Brahmotsava
for Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir,
Muni-ki-reti, via Rishikesh,
from 26th to 28th March 2021

In the morning of 26th March 2021 the Brahmotsava for the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir started at an auspicious time in the Yajnashala of this beautiful Temple.
The Priests had established there a special Altar with a photo of Sadgurudev Shri
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and several Kalashas, in which the living Presence
of different Deities had been invoked by special Pujas and Prayers.

The Kalasha Puja was followed by a powerful Sarvadevata Hawana, conducted by Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, under the guidance of Chief Priest Suresh Panditji.

After Purnahuti, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, performed a special Arati, followed by Kumari Somashekhari.

Five of the precious Kalashas were carefully lifted from the Altar by the Priests, since they have
to be carried in a procession from the Yajnashala to their respected Shrines for Abhisheka.

The Priests, along with 5 Kalashas, have left the area of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. One Priest in front is constantly purifying the route with holy Ganges Water.

The first destination of the holy Kalasha Yatra is the Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti Temple, situated under a Banyan Tree in the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

Returning from the Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti Temple, the Priests pass
Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga-Mandir and move towards
the nearby Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple.

The Priests have reached the Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple where the special Kalasha
for Shri Omkara-Mahaganapati is placed inside the Shrine for Abhisheka.

The next Temple, into which again another Kalasha was put by the Priests,
was the lovely Omkarananda-Radha-Krishna Temple, which is situated
below the branches of a mighty Peepal Tree.

Among prayers the second last remaining Kalasha was put for Shri Omkarananda-Hanumanji
in His beautiful Temple, opposite to Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

The 5th and final sacred Kalasha was carried by the Priests into the Shrine of
Mahakala-Bhairava for Abhisheka. A very devoted South Indian Couple,
Mrs. Radha Amrithalingam and her husband, are witnessing the holy event.

All are back once again at the Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple. After that preparations
for Abhisheka and Alankara (nice decoration with fresh clothes and jewellery) of
all the 5 different Deities residing in their own Temples, are made by the Priests.

The cute Ganeshji, on the Gopuram of the Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir,
is watching over and protecting the holy proceedings.

After Abhisheka and Alankara for all Deities was completed by the Priests, a final Arati
and Pushpanjali was performed for each Divinity. Here one can see the Temple of
Mahakala-Bhairava, situated on a Hillslope in the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji performs Arati for the Deity inside the Shrine.

A Priest of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Shri Mukesh Panditji, blesses Shri
Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari with holy Vibhuti from the Shrine.

Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari are going
to offer Pushpanjali to Shri Omkara-Mahaganapati.

During daytime of the 27th March 2021, the second day of the Brahmotsava, the hardworking Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas had established a very grand Altar in the Mandapa (Temple Hall), facing the Main Deity of this Temple, the most lovely and most beautiful Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi. As usual a Photo of Sadgurudev Shri
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati had been placed on the Altar, along with a
picture of Lord Shiva and many holy Kalashas for the many Deities, residing in this Temple.
Below are Utsava Murtis of Maha-Saraswati and Maha-Lakshmi, with the
Utsava Murti of Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi between them.
Since the all-loving, supremely beautiful Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
holds a sugarcane in one of Her gracious Hands, the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram had decorated the middle of the Altar with fresh sugarcane from the field of a local Devotee.
In the night of 27th March 2021, one among the most important Priests of
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Shri Sanjay Panditji, who is well trained
in the rare Shri Vidya Pujas, performed elaborate Pujas at the Altar.

A team of other Priests of Omkarananda Ashram, under the guidance of Chiefpriest
Shri Suresh Panditji, who is equally well-trained in the Shri Vidya Pujas,
supported Sanjay Panditji with constant and powerful Prayers and Mantras.

On this photo one can see 300 small earthen Kalashas filled with holy Ganges water and
flower petals, arranged in different geometrical patterns on the floor of the Mandapa of
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. These 300 Kalashas represent
the 300 holy names or descriptions ( called "Trishati") of Divine Mother
Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, Who is identical with Divine Mother
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

The Priest had called Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, for Sankalpa and other Pujas.

