Jaipur - Guru Vandanā Mahotsava Strengthening the Connection with the Divine
Uttar Bhārat Yātrā of H.H. Shrīmat Sadyojāt Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī
March 5th to April 1st 2025
Jaipur Camp (13th – 16th March 2025)Inputs by Divyā Rāmdeo
With more than 250-300 sādhaka-s from various cities like Jaipur, Bharatpur, Chittorgarh, Delhī, Jodhpur, Bīkāner, Nāgaur, Sīkar and Mathurā, the Guru Vandanā Mahotsava at Jaipur was a joyous celebration filled with devotion and heartfelt gratitude to the Guru's Lotus Feet.
For many local sādhaka-s, this was their first opportunity to have H.H. Swāmījī’s Darshana, making the venue bustle with eager anticipation and excitement. Every face had an uncontainable smile while waiting for Pūjya Swāmījī and the entourage to arrive. Everything was set. Ladies dressed in vibrant red Bāndhanī sārī-s, stood gracefully in line at the venue entrance, holding kalasha-s in their hands. The grand sounds of the d͟hola and shehnāī filled the air, adding a beautiful and auspicious musical backdrop to the moment.
13th March 2025
Pūrṇakumbha Swāgata and Pādapraks͟hālana
An auspicious start…
And then, the long-awaited moment arrived as H.H. Swāmījī stepped in and waves of joy swept over the gathering. Rose petals were showered all around, and every eye sought that first glimpse of Him.
Bhakta-s of Jaipur were waiting with thumping hearts to offer Pūrṇakumbha Swāgata to Divinity in human form and to offer Pādapraks͟hālana - to offer water over the sacred Feet of their Beloved Guru. Guru’s Feet alone will take us across this vast ocean of saṁsāra!
13th March 2025
Swāgata Dharma Sabhā
Following the Pūrṇakumbha Swāgata and Pādapraks͟hālana by Jagannāth Sharmājī, the Guru Vandanā Mahotsava commenced in the evening with a Dharma Sabhā at 5 p.m. followed by an A̅shīrvachana by H.H. Swāmījī, Shrī Pādukā Pūjana and Tīrth Vitaraṇa. The Dharma Sabhā set the tone for the coming days of learning, devotion, and strengthening deep connection with the Guru of the Sāraswat-s who had gathered from many towns of Uttar Bhārat.
In His A̅shīrvachana, H.H. Swāmījī emphasized the importance of antarmukhatā through Japa and how one should use that strength to perform effective sevā.
14th March 2025
A Holī to remember
The morning was marked by vibrant, colourful celebration as it was the festive occasion of Holī. For the sādhaka-s here, it was an unforgettable moment, unlike any other. They had the rare opportunity to celebrate it in the Divine sānnidhya of the Guru.
14th March 2025
Sanskrit Sambhās͟haṇa
Sanskrit Sambhās͟haṇa in the evening encouraged sādhaka-s to converse in simple Sanskrit, the Deva Bhās͟hā in a fun manner. The joy of speaking in Sanskrit brought a newfound appreciation for its beauty and significance in spiritual traditions.
14th March 2025
Shrī Devī Pūjana
15th March 2025
Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa
The morning started with an Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa by sañchālaka-s:
● Shrī Gāyatrī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa for Purus͟ha sādhaka-s
● Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa for Mahilā sādhikā-s
The Prashiks͟haṇa provided guidance giving a gist of the meaning of the mantra-s involved, mantrocchāraṇa and the correct process of performing the Anus͟ht͟hāna-s, ensuring sādhaka-s implement these Anus͟ht͟hāna-s as a part of their sādhanā in their lives.
15th March 2025
Power Point Presentation
Later in the morning, Dr. Chaitanya Gulvāḍy mām, Dharmaprachāraka of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, made a very informative and excellent presentation, on Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Guruparamparā and the ongoing projects of the Mat͟h. This presentation provided a better understanding into the Mat͟h’s rich legacy and sevā initiatives.
15th March 2025, 11 a.m.
Swādhyāya by H.H. Swāmījī
During Swādhyāya, H.H. Swāmījī explained the first two verses of the bhajana "Bhāsurā Shrī Bhavānī…". Pūjya Swāmījī briefly guided everyone on the correct technique preceding daily Japa. The session concluded with Tīrtha Vitaraṇa by H.H. Swāmījī.
15th March 2025
Sanskrit Sambhās͟haṇa
During late afternoon, an interactive session on Sanskrit Sambhās͟haṇa was conducted. This session encouraged participants to practice conversational Sanskrit, making the divine language more accessible and engaging.
15th March 2025
Kailās Mānsarovar Yātrā
Following the Sanskrit Sambhās͟haṇa satra, Dharmaprachāraka, Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Dr. Chaitanya Gulvāḍy mām through an impactful powerpoint presentation, narrated experiences of one of the most memorable yātrā-s, H.H. Swāmījī’s Kailās Mānsarovar Yātrā of June 2001. Needless to say, the devotees present were mesmerized!
