Guru-Purnima Celebration
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
on 23rd July 2021

The proper and auspicious time for celebrating Guru-Purnima in North India,
Rishikesh, Muni-ki-reti, started from 11 AM, 23rd July 2021.
Inside the Sarvadevata Mandir, situated within Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir,
the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, the Altar of Sadgurudev
Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, with His Photo and His Padukas,
had been prepared for special Pujas by the Omkarananda Ashram Priests.
Since most of the Murtis in this beautiful Temple have been given Life by special
Pranapratishtha Ceremonies (like Lord Ganesha, Shri Venkateshwara and Padmavati,
Shri Meenakshi Devi and Sundareshwara, etc.) photos of these Murtis can not be shown.
For the Guru-Puja only photos from a certain angle could be taken.

Here one can see two direct Sannyasi Disciples of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, sitting in front of the Altar, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. They took actively part in the Puja for their adorable Sadgurudev and were assisted by the Omkarananda Ashram Priests.

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda offers Arati to Gurudev.

The holy Silver-Padukas of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati had been taken away from the Altar and placed into a nice big plate for Abhisheka. While Shri Sanjay Panditji and others were reciting Prayers, Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari poured different ingredients over the Padukas, like cow's milk, honey, ghee, curd, etc.

Through two big, beautiful, white Shankhas (conch shells), Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari let holy Ganges water slowly and gently flow over Swami Omkarananda's Padukas.

Another direct Sannyasi Disciple of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati,
Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Treasurer Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
takes part in the Abhisheka for Gurudev's Padukas with Ganga Jal.

After the Padukas had been cleaned and dried, Priest Sanjay Panditji put them on the head of
Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda as Gurudev's Blessings, since Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati was appointed by Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa
Omkarananda Saraswati as His Successor.

Fruits and a sweet dish, prepared by the Priests, are offered with Prayers to
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati. As a part of the Naivedyam Puja,
Kumari Somashekhari shows the Dhenu Mudra.

All the three direct Sannyasi Disciples of Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati
perform the Omkarananda Arati for their beloved Sadgurudev.

After conclusion of the Guru-Puja, from left to right, standing: Kumari Somashekhari,
Swami Vishveshwarananda and Swami Satchidananda, the three direct Sannyasi Disciples of
Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
Sitting from left to right, behind: Shri Suresh Panditji, Chief Priest, and Priest Shri Mukesh Panditji.
Sitting in front: Priest Shri Sanjay Panditji. These three Shri Vidya Priests are the most important
Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, who faithfully do their Pujas, Hawanas, etc.,
daily, since more than 20 years, no matter how the outer conditions are.
One may notice on this Photo, that all participants in the Guru-Purnima Puja are drenched in sweat,
because on this day was a tremendous heat and a terrible, almost unbearable humidity.
But in spite of that, by Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati's Grace,
all Pujas were continued in the same Divine Spirit.

OM
SADGURUDEV
SHRI PARAMAHAMSA OMKARANANDA SARASWATI KI JAY !!! OM

In the afternoon Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda and Shri Swami Satchidananda took great care,
that the sound- and mike-system in the Temple works nicely and properly for
the further Guru-Purnima Celebrations in the night.

After the Evening-Arati, Neha announced the further Guru-Purnima Program,
including Kumari Somashekhari's Indian Classical Dances.

In Honour of her adorable Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and
as her humble offering in Gratitude to Him, Kumari Somashekhari presented a powerful
Bharatanatyam Temple-Dance, which rendered the whole atmosphere sparkling.

In between the Temple-Dances of Kumari Somashekhari was a presentation by the popular
local Singer, Shri Ramesh Uniyal. He had come voluntarily forward to offer his own composition
in the Garhwali language (the local language of the Garhwal Himalayas) on this occasion.
Through his song he expressed his admiration and adoration for Sadgurudev Shri
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, and for the contribution of His three Main
Sannyasi Disciples in India, Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda and Kumari
Somashekhari to His Mission and the manifold activities of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

The audience enjoyed the beautiful and devotional song of Shri Ramesh Uniyal.

Shri Swami Satchidananda skilfully filmed this wonderful Guru-Purnima Program,
while Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, equally skilfully, took care for an excellent sound system.

Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari completed her Adoration and Worship of
Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati with the Omkarananda-Arati.

There could not have been a better crowning conclusion to this holy event than the Speech
and Blessings by Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. While addressing all the Devotees in the Temple, Swamiji was
specially emphasizing the great importance of the Presence of an enlightened Guru in one's life.

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda spoke in such an amazing and dynamic way, that he looked like a
Divine Fire-Flame ! All the Devotees listened very attentively and they definitely were deeply
inspired by Swamiji's fiery, divine speech. His Divinity Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati
could not have appointed a more worthy Successor than Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati.

Swamiji did not forget to honour and reward Singer Ramesh Uniyal for his beautiful presentation, and
he also expressed his special Thanks to the hardworking Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

Finally Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati specially greeted and honoured an
important local Personality, Shri Govind Aggarwal, a Shri Vidya Upasaka, which means,
a Worshipper of the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, Who is identical with
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi. The Chiefpriest of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
Shri Suresh Panditji, smilingly looks on.

This special Guru-Purnima Celebration in Honour of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati was concluded with Prasad Distribution to all. OM SHRI PARAMAHAMSA OMKARANANDA SARASWATI KI JAY ! OM