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

 

Anugrahotsav at Trissur Kerala

Kerala witnessed yet another miraculous blessing festival by Poojya Swami Sri Jyotirmaya at Trissur this week. Incidently Trissur is the hometown of Poojya Swamiji!

A crowd of more than 10,000 people expereinced the divine's grace through his perfect tool at the Neeranjaly Temple hall at trissur.

Swamiji was standing still like an idol for more than 12 hours to deliver the divine blessing to the believers, without food, without rest...

Many miraculous expereinces were repeated.. (Its not a miracle at all now... It just happens everywhere...)

More and more such expereinces are being reported everyday.... 

Snehasanjivani Padayatra and Anugrahotsav at Madiwala, Bangalore – 16 Sep 2009

On 16 Sep 2009, one more blessing festival happened at Art of Living Centre Madiwala – Sri Venkateswara Collage Madiwala.  Pad puja, Guru puja and Blessing happened at the centre. From the centre, Swami  Sri Jyotirmaya went to Sri Ayyappan Temple Madiwala along with  the Padayatra. Blessings were given to thousands of people there.

Snaps of the event can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/pmanish.rf/AoLMadiwalaAnugrahotsav2009#

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoNPH5-84ac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08LjAwOitX4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju5enj9vI-Q

Anugrotsav Experience at Meenakshi Temple,Bannerghata Road on 17Sep 09

Dear soul mates

I feel very blessed to have gotten the opportunity to organize the Anugrotsav of Swami Jyothirmayah at Bannerghata Rd along with my fellow teachers and volunteers on 17 Sep09.

I must say I got inspired after reading the experiences of Suresh Nair and Raj Waghray of organizing a similar Anugrotsav in their areas. And the "biggest" inspiration was reading about more than 1 lakh people getting blessed by our Swami Jyothirmayah at palkhad, kerala in 2 consecutive days with Swamiji standing continiously for 12+ hours on each day blessing people.

Thanks to our teacher Bala (returned from Middle East and is a full-time teacher in Bangalore now) who had blocked time of Swamiji for 16th & 17th for Madiwala & KR Puram. Since KR Puram area had course during that week, the slot on 17th Sep was available and Bala suggested if I would like to use it, given that I was planning to open a new center.

I just said "YES" to Bala knowing well that we had just 4 days in hand for 17th and what followed was sheer grace and miracle.

On 16th, Swamiji was in Madiwala area blessing people and I heard around 4000 people got blessed that day. The field report indicated that there were about 30-40 AoL volunteers and teachers who made the event in Madiwala a success.

Given that I was planning to open a new center on 17th, I just had the support of 2-3 volunteers who stayed near my house. That was a sheer contrast to what Madiwala had.

What follows is the sheer hand work of Gurudev when you have YES mind and give 100%. I personally called all the teachers in South Bangalore and requested them to grace the occasion with their volunteers apart from sharing in this teachers group id. I flashed the message on multiple yahoogroups on the day of Anugrotsav and sent FREE group SMS'es using gupshup to AoL devotees with Amuthan's help.

Unfolding of THE DAY - 17Sep09:

Swamiji based on his previous day experience at Madiwala had told us to make him stand in the venue sharp at 5pm (1 hour before original plan) to be able to bless more people. We quickly altered the plan to accomodate this new schedule.

I was to pickup Swamji from Ashram at 4pm and he called me at 3:20pm and asked me if it is raining at Bannerghata Rd. It indeed was raining that time but showed some sign of subsiding at Bannerghata Rd. As I was about to reach Ashram to pick up Swamiji, I saw unprecedented heavy down-pours happening around Nice Rd and Ashram area but some thing told me it will be taken care.

Swamiji arrived at new center sharp at 4:30pm. After Purna Kumba, Mangala Arathi, Padha Puja & Guru Puja and formally inaugurating the center, we reached Meenakshi Temple at 5:15pm. There was no sign of any rain (you know whose hand work was it) and people started coming on their own for blessings. The priest of Meenakshi Temple kept telling me to bring Swamiji inside temple for Puja but I told him once Swamiji starts blessings, he wouldn't stop in between and when he finishes with all blessings, he would come in. The priest felt (based on his last 10-yrs experience) that the crowd won't last more than 30-mins in Meenakshi Temple given that it was early & remote. But the crowd kept adding up one-by-one and it went on for 2-hours. We had close 20+ teachers/volunteers working actively to streamline crowd, hand over new course launch handout and Guruji's picture, standup-satsang etc., I had also taken police permission from 4 police stations if we were to go on padayatra. We had close to 7 policemans deputed at Meenakshi Temple to take care of the event before we arrived.