15th March 2025
Shrī Shiva Pūjana
Dīpanamaskāra and Shrī Shiva Pūjana performed by H.H. Swāmījī in the evening filled the hearts of Jaipurvāsī-s with joy and peace.
15th March 2025
Saṁvāda with H.H. Swāmījī
Amongst many experiences that the bhakta-s shared, during the informal interaction with H.H. Swāmījī, a devotee couple from Bhīlwārā mentioned how they came for just two hours to Jaipur to attend the camp only to stay back for two days in the Divine sānnidhya of H.H. Swāmījī!
16th March 2025
Prāṇāyāma and Nināda
The last day at Jaipur camp began with a morning of introduction to and practice of Prāṇāyāma and Nināda, as per Pūjya Swāmījī’s Guidance on weaving Prāṇāyāma, Nināda, and simple stretching exercises into our daily routine. In the session, Kapālabhāti, Bhastrikā, and Nināda were explained and demonstrated providing a practical understanding of these essential practices.
16th March 2025
Shrī Gāyatrī Anus͟ht͟hāna and Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna Prashiks͟haṇa
Later, a follow-up session on Shrī Gāyatrī Anus͟ht͟hāna and Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna reinforced the Prashiks͟haṇa conducted the previous day.
16th March 2025
Shrī Bhavānīshaṅkar Mahā Pūjā
The day proceeded with the Mahā Pūjā of the Ārādhyadevatā of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, Shrī Bhavānīshaṅkar. It was performed by the vaidika-s invoking Divine Blessings of the Lord for all sādhaka-s.
16th March 2025
Concluding Dharma Sabhā
The Concluding Dharma Sabhā marked the official closing of the Guru Vandanā Mahotsava at Jaipur. This session included Ks͟hamāyāchanā and Vote of Thanks by Dheeraj Kaushikjī, and an A̅shīrvachana by H.H. Swāmījī where Pūjya Swāmījī continued explaining the last few verses of the bhajana "Bhāsurā, Shrī Bhavānī…". This was followed by Vaidika Sambhāvanā, Tīrtha Vitaraṇa, and Phalamantrāks͟hata.
16th March 2025
Jaipur sightseeing
The Sañchālaka-s explored a little of Jaipur, visiting Hawā Mahal, Jal Mahal, A̅mber Fort, and Govind Devjī Temple at Kanak Bāgh.
16th March 2025
Dīpanamaskāra and an Informal interaction with H.H. Swāmījī
The day concluded with Dīpanamaskāra and an informal and deeply enriching interaction with H.H. Swāmījī. This allowed sādhaka-s to ask questions, share their experiences, and seek guidance. Sādhaka-s expressed their heartfelt gratitude and prayed at Pūjya Swāmījī’s Lotus Feet requesting Him to bless Jaipur again with His presence soon.
During the interaction, the sādhaka-s shared how all the sessions had impacted them. Some of the points that came up were:
1. The interactive sessions with H.H. Swāmījī helped resolve doubts, providing deeper clarity on sādhanā and upāsanā krama-s
2. Many realized the importance of learning Sanskrit and felt fortunate to have been introduced to it through the Sambhās͟haṇa sessions.
3. Several sādhaka-s developed a keen interest in Shrī Gāyatrī Anus͟ht͟hāna and Shrī Devī Anus͟ht͟hāna, appreciating how their queries were addressed.
4. Many were inspired to deepen their association with Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h and expressed their keen desire to visit Shirālī or Kārlā soon.
Shirālī was no longer just a distant place for them - it had become "Hamārā Shirālī", reflecting the stronger connection they had developed with the Mat͟h. Seeing the culture and traditions upheld during the Mahotsava, many parents felt inspired to encourage their children to join Yuvadhārā and actively participate in its activities.
Never before did people of different sects come together under one umbrella as they did at Guru Vandanā Mahotsava in Jaipur. Such is the magnetism of H.H. Swāmījī.
The food served throughout the event was nothing short of a feast, with a delightful variety of dishes. Special festive treats like Thaṇḍāī and Gujiyā on Holī, along with local delicacies such as Dāl Bāṭī Chūrmā, A̅grā kā Pet͟hā, Ghewara, and Gulāb Jāmun, added to the joy of the gathering.
H.H. Swāmījī’s Jaipur camp was made even more special by the dedicated efforts of Guru Charaṇ Sevā Samiti, Jaipur. Their unwavering commitment and planning ensured a seamless and spiritually uplifting experience for all.
As the Mahotsava at Jaipur wound up, it was evident that this was not an end, but a beautiful new beginning. The deep connections formed, the learnings imbibed, and the Blessings received will continue to inspire and guide us in our sādhanā. With hearts full of gratitude and devotion, everyone prayed for Puj̄ya Swāmījī’s return to Jaipur soon. Until then, we await eagerly, carrying forward the light of His teachings - until the next divine gathering. With hearts filled with energy, we went forth to Mathurā, the birthplace of Lord Kris͟hṇa!