Dhanteras at Ram Mandir on 11/11; Kriya Yoga and Gita at Swaminarayan Complex on 12/11
Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 10, 2023
Words of Wisdom, Divinity of Music and the elevation of the human spirit through Yoga will all be a part of two days of rituals with the enlightening presence of Swami Ganapathy Sachchidananda in Auckland next month.
He will be at the celebration of Dhanteras at Ram Mandir (11, Brick Street, Henderson, West Auckland) on November 11 and the Diwali Festival at Swaminarayan Complex (1/7 Wilmay Avenue, Papatoetoe, South Auckland), on November 12, 2023.
Dhanteras (Dhantraodashi) is the first day of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. On Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit the homes of Her devotees and fulfil their wishes. Diyas are lit in honour of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Diwali or Deepavali is the Festival of Lights interpreted as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the slaying of Narakasura by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama, both denoting the Triumph of Good over Evil and the end of darkness followed by sunshine of dawn.
The importance of these two annual events this year is underscored by the presence of Swami Sachchidananda, whose earlier visits to New Zealand (2015 and 2017) were marked with equal enthusiasm at his spiritual discourses and music concerts.
Organised by the Datta Yoga Centre New Zealand, the programmes acquire greater significance since the visiting spiritual master has a way with people- reaching their hearts and minds through music as a source of divine intercourse and entertainment.
Members and volunteers of the Datta Yoga Centre will be further energised in their normal pursuit of Datta Kriya Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Bhajans and Anaghashtami or Anagha Vratam, observed as a part of the Dhanteras ceremonies.
The festivities will be endearing to Swami Sachchidananda, whose Avadhoota Datta Peetham in India and across the Continents are engaged in serving millions of devotees and poorer sections of communities across religious and other barriers.
About Swami Sachchidananda
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami was born at Mekedatu (now in Karnataka) on May 26, 1942, on a rock near the Cauvery River. His mother Jayalakshmi Mata (listed as one of his Gurus) was in deep meditation and the child was initially called Satyanarayana.
Endowed with knowledge and capabilities even as a child, he organised Satsang and taught Bhajan to his friends. He was soon accepted as the Guru in the neighbourhood. When he was nine years old (1951), his mother, just before her death, initiated him into spiritual life
In 1966, Swami Sachchidananda moved to the current site of the Ashram in Mysore and acquired his present name. It is common for thousands of people to seek his darshan and guidance on issues confronting them.
Devotees are also drawn by his musical prowess, which, combined with divinity, elevates the soul to new heights of spiritual well-being. Thousands of people visit his Ashram in Mysore or various venues around the world where regularly appears either to celebrate festivals or to share his immense knowledge and wisdom.
Sanatan Dharma, which recently ignited a nationwide debate in India, has found a great advocate in Swami Sachchidananda.
According to him, Dharma is the eternal principle, that differentiates humans from other creatures and upholds the peaceful coexistence of various beings in the creation of God.
“Though many pantheons (different from each other) prevail universally, the principle remains the same. Sri Dattatreya, (incarnation of the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), has preached the essence of the Universal Family with three concepts: Do for others that which you expect from others; Try to behold the divinity in every being; Observe any object or creature. Try to emulate the good in them and shun any the evil aspects then you can always add value to your life,” he said.
The Synthesizer Effect
Swami Sachchidananda is renowned for healing and meditation music and has popularised the ancient Raga Ragini Vidya which has medicinal impact on all beings.
He has researched widely on the effects of music on the body and mind and uses Nada (sounds) to create the healing effects. He uses the Synthesizer, which he calls the Datta Veena.
The healing effect that Swami Sachchidananda has had at his music concerts has also positively influenced several lives. Many renowned musicians have accompanied him at concerts. Sri Krishnadevaraya University of Bellary has conferred on him an honorary doctorate in Music.
Swami Sachchidananda has composed more than 2000 songs in praise of various Deities in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. His collection of poems called ‘Sachchidananda Neeti Mala’ (Sanskrit). ‘Chutuku Sahitya’ (Kannada) and ‘Vedanta Geetalu’ (Telugu) are performed as Bhajans or Kirtans by devotees all over the world.
More than 50 albums carrying his Bhajans and speeches are on sale.
About the Avadhoota Datta Ashram
For millions of devotees, the Avadhoota Datta Peetham or Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram located on a 40-acre plot at the foot of the salubrious Chamundi Hill in Mysore, Karnataka, is an abode of peace, spirituality and an epitome of nature’s bounty.
As well the melodious and spiritually rich music that forms a part of the Sage’s teachings, the Ashram teaches the Vedas that form the core of the Hindu way of life, Yoga, Bhajans, Kirtans, the ancient language of Sanskrit – everything in fact that embellishes mortality.
The Ashram is also home to the Datta Temple, a place of Worship dedicated to Kalagni Shamana Dattatreya, revered as the Eternal Teacher and the manifestation of the Trilogy of Sat (Existence), Chit (Knowledge) and Ananda (Bliss).
The Temple has a large, Universal Prayer Hall where Poojas and Homams are performed.
According to the Avadhoota Datta Peetham website, the Main Deity has been modelled after the Sir Venkateshwara Temple in Tirumala and it is the first of 50 Datta Temples around the world.
It incorporates the ‘Nada Mandapam,’ a gigantic auditorium dedicated to Nada, where music, dance and other cultural programmes are presented by Indian and international artists throughout the year. It also accounts for a Vedic School for the study of Vedas, Sastra and Aagama (Traditions).
The Temple Complex is sanctified by the Dharma Dhwajam, a 45-feet monolith, octagonal stone pillar, with each side depicting the symbols of world religions, Yoga and Music.
A nightly Sound and Light Show (40 minutes) is stated to elevate visitors to the intellectual state of Atman (Self-Realisation).
Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai and Horticultural Gardens, reported to be the largest in India, has an exquisite collection of trees linking Indian Astrology (Rasis, Nakshatras, Nava Grahas, Saptarishi) and rare herbs.
Viswam, a museum displaying various crystals, gems, objects of traditional ancient art forms, and artefacts of rare kind presented to Sri Ganapathy is another important aspect.
Swami Sachchidananda’s love of birds and protection of the environment led to the establishment of ‘Shuka Vana,’ which is the largest aviary and rehabilitation centre for birds housing more than 3000 parrots, earning an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. A statute of Lord Hanuman, towering 85 feet, which is a part of the Ashram in Trinidad, is reported to be the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
Swami Sachchidananda has established thus far 85 Ashrams in various parts of the world. These entities have Lord Datta as the idol of worship for residents and visitors. While all of them conduct regular Yoga classes recite Bhajans and listen to discourses, some centres organise free medical clinics.
The visit of Swami Sachchidananda is always an awaited event. Further information can be obtained from Nagaram Ambale on 021-1498523; website: dycnz.org
