| |
(use keywords for searching e.g. puja dates) |
 |
Maharashtra Tour for Sahaja Yogis (December 14-23, 2006)
Sunday, February 04, 2007 |
|
|
|
| print this article |
A tour of 10 days to enjoy collectively, places of spiritual interest and natural beauty in the Holy Land of Maharashtra “The Great Nation”. It is at Maharashtra that the World's Kundalini consisting of three and half coils, eigth Vinayaks ( Shree Ganeshas), and five Jyotirlingas (Shri Shiva) is residing. Most of the incarnations and great saints have vibrated various places in Maharashtra.
Day 1 :
136 yogis from 30 countries participated in the Maharashtra Tour December 2006. After a traditional welcome by Attar, flowers and Kumkum at Andheri (East), Mumbai, yogis were distributed caps of Maharashtra tour, badges, and information booklet (containing description of the places covered in the tour). The tour started off in five luxurious AC 2*2 seater buses, with video facilities.
As all auspicious events start with Shri Ganesha, the tour schedule was to cover Lenyadri and Ozar, two of the eight Vinayakas on first day itself. After lunch, the tour reached Lenyadri, atop Sahyadri mountains. Yogis climbed more than 300 steps on the mountain to have darshan of Shri Girijatmaj Ganapati. Vibrations of the place improved tremendously, after the Ganesh Atharvasheesha, aarti and meditation by yogis at the place . The beautiful sunset, cool mountain breeze, monkeys, and the sight of Shivneri Fort on the mountain opposite made a fitting start to the tour.
We moved to Ozar for Shri Vighneshwar Ganapati darshan. All the yogis were given a warm welcome by the temple trustees. Thereafter we all moved to Pune for night stay at hotels.
Day 2 :
We reached Alandi, located 29 kms from Pune, on the banks of river Indrayani. It is at Alandi that Gnyaneshwar ( Shri Kartikeya Sakshat), the author of Gnyaneshwari lived and attained samadhi at the age of 21. Gnyaneshwar is one of the most revered saints of India, and is the author of Gnyaneshwari (Transcript of Holy Geeta). He has described the awakening of Kundalini very vividly in the sixth chapter of Gnyaneshwari. In Pasaydan He has predicted about sahaja yogis. After the darshan of the Samadhi, yogis made their way across Indrayani river, to proceed to Dehu.
Famous poet-saint Tukaram, ardent devotee of Vithalla, was born and brought up in Dehu. He is known for his Abhanga Gathas. It is said that he was lifted bodily by Pushpak Vimana to Vaikuntha.
Bhimashankar, about 111 kms from Pune contains one of the five Jyotirlingas found in Maharashtra. The origin of Bhima river is also near this temple. Yogis meditated with Shivoham Shivoham and moved to Pune for night stay
Day 3 :
On the 3rd day morning, we all started for the Bhavani Temple at Tulajapur, which is about 289 kms away from Pune. Tulajapur is one of the three and half Shakti peethas of Maharashtra, where Mother Goddess Shakti is worshipped. The temple is located on Yamunachala mountain, on the slopes of sahyadri range. The temple was renovated by Shivaji Maharaj in 1661 AD who was a devotee of Goddess Bhavani and always took her blessings . Historic records speak of the existence of this temple from as early as 12 th century. It is said that Goddess gifted a sword to Shivaji Maharaj for success in his expeditions.
Yogis reached Sholapur and settled down in hotels. After sumptuous dinner, Yogis danced to the rhythm of the bhajans, till midnight.
Day 4 :
Pandharpur is one of the most prominent pilgrim spots in Maharashtra, located 86 kms from Sholapur on the bank of river Chandrabhaga. It is famous for the temple of Shri Vithalla - Rukhmai and is one of the most visited pilgrim spots of India. After the darshan of Shri Vithalla - Rukhmai, we all headed for Kolhapur for the night stay.
Day 5 :
We all reached Katyayani temple, early morning to have darshan of Goddess Mahakali. It is said that Goddess Mahakali took the form of Katyayani and vanquished demon Rakta Beeja. The temple also has a Amrut Kunda, and its water was sprayed on the dead devas to give them rebirth. It is said that this temple is even more ancient than the Kolhapur's Mahalakshmi temple. After meditation at this temple, we all moved to Panhala fort.
Panhala Fort, built around 12th century, is the largest of all Deccan Forts, and Shivaji Maharaj is said to have resided here. Yogis greatly enjoyed Mardani Khel (martial arts), by the local artists of Kolhapur. After the performance, all of them got their self realisation also.
In the evening we all visited to the famous Mata Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur. The Swayambhu temple is more than 5000 years old, and is exquisitely carved in black stone. Jogwa (written by saint Namdev in 16th century) is sung here for centuries, meaning Ambe you get awakened. On the left side of the temple are the idols of Shri Ganesha and Shri Mahakali, on the right side is the idol of Goddess Mahasaraswati and at the centre is the idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi, a very sahaja happening indeed.
