Anugrahotsav at Darjeeling, West Bengal

Swami Sri Madhusudanji carried the presence of the divine to the people of the hilltops... Darjeeling and Kurseong... on 10, 11 and 12 of November 2009... The master is continuing his 'Dig Vijaya' once again... :)

The hilly terrain of the mighty Himalayas was very happy as it’s already mid November & the environment was getting chilly day after day as the non stop supply of cool breeze was rampant everywhere. With the arrival of Swami Madhusudan Ji &  the  onset of Padyatra, suddenly the inhabitants were pleasantly surprised as they experienced the warmth everywhere. Whatever they were doing came to an halt as they left everything and rushed from their shops or houses to seek his blessings. In the process, more than 25000 people got the opportunity to have a glance & get his blessings. Although silent, yet it was deeply felt as if they were literally waiting for some Divine wave to touch them & thus resulted in continuous flow of people.                 

            Anugrahotsav (Peacewalk) took a new turn in Kurseong, where 4000 students from 3 Missionary schools participated & got blessed by Swamiji. The students experienced an unprecedented feeling of love & peace as to everybody’s surprise, there was sudden calmness in the environment in otherwise, with restless & noisy students. This amazing scene was witnessed during Swamiji’s address, that too without a microphone. The students and teachers were literally awestruck at the sheer beauty and divinity radiating through the gentle smile, genuine care and concern in Swamiji’s eyes. Subsequently, streams of people came to take blessings when Swamiji was out on the streets of Kurseong totalling upto 7000 people.

A group of teenagers joined the Padyatra in Kurseong, who had never heard of Art of Living before. They shared that they were so happy to receive blessings and expressed their desire to remain attached to this Divinity & remain devoted to GOD. Voluntarily, they participated actively in the Padyatra by holding placards, distributing leaflets, photos etc. They were just thrilled to do whatever they can & exhibited the feeling of the event being their own.

 An elderely lady shared that Swamiji reminded her of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ram Krishna Paramhansa and Maa Kali – all in one.

Anugrahotsav and Padayatra in Sikkim

The divine has created sweet waves of devotion and faith in the life of the people of Sikkim on 08 and 09 of the month of November 2009. Swami Sri Madhusudanji has touched the lives of thousands of people of Gangtok... Sri. Prasenjit Saha explains....

After initiating the wave of devotion in several parts of Kolkata, now it was the turn of the land of vista & splendor, the tiny himalyan state that is blessed by unspoilt natural beauty, SIKKIM. The four walls of prison of the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok was ever ready to welcome Swami Madhusudan Ji & the inmates along with the officials were anxious to have the glimpse & feel the touch of Divinity. The premises the prison, which otherwise is always looked down upon by our  society, was radiating positive energy as Swami Ji conducted 'Ram Dhyaan' & serenity was established in the entire environment in no time. The photograph of Guruji was given to everybody & soon the magic was experienced by people as miracles started pouring. 

While walking along the Mall of the hill town of Gangtok, it was like a mini One World Family, where tourists from all over the country and aboard go for an evening stroll. People simply forgot to go shopping or sights seeing, as all eyes were just staring at the divine light in the presence of Swamiji. His elegance, gracious looks and simplicity were enough to amaze the masses, as they were left with no choice, but to get infected by his contagious smile. Some foreigners from Brazil and Israel who took his blessings experienced a divine pull, and joined the padyatra, and attended the satsang and knowledge session thereafter. In short Gangtok was hit by the generous storm, and no less than 22,500 people were blown away pleasantly, which enriched them for their lifetimes.

SOME EXPERIENCES

“I do not know who he is, but his sheer presence was so divine and full of love that I had to go and take his blessings, I feel so good now,” – said Rupa, a localite, who was in M. G. Marg, when Swamiji arrived.

“A physically handicapped shop owner in Lal Market could not stop his tears when Swamiji himself came up to him and blessed him”.

A prisoner in Gangtok jail shared that he couldn’t bend his leg because of a bullet injury since many years. Immediately after the blessings from Swamiji, a miracle happened. He could bend his leg and he was ecstatic with joy. 

