It is undoubtedly extraordinary to start
a new year with Prayers, Yajna and Bhajan-Kirtan, and if all
this happens at the holy river Ganges, on the Omkarananda Ghat,
then it is all the more truly special.
So, on 1st January 2013, the Conclusion
of Omkarananda Mahotsava took place at the Ganga with the start
of the New Year. The Priests of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple
started a Yajna in front of an Altar with Gurudev's photo, along
with Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari.
The stage at the Omkarananda Ganga Ghat
was packed full with devotees and guests, who, after the Yajna,
joined the Bhajans.
Under the guidance of Shri Vedacharya
Pandit Shivkumar Malviya, a few young Sanskrit Students, dressed
very nicely in the traditional way, were repeating Shlokas of
Samaveda and later on, during Ganga Arati, they were again
reciting Sanskrit Prayers in praise of Maa Ganga.
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Beautifully
decorated Altar with Gurudev's Photo at the
Omkarananda Ghat. In the background is the holy Mother
Ganga. |
Young
Sanskrit Students are ready
for the Presentation of Samaveda. |
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Yajna at the Omkarananda Ganga Ghat by Swami
Vishveshwarananda,
Kumari Somashekhari and the Priests of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple. |
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Purnahuti by Kumari Somashekhari. |
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Agnidevata,
the holy Fire, shining brightly
in front of Gurudev and Mother Ganga. |
Siddhartha
Krishna is guiding
the audience through the function. |
Kumari Somashekhari and her student Neha
performed several devotional Dances, which were appreciated by
the audience.
Swami Vishveshwarananda, in his Vote of
Thanks, wished everybody a successful New Year. He requested all
devotees to continue the high spirit, which they are gaining
with all these Pujas and Yajnas, throughout the whole year, and
keep in their hearts the firm resolution to concentrate more
than ever on Prayers and Pujas. He also requested them:
"Always let your lives be permeated with divine, spiritual
thoughts and feelings and put them into action!" He thanked
Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati for giving to
everybody these great facilities and these opportunities to live
near the Ganges and to be part of such great events.
The whole programme was nicely and
flawlessly anchored by Shri Siddhartha Krishna.
In the end a powerful Guru and Ganga
Arati took place, in which everybody got the opportunity to hold
and wave the Arati in front of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda
Saraswati and the holy Mother Ganga.
Finally, many small, small Deepas were
offered to Maa Ganga along with constant recitation by the
Priests and the Sanskrit Students.
It was a beautiful view, when in the
darkness these holy lights were silently flowing with the holy
river Ganges.
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Graceful Dance Performance as a worship for Gurudev and
Maa Ganga by Kumari Somashekhari. |
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Swami Vishveshwarananda speaks on the occasion of the
conclusion of
Omkarananda Mahotsava. The speech is translated by
Siddhartha Krishna. |
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Gurudev- and Ganga-Arati by Swami Vishveshwarananda. |
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Arati by Suresh Pandit. |
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Finally Deepas were offered to Maa Ganga. |
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