Purnakumbha for the reception of Swami Raghuramaji and his Priests

The performance of Prayers, Pujas and Yajnas from 14th to 20th September 2010 was one of the very rare events, which took place in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

4 Top-Musicians, from South-India, Tamil Nadu, accompanied the Function with their heavenly Nadaswaram and Temple-drums, which created an atmosphere of its own.

Everybody could feel the presence of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, when 7 Priests, under the able guidance of Sri Raghuramaji Maharaj, started their prayers.

Different Yajnashalas and many Kalashas were established and the Prayers and Pujas started regularly in the morning at 4 AM, which, including small breaks, lasted till late evening.

First a special Puja was conducted in the early hours at the holy river Ganges, on the Omkarananda Public Ghat, Muni-ki-Reti. Maa Ganga was invited to bless the entire event for a great success.

Special worship was conducted for the Ashta Lakshmis (8 different forms of Divine Mother Lakshmi), wherein the Chiefpriest, Sri Hariharan, after long Prayers, gave the detailed explanations of the meaning of each Form of the 8 Lakshmis.

Shri Raghuramaji and his team were honoured with Malas and Purnakumbha at their arrival in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas	Professional Temple-musicians are playing Nadaswaram in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir
Kumari Somashekhari with Shri Raghu'ramaji and the Chief Priest Hariharan	Suvasini-Puja performed by Kumari Somashekhari

On 15th September 2010 afternoon Sri Raghuramaji invited 7 Suvasinis, who were worshipped with special Pujas by Kumari Somashekhari with the help of the Chiefpriest Sri Hariharan.

Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi appeared majestically in different Alankaras, like Kumkum-Alankara, Sandelwood-Alankara, Haldi-Alankara and glittering with beautiful ornaments and different colourful shining Saris.

Preparations for the Maha-Puja

During this special 7 days event the Navagrahas (nine Planets) were specially invoked and worshiped in hour-long Pujas and a special Hawana. The same was done for Shri Mahatripurasundari with Kalasha-Sthapanam and Kumkum-Archana during recitation of Lalita Sahasranama and a special Hawana for Her, as well as hour-long prayers, Pujas and Hawanas for Maha-Vishnu, Pujas and Hawanas for 11 different Forms of Lord Shiva, Pujas and Hawanas for Maha'lakshmi and 16 Forms of Lord Ganapati, all the Nakshatras (Stars), Seasons, Rivers, etc. etc.

Above and right: Preparations of Kalashas for the Pujas by Shri Raghuramaji and his Priests
Shri Raghuramaji with Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji	Arrangement for Mahalakshmi-Puja

A very special Shiva-Linga was established out of pure sand from the sea-shore of the ocean and worshipped.
The Yajnas and Pujas were performed by Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, President, Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Swami Satchidananda, Kumari Somashekhari and the Chiefpriest, Sri Hariharan, along with the other Expert-Priests from South-India.

Swami Satchidananda performs Hawana	Purnahuti for Shiva-Mahayajna

This Mahayajna was successfully organized by Shri Sukumarji, Trustee, who took all the pain to satisfy each and everybody.

Shri Raghuramaji, Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and Swami Satchidananda shortly before the dance-performance

Bharatanatyam Dance by Kumari Somashekhari

Without the highly classical Dance-Performance in Bharatanatyam, by Kumari Somashekhari, in the presence of all the Priests, Sri Raghuramaji and a big audience, the event would not have been complete.

Soma and her dance-students are offering flowers to Devi	Offering of Arati to Shri Swami Raghuramaji

The grand moment came, when on 20th September afternoon 108 holy Kalashas with Ganges-Water, Coconuts, decorated with flowers, were brought in a procession around Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, and then finally Abhishekam was made with them to Goddess Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

	Above: A special present has been offered to Swami Raghuramaji Right: Shri Raghuramaji sings a Tamil-Song, dedicated to Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
	Above: Shri Swami Satchidananda performs Maha-Lakshmi Puja   Left: Shri Raghuramaji, the Chief Priest Hariharan and Kumari Somashekhari are discussing the programs.    Below: The Kalashas with the holy waters and the powers of the holy prayers are going to Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

A special Thanks goes to this great Saint and Yogi, Sri Raghuramaji, the Chiefpriest, Sri Hariharan, all the other Priests and all those, who took part in this unforgettable divine and heavenly event.

The Temple-musicians lead the procession with Nadaswaram

OM SHRI PARAMAHAMSA OMKARANANDAJI KI JAY OM