Anugrahotsavam at Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

The Art of Living Chennai organised the unique festival to create a wave of love and spirituality, ‘ Anugrahotsavam’, in Chennai. The program was blessed by the divine presence of Poojya Swami Sri Jyotirmaya-ji himself. 

To watch a video coverage of the program by the online newspaper Chennai Online, visit : http://www.chennaionline.com/video/index.aspx?vid=1555&Title='Anugrahotsavam'%20-%20From%20Art%20of%20Living&Page=0 

Love,

Suresh Nair

Reaching Out Spiritually - Anugrahotsav @ Kolkota

A man dressed in a beatific smile, with a hand constantly reaching out to bless the ones streaming in can most prospectively be a saint’s. One such saint, Swami Sri Madhusudan, has been walking Kolkata’s streets, doing exactly this, under the Art of Living (AOL) Padayatra program Anugrahotsav (the divine present).  
Swamiji is in the city to spread Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Said Swamiji about this spiritual-walking movement, “We are reaching out to more and more people as it is the need of the hour. They are waiting for us. We’ll give not only practical wisdom but also walk on the road.”  
Swamiji’s yatra has covered many parts of Kolkata including Manicktala, Beliaghata, Salt Lake, Rajabazar, Thakurpukur, Kalighat, Howrah, etc. On these walks, mostly covering half to 1 km, he is accompanied by AOL volunteers. Members are seen carrying placards with messages of peace, singing devotional songs, inviting and encouraging people to take Swamiji’s blessings, distributing smiley badges, fruits, biscuits and pictures of Guruji.
Ravi Ranka, volunteer, AOL says that in India people have faith in blessings of saints. “You can do good by many a means - by feeding others, helping at mental, financial, spiritual level. This movement is a spiritual one - the character of individuals changes by being blessed.”  
According to Seema Hirwani, another volunteer, this is an awareness program, which holds masses psychologically and thus facilitates linking between themselves and the larger society and spiritual self. “We are going to slum areas mostly as it is in these areas that the level of spiritual awareness is less and Swamiji’s blessing will give them an outlet which is restricted to the people of the upper strata usually.”  
India, known for it’s faith in the divine, has always had miracles during such journeys. One such miracle took place during this program. “We went to Nadia and this woman who had been confined to a wheelchair got up and started walking after Swamiji’s blessing!” recounted another volunteer.
Ajoy Saha, teacher at AOL, said that AOL envisions one world family with a smile on every face. Swamiji will be in Kolkata till November 6, whereon he will visit other northeast states and return to other parts of West Bengal including Durgapur, Purulia, Murshidabad, Aila affected area Basanti, Siliguri, Darjeeling, Gangtok, among others.  
Defining spirituality as ‘something very open, the essence of religion’, Swamiji’s message to people is, “People needs to broaden their vision, delve deep into their roots, see things in an open perspective, be centered and calm and responding to the needs of the moment without panicking, getting stressed or violent.”
  Having toured many parts of India, did Swamiji find anything different in Kolkata? “I felt the people in Kolkata are more deeply devotional than in other parts of the country.”

