Full Moon Temple-Program, on Kartik Purnima,
in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, Muni-ki-reti,
via Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, on 18th November 2021

Kumari Somashekhari is extremely happy and joyous, that she can perform Indian Classical Temple-Dance in the beautiful Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, in the night of 18th November 2021.

Kartik Purnima belongs to one of the most significant among the Full Moon Days. Kartik Purnima is also called Tripurari Purnima, since on this day Lord Shiva destroyed three occult evil cities, which had been created by three demons and which were revolving in three different worlds, on earth, in space and in Heaven. Through these demonic cities all the beings of all the three worlds were tortured, and not even the Gods and Goddesses in Heaven were spared. Lord Shiva came to the rescue of all and in order to liberate them from their immense suffering, he destroyed the three evil cities in one stroke, burning them to ashes. All the Gods were overjoyed and celebrated this day as the day of Illumination. Therefore this auspicious event is also called the "Dev Diwali" or the Diwali of the Gods. On this day Millions of Deepas are lit at the banks of holy Mother Ganga, specially in Kashi (Varanasi), but also in other holy places, all over India. Behind the story of Lord Shiva, burning and destroying Tripura, the three evil demonic cities, there lies a deep mystical Truth and Divine Secret.

In Tamil Nadu and other Southern States of India this special Full Moon, Kartik Purnima, is considered extremely important, too.

On the summit of the most sacred place Thiruvannaamalai (the famous, holy Arunachala Hill in Tamil Nadu) is lit on this Purnima date, in the evening, a gigantic Deepa, for which 3500 kg of Ghee are required. The light of this extraordinary Maha Deepa can be seen in a radius of 35 kilometres. This Deepa is lit to celebrate the blissful event, when Lord Shiva appeared here on earth, on this place, as an unimaginably vast Pillar of Light, which had no beginning and no end.

Ashramites, Priests, Devotees and Guests have assembled for
the evening Arati for Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Above & Below:
Kumari Somashekhari worships different Deities
very beautifully through her Temple-Dances.

Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas - like always during such functions - inspired everybody with his divine speech.

Swamiji narrated the true story of a great enlightened Guru and a disciple, who was very rich. This rich disciple invited the Guru to stay in his house and he promised to the Guru to be always loyal to him. But one day the same disciple was tempted by the illusory power of Maya and therefore forsook his Guru and even ill-treated him, telling the Guru to leave. The Guru silently left, and he was welcomed in the home of a poor but nice and pious person. The arrogant rich former disciple did not know, that losing his Guru, he lost the greatest treasure in the world.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji warned, that any time something like this can happen to anybody in life. Very easily temptations can spoil the character of a person.

Swamiji further said, that losing a great Saint and Guru was the worst thing, which could have happened to the rich man. The presence of the enlightened Saint in his house would have ensured harmony, peace, joy and protection for him and his family. The Saint could have given him best advice, how to live a spiritually fulfilled and happy life. But the foolish rich man fell into the treacherous trap of the glitter and glare of Maya, the blinding sensual worldly power, which is in reality like a deadly poisonous pill, coated with sugar.

Whereas the poor, but goodhearted man, who invited the enlightened Guru to his simple house, was rewarded with infinite Divine Blessings, which are worth more than all the riches in the world.

Swami Vishveshwarananda further said, that we should ask ourselves, for which purpose we have come into this life ! Swamiji himself gave the answer: "Only for the Realization of the Truth !"

This Highest Realization will be possible only - Swamiji continued - if we spend our lives in sincere Prayers, Meditation, great selfless Service, Karma Yoga, and so on. If we do not have a spiritual purpose, we will go on suffering in the cycle of delusion and we will be reborn again and again with the same ignorance.

Swamiji concluded his impressive and thought-provoking speech, praising the beautiful and divine Culture of India, which is second to none.

Thus another wonderful Full Moon Temple-Program in the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir was completed, leaving behind a strong spiritual impression and spiritual encouragement in the hearts of all, who are open for Divine Truth, Wisdom and Beauty. OM