Omkarananda Jayanti Celebration,
on 25th December 2021

The beautiful and colourful Omkarananda-Hanuman Mandir, in South Indian Style, situated opposite the grand Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, in the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, had been specially decorated with fresh flower malas, since from here the annual Celebration of Omkarananda Jayanti starts in the morning with powerful recitation of Sundarkand.

Sitting on the floor, in front of Omkarananda-Hanuman-Mandir, Shri Geetaram Chamoli, a Vedic Scholar, Musician and Kathavachak, plays the Harmonium and at the same time powerfully chants the Sundarkand Path in a joyous way, accompanied by Musicians, Omkarananda Ashram Priests and Vedic Students. In the back row one can see a few Professors and Student Volunteers from Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology (OIMT).

For the first time the Cultural Function in Honour of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda was conducted in the beautiful Auditorium of the Omkarananda Saraswati Natya Kala Academy. The Master of Ceremonies, Prof. Dr. Apurvaa Trivedi, Dean Academics Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology (OIMT), heartily welcomed everybody to the Divine Festival of Omkarananda Jayanti, and informed, that on this auspicious day His Divinity Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, the born Sage, Mystic, Genius, Philosopher and Writer, appeared on earth for the welfare of whole mankind. Prof. Dr. Apurvaa Trivedi further explained, that Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati is regarded and worshipped by great Bhaktas, Saints, Sages, Scholars and Maha-Pandits as a "SAMPURNA AVATAARA", an Incarnation of God, which is complete, perfect and unsurpassable in each and every aspect.

Then Prof. Dr. Apurvaaji announced and explained all the following cultural and spiritual items, in Honour of Gurudev, in a dignified and soft-spoken manner.

Some students of the Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya, the Gurukul of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, recited "Bhaagya Sooktam" from the Shukla Yajurveda, for the Welfare, Happiness, good Health and Prosperity of all.

The very charming, lovely and always joyous Shrimati Shalini Rautela, wife of Mr. Rajiv Singh Rautela, honourable Principal Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College (OSN), rewards the bright and promising 8-year-old student Kumari Manasvi for her most excellent, flawless and melodious chanting of the Mahishaasura-Mardini Stotram, a composition by Shri Adishankaracharya.

The wonderful and very popular Folksinger, Shri Ramesh Uniyal, presented a special song in the local Language of the Garhwal Himalayas, in which he highlighted the Greatness of Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.

People in the audience are enjoying the program.

Everybody was thrilled to hear an important inspirational Quote from Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, told in perfect English by a cute 4-year-old Goddess, the very talented Kumari Gargi, who was, after her speech, felicitated and rewarded by Shrimati Vandana Vaid, a great Devotee of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

In Honour of her adorable Sadgurudev, Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari presented a Devi-Dance, choreographed by herself. Here one can see Kumari Somashekhari in the form of Goddess Minakshi, holding the parrot. The dance was awarded with great clapping.

Three small, lovely Goddesses, dance-students of Kumari Somashekhari, perform a heart-touching dance, dedicated to Gurudev and the Divine Mother. From left to right: Kumari Gargi, Kumari Arpita and Kumari Manasvi.

The sweet Goddesses received gifts for their beautiful and highly devotional dance by two honourable Guests, Shri Masterlok (left) and Shri Bakul Rajput (right).

Kumari Somashekhari is performing with full Devotion another Bharatanatyam Temple- Dance in Honour of her adorable Sadgurudev.

The Chief Guest of this function was H.H. Shri Swami Sundara Chaitanya, President Karttikeya Ashram, Rishikesh, who is since many years very closely associated with Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. He is an excellent Vedic Scholar and Kathavachak Acharyaji.

In his speech Swamiji expressed his real, honest and deep admiration for Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and His Mission, accomplished through Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, by His Successor Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President, Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Treasurer and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary, for the welfare of mankind, especially in the field of spirituality, culture and education.

Swamiji mentioned, that he is deeply concerned about the fact, that since several years a constant and very strong decline of the erstwhile holy atmosphere of Rishikesh and other areas at the Foothills or interior regions of the Himalayas has taken place. During the past years Rishikesh and other Himalayan places have been totally commercialized, overcrowded and are being used now mainly for worldly pleasures, not for what these places originally were meant to be. Swami Sundara Chaitanyaji exclaimed, that on the other hand Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and its divine cultural and spiritual Functions, like Omkarananda Jayanti, etc., are the REAL HIMALAYAS !!!