Here one can see the Omkarananda Ashram Priest Shri Sanjay Panditji,
invoking the living Presence of the Supreme Divine Mother with the sacred
Trikhanda Mudra, which is a very important part in the Shri Vidya Puja.

Arati by Sanjay Panditji.

During powerful Prayers and Recitation of "Trishati" by the Chief-Priest Suresh Panditji,
along with other Priests, Sanjay Panditji worshipped all the 300 Kalashas - one by one - with Ganga Jal, fresh rose flowers, rice-corns, etc., since they represent 300 different aspects
of the Divine Mother Tripurasundari.

After successful completion of this Puja, Sanjay Panditji offers Deepa Aradhana for all
the 300 holy Kalashas, which are now fully charged with the Divine Powers of the
Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, Who is the same as
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Final Arati by Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji.

In the morning of 28th March 2021, the final and main day of the Brahmotsava for
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir: Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati
and Kumari Somashekhari are captured by the photographer at the beautiful Altar,
specially established in the Temple Mandapa for this holy Festival.

 It was a matter of great joy for all Ashramites and Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, that finally - after a gap of about one year (because of the Pandemic) - all the Vedic students of Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya, the heavenly Gurukul of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, situated at the holy Ganga, had been allowed by the Government to return for their studies.
These Vedic students are from different North Indian States. All of them enthusiastically
took part in the final day Celebration of the Brahmotsava, which started with a grand and powerful Yajna in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir,
conducted by the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

The specially trained Shri Vidya Priests of Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Suresh Panditji and Shri Sanjay Panditji, performed a Moola Mantra Navaavarana Homa, apt for this grand occasion.

Purnahuti was offered by Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati,
President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

After the Yajna, all Vedic students of the Omkarananda Ashram's Gurukul assembled
in the Temple Mandapa, while Chief Priest Suresh Panditji recited special Devi-Bijamantras,
which were accompanied by the corresponding sacred Mudras or hand gestures
by Priest Sanjay Panditji at the Altar.

The three direct Sannyasi Disciples of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, namely
Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and Shri Swami Satchidananda,
as well as Priests and Vedic Students are standing at the entrance of the
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, carrying the precious Kalashas from the Altar.
Before all start moving around the Temple, Sanjay Panditji is performing some
purification rituals for the protection of the Kalashas and those, who carry them.

The holy Kalasha Yatra has started, with Swami Vishveshwaranandaji taking the lead.
A Vedic student in front is constantly purifying the route with holy Ganges Water.

From time to time the procession around Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir stops,
so that the Priest in front can perform some short Pujas to ensure Divine Protection.

Now the Kalasha Yatra has come back successfully to its starting point, the Main Entrance
of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. From here the Kalashas are carried inside
the different Shrines for Abhisheka with the Prana-Pratishtha Murtis.

Shri Sanjay Pandit performs Abhisheka for the Navagraha Deities and
afterwards offers Arati, assisted by Mukesh Panditji.

After that, Abhisheka for all the Pranapratishtha Deities inside the different Shrines of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir start, while the young Vedic Students of the Gurukul, Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya, support the Priests with their powerful and
skilful Vedic Recitations.

On this holy occasion new Mangala-Sutras were offered to Padmavati Devi, Meenakshi Devi
and Chamundi Devi. The new Mangala Sutra for Padmavati can be seen on this photo,
before it was offered to the Goddess inside the Shrine.

Swami Satchidananda, Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari
are praying and watching the holy proceedings, while the Vedic students tirelessly
continue their recitations of different Vedic Hymns.

Now the Main part of the Brahmotsava has arrived, the grand Maha-Abhisheka for
Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi. Priests, assisted by some Vedic Students,
are slowly and carefully handing over the 300 small Kalashas into the Main-Shrine of
the Temple for Maha-Abhisheka of the Main-Deity, Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Some of the Vedic Students assist the Priests,
the others continue with their powerful Vedic Recitations.

