Superb Bhajan singing by Pujya Sri Swamiji transformed Datta Peetham to Shiva Lokam
Thousands of hands go up in Namaskar as Pujya Swamiji chanted Om Namah Shivaya on Maha Shivartari night at Datta Peetham
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji scintillating Bhajans carried devotees to Shiva Loka
Thousands of devotees observed vigil the whole night of Maha Shivaratari and sang Bhajans led by Pujya Sri Swamiji
Pujya Sri Swamiji performs flowers Puja during Maha Mangalarati on Maha Shivaratri
Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam on Maha Shivaratri morning - Shivaaya Gurave Namaha
Pujya Swamiji offers Namaskara to Manikya Shiva Lingam placed near Datta temple.
Pujya Swamiji offers Arati to crystal "Sphatika" Shiva Lingam
On the morning of Maha Shivaratri, the 6th anniversary of Puttugam, Pujya Swamiji's special messenger on social media sites was observed.
On the morning of Maha Shivaratri, the 6th anniversary of Puttugam, Pujya Swamiji's special messenger on social media sites was observed. Sri.Kannan Ramaswamy offers a giant birthday card
Pujya Swamiji launched special edition parrot collection related to zodiac signs and nine planets
Pujya Swamiji released "Bhakti Rasa Dhara" - a eight CD audio album collection. It contains vintage recordings of Pujya Swamiji's Bhajan singing from early 70s to 90s
As part of Maha Shivaratri festival, Girija Kalyanam was held on the day before - 6th March 2016