Being a Vedic Scholar, Swami Sundara Chaitanyaji cited in his speech some important Sanskrit Sayings and explained their meaning. One of them started with the words "Paropakaaraaya phalanti Vrikshaah ...", which means, that trees give fruits to others (not enjoying the fruits for themselves). Elaborating on this Sanskrit Saying, Swamiji said, that the majority of people in the world are selfish and live exclusively for themselves. Only very rare Sages and Saints sacrifice their lives for others, for the Society, and in such a category belongs Pujya Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, since He was sacrificing His entire life in the service for others, their educational and devotional Progress and spiritual Enlightenment. Swamiji further said, that Selfless Service can be done only by purehearted persons, like Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and His direct Disciples, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati and Kumari Somashekhari, along with their team.

H.H. Shri Swami Sundara Chaitanyaji, after paying his reverence to Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati again and again, strongly emphasized, that it is very rare to find such a divine and positive atmosphere, like during this Celebration of Omkarananda Jayanti in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

Finally, in his Vote of Thanks, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, praised and rewarded all, who are taking great pain in order to contribute to the divine activities of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and its many educational and spiritual Institutions. Here one can see Swamiji, honouring Dr. Anupam Vaid, Trustee, for his outstanding services.

Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, does not need and does not want any introduction. However, the Master of Ceremonies, Prof. Dr. Apurvaa  Trivedi,  Dean  Academics  Omkarananda  Institute  of  Management  and  Technology (OIMT), requested for a few minutes time to tell to the audience some important facts about Swamiji. He informed, that Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji was given Sannyasa Diksha by His Divinity Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and later on was appointed by Him as His Successor. In this regard Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati had beautifully mentioned: "Vishveshwarananda is a Karma Yogi by temper, character and choice and bears in his heart uncompromising and total Devotion to his Gurudev. Swami Vishveshwarananda is self-effacing and has no ambition to be the succeeding President from his Vice-President Position. Yet from the standpoint of the Institution he is the Successor. Such is his Devotion to the Gurudev, that he always wants to be Hanuman and not Lord Rama." *

Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati had also told about Swamiji: "Sri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati: His name signifies the Happiness of Lord Siva Vishwanatha of Varanasi, of Sivanananda Ashram's Vishwanatha Temple and of Omkarananda Ashram's Dipeshwara Temple. He is an Akhanda Brahmachari, one who has embodied in himself from childhood and youthhood unbroken principle of Brahmacharya." *

Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswatiji had also described the life of His Successor, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, as A FIRE OF SELFLESS SERVICE and ABSOLUTE DEDICATION TO THE GURU. In many occasions Gurudev had praised Swamiji's total DEVOTION and SURRENDER to the GURU, to the GURU as GOD and GOD as the GURU. Further Shri Paramahamsa Omkaranandaji had stated on several occasions, that Thousands and Thousands of children in the Garhwal Himalayas owe the Light of Education to Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda.

After this wonderful introduction by Prof. Dr. Trivediji, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati was requested to bless each and every one with his immensely kind, encouraging and joyous words. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji emphatically gave all the credit for the wonderful works in the field of Education, Culture and Spirituality by Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, under his guidance, exclusively to His beloved Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, the born Sage, Mystic, Philosopher and Writer. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji then cited a few very heart-touching and inspiring, deeply mystical Sayings by Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, through which those Listeners, who have a receptive Heart, got a Glimpse of the indescribable Greatness of His Divinity Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, His infinite Being, His Divine Wisdom, Mystical Power and Divine Beauty.

Towards the conclusion of his inspiring speech Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji expressed his special heartfelt Thanks to all active Participants in this cultural Program, and also to the Professors and Student Volunteers of OIMT and all others, who contributed in making the auspicious Omkarananda Jayanti Festival a great success.

Swamiji also thanked Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari for teaching the devotional form of Indian Classical Dance to the children and thereby propagating the beautiful Vedic Culture.

* Courtesy:
"A Glimpse of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati - His Lineage and His Mission", published in the Website of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas under the Subject "Publications".