Anugrahotsav@Kolkota by Swami Madhusudanji and Our Chayanna

On the eve of 04-Nov-2009, Kolkota’s Dum Dum airport was ever busy with flights taking off & landing to/from various parts of the country & the world. Passengers were occupied in checking-in, getting security checked, luggage collection, boarding/getting down the flight etc.
Nearby, just next to Dum Dum airport, only the Divine's chosen ones were preparing for boarding the heavenly flight to Divinity of  'Anugrahotsav Airlines'. Instead of going into any formalities, they were simply pouring in huge numbers, the premises of Siddheshwari Temple. It was an extra terrestrial flight to be piloted by two Divine souls sent by Guruji to invoke the dormant feelings of devotion in the heart of the masses & imbibe the virtues of Love, Compassion & Belongingness.
Isn't this strange, that there was no No checking-in or No security check? The pre condition was simple but permanent Smile & it was automatic as the passengers left everything & gave priority to this inner journey.
The crew members were none other than dedicated teachers/volunteers, who enjoyed working together towards smooth & devoted journey for days. To enliven the celebration flavor of Bengal, the atmosphere was reverberating with the beat of DHAKS (Country made drums of Bengal) & volunteers were holding placards announcing the holy beginning of this movement (भक्ति की लहर).
The schedule time i.e. 4:30 pm saw the arrival of the first pilot Swami Madhusudan Ji and the aviation fuel was poured in the form of 'Charan Puja'. The seat belts were tightened as the passengers were blessed by Swamiji just before the flight took off in the form of Padayatra. In the meantime, the second pilot Swami Suryapaad Ji (Chhayapati Ji) took his seat & everybody around were spell bound by mere gesture of his kindness & compassion. The flight was roaring into heights & was taking everybody around into its stride as Chhayapati Ji was going to each & everybody, who were passing by - whether on foot, taxi, rickshaw or auto. The crowd was startled as nobody expects this kind of generosity now-a-days in today's strife ridden society full of jealousy & violence.
Swami Madhusudan Ji & Swami Suryapad Ji were Blessing anybody & everybody & the initially hesitant people soon broke their shackles by the glare of their eyes & calm looks on their faces. The fellow passengers were more than involved in singing bhajans one after another. The photograph of Guruji was distributed without any discrimination & due to HIS mystic smile the magic was ON!
 The first leg of the flight ended with the Padayatra & the passengers boarded the second leg without getting off or luggage check. The crew members comprised of the musicians also this time & all were set for the meditative inner journey. The seat belts were tightened again with 'Guru Puja' as more passengers joined Auro Hall & it was jam packed. Each & every Bhajan by Chhayapati Ji was preceded by 'Strotras' & gradually took all the passengers to Divine heights.
Our loving Guruji says......."When Hearts Open, Tears Come Out" and tears were rolling over the cheeks of the passengers as anubhooti of 'Presence' of GURUJI was felt to a great extent & devotees were simply diving into His stream of non-stop Blessings. The chanting of Strotras & rendering of Bhajans like 'Namo Sharada' & 'Narayani' in typical Chhayapati Ji's style soon forced the passengers to experience the highs of Meditation when the mind is hollow & empty. The angels deputed by GOD to be in Dum Dum yesterday were fortunate enough to collect the 'Tears of Gratitude & Devotion'. By the time......the flight landed, the divine pilot Chhayapati Ji had forced the passengers to come out of their shells & entire auditorium was in raptures with the rhythmic tapping of footsteps.
The occasion was marked by the presence of Shri. Sanjib Kr Chanda, Chairman & Shri. Hardev Singh, Vice Chairman of Dum Dum Municipalty, who along with the coucillors sought the Blessings of both the Swamijis on behalf of the entire populace of Dum Dum.
I heartily apologize for showing a mere lamp to a sun by explaining the proceedings yesterday evening as I was not present there. I asked a passenger yesterday night......"Yesterday's Double Dhamaka in Dum Dum was Scintillating OR Awesome OR Electrifying OR Extra-ordinary OR Mesmerizing OR Soul Stirring?” The passenger was pleasantly confused & replied "It was all in ONE & even more". The entire English vocabulary is too short to touch upon even 1 % of what actually the devotees (passengers) felt. That was another massive explosion from Guruji's artillery & His GRACE is engulfing Kolkata on the way to MahaShivaratri celebrations in Feb, 2010. We, the ever greedy, His chosen devotees can only say........"Yeh Dil Maange More”!!!
I'll conclude by throwing a surprise that everybody floated in this journey, where the cost of ticket was ZERO & reached the destination with a sense of fulfillment & spiritual enrichment. What more can I say other than........

"Love Really Moves the World"

At last, I'll appeal to all fortunate devotees of Dum Dum to spread these positive vibrations to other parts of Kolkata & West Bengal & not confine the nectar of His Blessings to that geography, which you all received in abundance.

In 'Anugrahotsav'........Together We Can & Together We Will! The World is so beautiful!! 

Content provided by Sri. Prasenjit Saha, Kolkota