Shri Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
on 2nd September 2019

The Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas started
on 2nd September 2019 in the beautiful Yajna-Shala of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir,
the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

During a special Puja Shri Mukesh Panditji offered Karpura Arati and fruits to
a lovely Altar of Lord Ganesha in the Yajna-Shala.

Lord Ganeshji, the Remover of obstacles on the spiritual path,
is surrounded by fresh flowers, bilva-leaves and fruits.

The Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas conducted a powerful Ganapati Homa,
under the guidance of Chief Priest Suresh Panditji.

Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati offered the Purnahuti.

After the conclusion of the Ganapati Homa Shri Swami Satchidananda performed
a special Arati for Lord Ganesha and also offered fresh flowers to the Altar.

Swami Satchidananda and the Priests start a holy Kalasha Yatra from
the Yajna-Shala of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir.

The Kalashas are carried around the beautiful Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir,
constructed in the typical South Indian Style. This Temple is situated just in front of
the Main-Entrance of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir, the Headquarters of
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, seen on the left side.

Swami Satchidananda and the Priests conclude their Kalasha Yatra in front of the entrance
to the Garbha Griha, the Sanctum Sanctorum of Shri Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir.
All are blessed with fresh flower-petals by Shri Sanjay Panditji, before the Kalashas are
finally put inside the Shrine for Abhisheka with Shri Omkara-Mahaganapati.

The beautiful Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir, including its Gopuram, has been decorated
by the Priests with flower-malas and fresh Mango-leaves. In the background one can see a
part of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir, the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
The Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple is situated under the shelter of a very special tree.
A great South Indian Priest, the late Shri Kamakoti Shastriji, Chiefpriest of Kanchi-Kamakshi
Temple in Kanchipuram, who was very closely associated with Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
had explained, that this tree is very auspicious and specially dear to Lord Ganesha.
When it blooms, it is shining with cute, tiny mauve / pink flowers. During gentle wind-breeze,
the tree is showering its beautiful flowers on the Gopuram and the surrounding area of the
Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir, which makes this holy place even more heavenly and delighting.

Shri Swami Satchidananda performs a special Arati for Lord Omkara-Ganapati,
accompanied by the Priests. After that the Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations were
concluded with distribution of a nice Ganesha-Prasadam to all Devotees.

Om Shri Ganeshaya namah Om