Bhajan, Kirtan and Sadhu Bhandara
in Honour of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, at Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir,
on 26th December 2012

The Celebration of Omkarananda Jayanti, on 25th December 2012, had been a great success and an unforgettable event.

In the morning of 26th December 2012 the Celebrations in Honour of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati continued with Bhajan and Kirtan in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. Many Sadhus from other Ashrams had been invited to join this event and afterwards take part in Bhandara.

But in the meantime the weather had become worse. It was terribly cold, foggy and cloudy.

Everyone was worried, whether due to these odd weather conditions any of the invited Sadhus would come to join the Celebrations.

Nevertheless the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas started their joyous Bhajans in the Temple-Hall of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, accompanied by local musicians, and supported by Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda, Kumari Somashekhari, Swami Pragyananda, Shri Sukumar and others from Omkar­ananda Ashram.

Shri Gopalacharyaji in his Katha about "Amrit", the Nectar of Immortality.

The Mahant of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, addresses the Sadhus, while Kumari Somashekhari is translating into Hindi.

Many Sadhus in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir are listening attentively to Swami Vishveshwarananda.

Shri Gopalacharyaji expresses his joy and gratitude towards Swami Vishveshwarananda.

Shri Gopalacharyaji, a prominent Kathavachak from Rishikesh, narrated a story in the form of a small Katha, telling the devotees, where the real "Amrit",  the Nectar of Immortality, can be found.

 In the meantime, to the great surprise and joy of all Inmates of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, a huge crowd of Sadhus started gathering in and around Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, in spite of the bad weather-conditions!

Shortly before Noon-time, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President of Omkarananda Ashram, got up and started addressing the gathering of the Sadhus, joyfully and powerfully.

Swamiji's speech was simultaneously translated into Hindi by Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji expressed his great joy of seeing so many Sadhus assembled in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and he praised and adored them.

He said, that the life of a real Sadhu is worshipful and adorable, since it is a holy and a divine life, centred around the Divine and not around worldly or selfish matters, and what Thousand Netas (Political Leaders) cannot do, one single Sadhu can accomplish!!!

At this point of the speech the Sadhus gave a rousing applause to Swami Vishveshwaranandaji!

Swamiji further told to the Sadhus about the Greatness of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who had gone from India to the West, to teach the people there the real Vedic Science.

He further said, that it is very difficult and requires great sacrifices to become a Sadhu, or a Sannyasi, and live a real Sadhu-life, but it is even more difficult to make others become Sadhus - and this is what Swami Omkarananda did.

Swamiji concluded his wonderful speech for the Sadhus by thanking them again and again for coming and attending Omkarananda Mahotsava Celebrations in spite of the horribly bad weather.

After his speech many many Sadhus approached Swami Vishveshwarananda and told him with shining and smiling faces, that they liked his speech very much! Some of them even embraced him happily!

It was a heart-touching sight, indeed …

This harmonious and joyful Sadhu-gathering in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas was concluded with the special Omkarananda Arati, performed in Gurudev's Shrine, and afterwards all Sadhus were invited to have a most delicious Prasadam in form of Bhandara, next to the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple.

Sadhu Bhandara in front of Omkarananda-Hanuman Mandir.

Shri Swami Satchidananda distributes Dakshina to the Sadhus.

Sadhus in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas after a successful Bhandara.

Among chanting of Vedic Hymns and repeated joyous exclamations of "Om Namah Parvati-Pataye, Hara Hara Mahadeva, Hara!!!"  hundreds of Sadhus enjoyed the special Bhandara, arranged for them in Honour of Gurudev Shri Swami Omkarananda Saraswati.

Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Treasurer of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, distributed Dakshina to each and every Sadhu.

After the Bhandara all the Sadhus walked around peacefully or sat down for a while in the beautiful natural surroundings of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and its Temples.

Their fiery orange robes and their smiling, bright faces more than made up for the missing outer sunshine.

Thus the second day of Omkarananda Mahotsava 2012, in Honour of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, was concluded successfully and on a very happy note.