After the completion of the elaborated Abhisheka, all Priests were busy with cleaning
the Shrines and adorning all Deities with new fresh clothes and nice ornaments behind closed curtains. During that time Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and Shri Swami Satchidananda thanked the Vedic Students of the Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya for their wonderful Recitations and rewarded each of them with Dakshina,
chocolates and a real Rudraksha.

While the Priests were busy inside the Shrines with nice decorations for the Deities,
the young students of the Gurukul Omkarananda Gayatri Vidyalaya took the opportunity
to take a walk through the beautiful and divine area of the Headquarters of
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and also see some of the other Temples, situated there.
Here they can be seen at the small but beautiful Shivalingam Temple. In the background
can be seen the colourful Tulsi Mandir and further back one can have a glimpse of
the Maha-Meru Mandir, which is very special, because constantly real, fresh
Ganges water is flowing over the Maha-Meru.

The children have proceeded further to have Darshan of the very beautiful
Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti, under a Banyan Tree. Since this is a Pranapratishtha Deity,
Photos of the Murti can not and should not be made.

Finally the Gurukul Students also had the Darshan of Shri Mahakala-Bhairava,
Who is the Kshetrapaal or "Watchman" or Protector of the whole area of
the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

All the wonderful students of the Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya have returned to the Mandapa of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir and patiently wait for the Grand Arati and Darshan of the most beautiful and most loving Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Some Sadhus had been invited for this occasion. Near the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
Temple a very tasty and healthy Prasadam was waiting for them and the Vedic students.

Assisted by Swami Satchidananda, Dr. Khanak, a wonderful Devotee from Gujarat,
distributed Dakshina to all Sadhus and the Vedic students.

Great care was taken, that the holy Sadhus receive only the best and most hygienic food.

After the completion of the Bhandara in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
the Sadhus proceed satisfied and happy to their homes.

A smaller, but still very beautiful and divine Altar had been established by the Priests in the Mandapa of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, for the special Brahmotsava Pujas
in the night of 28th March 2021, a bright Full Moon night. Inside the innermost Shrine of
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi a very long and elaborate Shri Vidya Puja - the
Navaavarana Puja - was conducted by the Omkarananda Ashram Priests.

Since it is a tradition to conclude these Divine Mother Pujas during the Brahmotsava with the Suvasini Pujas, Kumari Somashekhari had invited three pious married Ladies - three Suvasinis -
for this occasion. From left to right: Shrimati Madhvi Dua, Shrimati Radha Amrithalingam, Shrimati Vandana Vaid and Kumari Somashekhari.

The pious Suvasinis were respectfully given a seat in front of the Shrine of Divine Mother
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi. With the help of the Priests, Kumari Somashekhari
started the special worship for them. The three Suvasinis were worshipped and adored
as the three different Aspects of the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, Who is the same as Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.
Shrimati Radha Amrithalingam (in blue Sari) was worshipped as the form of Shri
Maha-Lakshmi, Shrimati Vandana Vaid, sitting in the middle (wearing a golden-yellow Sari),
was worshipped as Maha-Gauri and Shrimati Madhvi Dua (in the dark pink Sari)
was worshipped as Maha-Saraswati.

Each Suvasini receives the sacred Kumkum Tilak from Somashekhari.

After having offered fruits and gifts, like Saris, Bangles, Kajal, Kumkum, Lipstick, etc.,
to each Suvasini, Kumari Somashekhari performs Deepa-Aradhana for them.

Finally Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati blessed the three happy Suvasinis,
the Priests and Devotees with his joy-giving, encouraging and kind words of Wisdom,
which was very much appreciated by all. On this auspicious note, the Brahmotsava for Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir was successfully concluded.

OM SHRI OMKARANANDA-KAMAKSHI-DEVI KI JAY !!! OM