Sri Swamiji's USA visit covered in Star of Mysore

[Guest guest]

GANAPATI SEER'S DISCIPLES BUILD HANUMAN CULTURAL CENTRE IN US

 

 

 

It was the wish of the Swamiji to have a Datta Yoga Centre in US. Within

two years it became a reality. His devotees have built the centre on a

10-acre plot. During his recent US tour, the Swamiji inaugurated it and

named it as Hanuman Cultural Centre.

 

The idea of a full-fledged Cultural Centre of Sri Ganapati

Sachchidananda Swamiji in US, took birth in the year 2007 on the

occasion of Guru Poornima in Toronto. It took a shape in 2008 when the

Swamiji flew from Trinidad Hanuman Temple Anniversary to bless the newly

acquired 10 acre plot in Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan Area in Northern

Texas. For the next few months, devotees from all over the country

supported the Dallas group of devotees in building a Centre of Cultural

Excellence.

 

The centre was rightly named by the Swamiji as Hanuman Cultural Centre,

where devotees could nurture and develop their talent in music, dance,

language and dharma. As per the designs approved by the Swamiji, the

Dallas group had constructed a magnificent prayer hall, kitchen, 6 class

rooms and other utilities in the first phase of the project under the

auspices of Datta Yoga Center — US.

 

The Swamiji, who inaugurated the Centre during his recent US visit, was

indeed happy with the resolve and commitment of the devotees and

commensurately awarded their efforts with four important programmes

namely: Inauguration of Hanuman Cultural Center, Hanuman Raga Sagara,

Guru Poornima Celebrations and 4th GNAA NAA BHA Yoga Sammelan.

 

The Swamiji landed at DFW International Airport from Evansville on June

27. He was received by a group of devotees, including Datta Raksha

Mantra chanting children from Bala Datta group. The Swamiji visited the

38 houses of local devotees who worked for the Centre. The 500 mile

travel, spread over three days proved the abundance of compassion and

affection the Swamiji had for the group.

 

The Swamiji visited Sri Rama Mandir at Plano Temple on July 1. Many

Hindi-speaking devotees congregated to listen to the Swamiji. Speaking

in Hindi, The Swamiji advised people to take a look at Yoga Vaasishtha

and Adhyatma Ramayana and blessed the Temple.

 

Even as the construction was in the final stages, Swamiji decided to

inaugurate Hanuman Cultural Centre of Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple on

the auspicious occasion of Ashadha Shukla Ekdashi. Being a Friday of

Ashadha Masa added importance to the day.

 

The Swamiji offered Poornahuti for the Homa and unveiled the idol of

Hanuman at the entrance along with the inauguration plaque. During Sri

Chakra Puja, Vasundhara played Veena, accompanied by Narasimha on

Mrudangam. Hundreds of devotees thronged the hall. Dr. VV Prakash Rao,

President of Datta Yoga Center, welcomed the Swamiji. Bharat of Florida,

who nearly completed the structure in a very short time, was blessed

along with Thimmayya, architect of the Centre.

 

The first ever cultural program in Mysore Ashram (in 1966 during

it's inauguration) was a veena recital by R.S. Keshava Murty and

here in Dallas, history was repeated. Pancha Mukha Anjaneya Mantra was

recited by the Swamiji for the welfare of devotees. He said, this Mantra

was being given to all as a gift on the occasion of inauguration.

 

Spiritual Camp

Earlier in the morning, the Swamiji blessed the children participating

in the spiritual camp, attended by children of all ages in Montessori of

Frisco. Addressing the gathering, the Swamiji compared the five faces of

Hanuman to the phenomena of five elements.

 

Remembering this guise of Hanuman would result in the protection of mind

and body, he advised children to learn native languages and music for

harmonious development.

 

Concert at Bass Hall

The Independence Day of the US on July 4 was also the day of Hanuman

Raga Sagara — music for meditation and healing — conducted by

the Swamiji at the prestigious Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth,

Texas.

 

The multipurpose auditorium with a seating capacity of 2056 is like a

jewel in the crown of the city which boasts of being USA's third

largest cultural district. It is also an important symbol of one of the

most successful downtown revitalisation efforts in the country. Built

entirely with private funds, Bass Performance Hall is permanent home to

the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth

Opera and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn

Concerts.

 

The programme started with the welcome speech of Laxmi Tummala. It was

followed by the recitation of the National Anthems of the United States

and India. Dr. Phanishree spoke about the therapeutical aspects of Sri

Swamiji's music.

 

Rishi Prabhakar, founder of Siddha Samadhi Yoga, inaugurated the event

by lighting the lamp. Kali Ray of Tri Yoga offered for release, the DVD

of last year's Meditation Concert held at Lincoln Center, New York.

 

The music of the Swamiji started at 7 pm with Pranavasvarupam in

Rishyaketupriya Raga. The main item of the day was Hanuman Raga Sagara

comprising five Ragas.

 

The Swamiji played the last one, Raga Shanumukapriya very eloquently.

— MRS