After the darshan, yogis shopped bangles, sarees and famous Kolhapuri jewellery/ sandals in the crowded streets of Kolhapur. In the night, Yogis enjoyed Bharud and Gondhal (devotional dance forms), and sahaja Bhajans arranged by the Kolhapur collectivity. Yogis were welcomed by Tutari- a begul like instrument used in Maharashtra for welcoming.
Day 6 :
After morning meditation and early breakfast, we all started for Brahmapuri, enroute to Mahabaleshwar. It is an auspicious place situated on the banks of river Krishna in Satara district of Maharashtra. It is at this place, in deep waters, Swami Ramdas (Sakshat Hanuman Himself) found idols of Shri Rama Sita and Devi Angalai. It is said that Shri Rama Sita stayed at this place. During Mahabharata period, Pandavas also visited Pateshwar, nearby town. Many sahaja tours in the late eighties had visited this place and 6 sakar pujas were also performed here. Yogis enjoyed the vibratory atmosphere and the collective foot soaking in the river, and were very much moved by the deep impact felt at this place. We all moved to Mahabaleshwar for the night stay at the resort.
Day 7 :
Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station of Maharashtra located about 200 kms from Kolhapur, at an altitude of 4718 ft. Mahabaleshwar is the origin of five main rivers of West Maharashtra viz; Krishna, Koyana, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri. We all enjoyed the beautiful hills, scenic spots and greenery of Mahabaleshwar, boating at Venna lake. Thereafter we all moved to Panchgani to visit scenic Table top, which is one of the largest flat mountain plateau in the world.
Day 8 :
Yogis were welcomed at Nirmal Nagari, Ganapatipule, with drum beats. Yogis recollected moments spent here on earlier visits. At Ganapatipule, many International sahaja yoga seminars and Sakar Pujas were held in the presence of H H Shri Mataji.
Ganapatipule is about 205 kms from Mahabaleshwar and has a swayambhu (naturally formed idol of Shri Ganesha). After footsoak in the clean sedate waters of the sea, yogis assembled for the night's music programme.
The programme started with the Bhajans and instrumental music by the Mumbai music group led by Pandit Chandrasekhar Vaze. Muladhar to Sahastrar – bhajans performed by the group made the night lively and memorable.
Day 9 :
After morning meditation, and cleansing at the sea, yogis went for local sight seeing including Shri Ganesha swayambhu temple and the Jaigarh Fort.
The night's musical programme started with the the display of the video clippings of the Maharashtra tour. Chandrasekhar vaze and his group peformed Shakti – musical elaboration of different incarnations of Goddess Shri Mataji through different bhajans and classical vocal bandishes. After dinner, it was the turn of our foreigners brothers and sisters to express themselves through music.
We all enjoyed the performances of Malayasian collectivity, Dharamshala school, China Hongkong collectivity and a short drama highlighting the lighter/humour side of the Maharashtra tour.
After a vote of thanks to all the organisers /volunteers and the tour operators, beautiful quawallis were rendered to conclude the programme.
Yogis danced in joy (anand) throughout the music performances at Ganapatipule.
Day 10 :
After the darshan of Swayambhu Mahaganesha, at Ganapatipule, the tour started for pune, where the tour ended. Yogis were given Anand Tandava (photo souvenir of Maharashtra Tour December 2006), showing Deities rejoicing in anand (joy) at the advent of Shri Adi Shakti on earth.
Throughout the tour, there were collective meditation, bhajans, sahaja discussions, video display of Shri Mataji's speeches, and many seekers got their self realisation. The tour also brought yogis from many cultural backgrounds and countries, closer.
By divine planning and attention, the tour covered places which were related to our chakras. In the sequence, the tour covered:
Lenyadri and Ozar (Muladhar- Shri Ganesha),
Alandi (Right Muladhar- Shri Kartikeya)
Bhimashankar (Left heart- Shri Shiva)
Bhavani Temple – Tuljapur ( Central Heart- Goddess Bhavani)
Pandharpur (Vishudhi- Vithal Rukhmani)
Katyayani temple, Kolhapur (Ida Nadi- Shri Mahakali)
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur ( Sushumna Nadi and Nabhi chakra)
Brahmapuri (Right Heart and Pingala Nadi - Shri Rama Sita and Shri Hanuman)
Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani ( Vishudhi- Ether- Greenery, open sky and natural beauty)
Ganpatipule (Back Agnya- Shri Mahaganesha)
Pune ( Where H H Shri Mataji- Sahastrara Swamini Herself is residing)
The ten day Maharashtra tour ended on December 23, night at Pune, after covering a distance of 2300 kms. The tour ended amidst great joy and satisfaction, and yogis thanked H.H. Shri Mataji for 10 memorable days, full of vibrations and collective growth.
Jai Shri Mataji
Sudershan Sharma
Mumbai |
|
back to top |
|
|
|
|
