Guru Purnima Celebration at Nerul Ashram
Despite the sudden downpour of rain on the eve of the festival, devotees from all over the city came undeterred, and converged at the Ashram to participate in the celebration of Guru Purnima on July 3, 2012.The day’s program started off with the Guru Paduka Puja at 9.00a.m. wherein libations (abhishekam) of milk, buttermilk, ghee, sacred ash and honey were offered at Amma’s Lotus Feet. The sacred Padukas were then adorned with flower garlands. As this ceremony was in progress, the Guru Stothram, Guru Paduka Stothram and the Ashtothram were chanted by everyone in unison. A couple of bhajans in praise of the Guru were sung. At the conclusion of the Paduka Puja, the Paduka Tirtham was distributed amongst devotees.
After a short interval, the Nava Graha Shanti Homam commenced in the beautifully ornated Yagnashala. The fervent repetition of the mantra, ‘Aum Shiva Shaktyaikya roopinyai Namaha’ rent the air, to the chanting of the Nava Graha Ashtothram. Some bhajans were sung. After the conclusion of the Homam, Mahaprasad (lunch) was served to all those assembled.
A Bharat Natyam recital by a nine-year old boy, Omkar, enthralled the audience at 3.00p.m. The cultural program was followed by a function to distribute rice, school book kits and pensions to the poor and destitutes in the nearby locality. A host of dignitaries was present on the occasion. There was a Lalita Sahasranama Archana at 4.30 p.m.,and a small bhajan session that culminated in the Maha Arati at 6.00p.m. After the distribution of prasad, the devotees dispersed contentedly.
