Guest guest Posted September 10, 2002 Report Share Posted September 10, 2002 Hari Sarvothama - Vaayu Jeevothama Highlights of Sri Krishna Janmaashtami Mahothsava Retreat with Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, USA (August 30,2002 to September 01, 2002) By the Grace of Sri Hari Vaayu GurugaLu, Sri KrishNa Janmaashtami with His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji and group, Puthige MaTa, Udupi in an aashram at Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, USA. (18 miles south of Allentown) was celebrated in a grand scale. It is a quite, scentic rural area in Pennsylvania beautifully surrounded by distant mountains, huge woods with deers and rabbits running around. The Ashram is in the center of these surroundings with 24 spacious rooms, baths and kitchens. A huge tent was erected in the back yard for the concert, children's play and the sit-down dinner.The East coast which was torrid until the Janamaashtami day, cooled down to sixties and the rain poured whole day after Janamaashtami. It had not rained in PA for several months. Some of the highlights of the function are: On August 30, 2002 - Friday- Sri Krishna Pooja on the occasion of Janmaashtami- Argya to Lord Sri Krishna and Chandra - Organized by Swamiji- Some people had palahara prepared by Sri Vadishachar Most of the people observed Upavasa the whole day- JagaraNe with full spirit through the night filled with Devaranaamas. Chanted many Krshna sthothras like Krishnaahtothara, krishna sthuthi, Kamdaka sthuthiH, dvadasha sthothra, etc. We also danced to devaranamas.- JagaraNe concluded with HarivANa seva On August 31, 2002 - Saturday- Early Morning at 5:00 am Maha Pooje to Sri Vitala Devaru by Sri Puthige Swamiji.- Followed by PaaraNe around 8:00 am. Very good PaaraNe prepared by Sri Vadhishachar- In the evening we had VeeNa Consort by Shobha Baaru from India with Mrudhangam accompanied by GV Srinivasan. Wonderful Evening.- Kids had fun with their own little tents/huts specially installed for the them in the backyard. - Followed by Kids Program: 1) "Sudhama and KrishNa" - by Allentown Kids - The Play ended with Sri Krishna Stuti - pAlayAchyuta pAlayAjita pAlaya kamalaya. "Hasive Aayithu"/"Daari Yavudhaiya VaikuNtake Daari Thoorisaiya". Thanks to Vibha Srinivasan for her professional voice for the background songs during the play. 2) Bharatha Natyam by Washington DC Kids - Wonderful performance in a very short preparation time. - Thottilu Pooje accompanied by Vadhishachar's usual style songs uplifted our spiritual interest.- Had a good Dinner - Vana BhOjana- At night around 10:00 pm we had "Camp Fire" in the forest - with Dumb Charede/Songs/Riddles for kids. Had new experience for both the Adults and the kids. Thanks to Sri Keshav Rao and GV Srinivasan for having entertained the kids during the Camp Fire. Thanks to kids for having shown their full interests. On September 01, 2002 - Sunday- Started with Maha Pooje to Sri Vitala Devaru by Swamiji- Mouth Watering varieties for the Lunch- Kids program - Quiz/Essay Writing/Memory Game for little kids Well organized with sincere effort by Mrs. Rama Srinivasarao. All the kids (Including adults) had learned/enjoyed the program.- Bharatha Natyam - Good Performance by Arakali Sisters - Swetha and Suvya - The harikatha of Sri Vadisha char is about "Krishna and Gaja Gowri Vratha". In his 3.5 hour katha, Sri Vadishachar was so emotional and one could see the tears out of his eyes when ever he narrated kunthis's conversation with Krishna or Pandavas. During the harikatha, he cracked so many practical jokes with humor and made even kids laugh. Overall it was an emotional roller coaster filled with devotion to Lord krishna for 4 hours.- Prize Distribution by Swamiji to Kids for their wonderful effort and participation.- Mosuru kudike contest, demo of mosuru churning for children were skipped due to the weather and time. The impacts of this function are:- Brought the like focused families together and lifted their spiritual interest and awareness- provoked the eagerness of the kids to learn more stories from the puraNas and eagerly awaiting for the next pUja Party !!! * Thanks to Swamiji and Group, without whom the function could not have been this grand.* Thanks for Sri Bindu and Sri GV Srinivasan Families for their full hearted involvement through out the function.* Thanks to all the Krishna bhakthas for their participation in various Voluntary services and generous contributions.* Thanks to Kids for making the aashram as Gokula - running around with smile and happy feelings.* Thanks to Ashrama owners for turning their serene, rural setting on a peaceful wooded rural area as Sri Swamiji's chaaturmaasa kshethram.* Finally, needless to say - Thanks and our namaskaras to Sri Hari Vaayu GurugaLu for bringing everyone together and having accepted our seva and made this function possible with a Grand Success. As Always praying Sri Vitala Devaru to give every one of us more and more strength, in all aspect, to do lots of such devara sevas for ever. *** bhAratIramaNamukhyaprANA.ntargata shri kR^iShNArpanamasthu *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.