At 7pm, Swamiji decided to get in to temple for Puja and then we moved to Reliance Mart, Arekere.

Swamiji was standing in the big parking lot of Reliance Mart and started blessing people and people started pouring in. Here we vitnessed a great miracle of one Mr.Bernard whose mother was missing for last 4-days, getting a SMS confirmation on his phone that his mother Marry was safe, the moment he took the blessings. He was jumping in JOY and we recorded his experience in multiple languages as he could speak 4-languages.

At 9pm, we moved to inside Arekere market place and here again people started pouring in. People from all walks of life automatically started standing in the queue. We saw a bus driver and conductor, leaving the bus in the middle of road and come running for blessings. We saw traffic constables coming together taking blessings. One more miracle we recorded in Arekere market was that one lady who came to Meenakshi Temple to take blessings was very moved and wanted to get her sister and daughter to take blessings. But by the time she brought both of them, we had left Meenakshi Temple and the priest had told her that we were planning to go to a temple in Arekere (that was the original plan which we changed on the fly). This lady with her sister and daughter waited in the Arekere temple for more than an hour and was feeling really terrible for not being able to get blessings. And they were returning home and alas they find Swamiji standing right in front of their house (Arekere Market) and blessing people. All these 3 people were jumping with ecstasy after the blessings and kept saying Gurudev knows how to answer a sincere prayer.

Swamiji finished blessing people by 10pm and thus ended an eventful day of blessings with Swamiji blessing close to 3000 people in sheer span of 4+ hours.

When I went to drop Swamiji to Ashram, we updated Gurudev about the event and HE was happy to note the details. I even showed HIM the recorded experiences from my blackberry.

Special thanks to all teachers in south bangalore who came with their volunteers to make this event a grand success; it was just a day notice and all of them were there to grace the occasion & contribute. Special thanks to teachers: Bala, Manikantan, Vaibhav, Rekha Prasad, Manjunath, Shankar, Girish, Hema, Bharat (he came all the way from Marathahalli), Supriya for personally coming and making this event a memorable one.

So what are you waiting for - Just get going with Anugrotsav in your area - If 3000 people can get blessed in an outskirt like Meenakshi Temple, Bannerghata Rd, it is beyond our imagination. People are just waiting to be blessed and this is the BEST way to spread AoL awareness in mass in your area.

Looking forward to read your sharing / experience of Anugrotsav soon.

(Content Contributed by Srinivasan Ramachandran, AOL teacher, Bangalore)

Swamiji at Puthoor Kollam

More than a lakh people experiencing the divine grace... in 2 days !!!

As the heavens opened up with cool showers after a hot week, Palakkad was set spinning in bliss by Swami Jyothirmayah at the Anugrahotsav 2009. In a span of two days, more than 1lac twenty thousand people (most of them new to Art of Living) experienced the love and compassion of the Master through our beloved Swamiji.

On July 27th and 28th, Palakkad town hall witnessed the exhilarating scene of Swamiji standing continuously for more than 12 hrs, each day, to bless the incessant stream of people. Lakhs of people from all strata of society, of all ages and all backgrounds; including communist politicians, house wives, students and so on flocked in to be a part of this historic event in Palakkad.

While some of them were suffering from chronic and fatal diseases; some were tormented with fears of never being able to live a life of normalcy, and some others dejected and depressed.The one thing that most of them had in common was that they were stuck at some point in life, down in the dumps and sinking. With the silent grace of the Master flowing through the divine presence of Swamiji, they had the experience of their life time, transfoming them profoundly. Followed by the satsang, which had people ( even the new-comers) singing, dancing and rejoicing, each one of them left the hall carrying a wide smile of happiness and a fresh and rejuvenated life.



Most of them were desperately in need of a helping-hand and Anugrahotsav gave them a new life. The tears of gratitude and the smiles of joy in these people were an eye-opener to the fact of how urgent and important it is to reach this knowledge to more and more people.

Guruji was extremely delighted at the success of the event and has suggested that similar events be organized in all cities across the country.

Our master's grace and knowledge is the best and the only way to keep this world happy and smiling…and there isn’t a better time than now to start off.

Let’s gear up for more eye-popping miracles and tears of gratitude with more Anugrahotsavs coming up in the rest of the country...


(Content contributed by Sri. Prasobh P from Kerala)