Brahmotsava of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir,
In Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Muni-ki-Reti, Rishikesh, from 3^rd April 2012 to 5^th April 2012

The yearly Brahmotsava of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, a most beautiful Temple in South Indian Style, situated in Omkarananda Nagar, Muni-ki-reti, Rishikesh, was celebrated at the proper time, according to the Hindu-Calendar, from 3rd April to 5th April 2012.

Swami Vishveshwarananda with the Kalasha containing the holy Ganges water and charged with divine prayers.	Priests Sanjay and Mukesh getting ready for the start of Brahmotsava.

Swami Satchidananda and Swami Vishveshwarananda in the Yajnashala, ready for the holy journey.	The Kalashas reach the Mandapa of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple.

The Celebrations started on 3rd April 2012 with different Pujas and special Abhishekas of Omkara-Maha-Ganapati and Mahakala-Bhairava.

These special Pujas were concluded with Aratis in front of the respective Deities and Prasad Distribution.

Kalasha Yatra on the way to Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple. The Priests are sprinkling Ganges water in front of the procession.
The Kalashas with the holy water reach Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple. Sanjay Panditji performs special prayers.
Following the Priests Swami Satchidananda carries the holy water up to the Temple of Lord Maha-Kalabhairava.	Before offering of Abhisheka to Lord Maha-Kalabhairava the holy water was carried around the Temple.

On 4th April 2012 the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas established a very beautiful Altar in the middle of the Mandapa (Temple-Hall) of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. On the Altar were put first of all a big Photo of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, and along with it pictures of Deities, Utsava Murtis of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-Saraswati and many Metal Kalashas, filled with holy Ganges water, in which the Presence of different Divinities was invoked through Prayers and Rituals.

Around this beautiful Altar the Priests arranged in geometrical lines 1000 small Kalashas, earthen pots, which were filled with Ganges water and flowers.

The whole arrangement looked very colourful, divine and appealing.

The final touch is being given before the Main Brahmotsava function in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

The Omkarananda Ashram Priests are offering continuous prayers during the function.

In the night of 4th April the thousand small Kalashas were worshipped with rice corns and flower-petals, and in each one a special aspect of the Divine Mother Shri Lalita Mahatripurasundari was invoked with powerful Mantras and Mystical Syllables and the recitation of Lalita Sahasranama (the thousand names of Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari).

Shri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari, the Goddess of infinite Beauty, Love, Wisdom and Grace, is the same as Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

In this wonderful event, which concluded late in the night with Arati and special Prasadam, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, President Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Swami Satchidananda, Treasurer Omkarananda Ashram, Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram and Shri Narasimhuluji and Shri Sukumar, both Members of Omkarananda Ashram, took part.

Along with constant prayers rice and flowers are offered to each and every Kalasha, which is filled with the holy Ganges water.	Puja at the specially erected Altar by Swami Vishveshwarananda and Pandit Sanjay.

5th April 2012 was the main and final day of the Brahmotsava.

The Celebrations started with a one and half hours powerful Hawana in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, in which Swami Vishveshwaranandaji offered the Purnahuti.

A grand Yajna is performed for the final function of Brahmotsava.
Sanjay Pandit is giving the holy Kalasha to Swami Vishveshwarananda.	Swami Satchidananda receives a Kalasha, too.

Afterwards followed Kalasha Puja and Kalasha Yatra. All inmates of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, including Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda, Kumari Somashekhari, Swami Prajnananda, Shri Sukumar, all Priests of Omkarananda Ashram and some Devotees from neighbour Ashrams took part in this ceremony. In a procession each one was carrying a special precious divine Kalasha around Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir and other adjoining Temples.

Sanjay Pandit, in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple, performs the ritual for the grand start, while all others are ready with the holy Kalashas.

Start of the Kalasha Yatra in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple.

The procession goes around the Temple.

Finally Abhisheka was made for all the Deities in the different Shrines.

The crowning and biggest Abhisheka was done with Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, the Main Deity of this Temple. All Inmates of Omkarananda Ashram, Priests and Devotees were standing in a line and forwarded the 1000 small Kalashas, one by one, into the Garbhagraha (innermost Shrine) of the Divinity, where the Main-Priests were pouring the holy waters and other ingredients, like Milk, Kumkum, Haldi, fragrant Vibhuti, etc. over Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

During this long process powerful Prayers and Vedic Hymns were recited.

Abhisheka with the holy water is given to all the Deities in the Temple.	During this procedure constant prayers were recited by Priests.

All the 1000 Kalashas, filled with the holy water, flowers and charged with prayers, are going from hand to hand to Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

	Kumari Somashekhari is blessing a married Lady and Mother and giving her gifts on the final conclusion of Brahmotsava. Soma is assisted by Suresh Pandit and Mukesh Pandit.

Arati at the end of Brahmotsava.

After conclusion of the final Abhisheka, all Divinities, including Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, were nicely dressed and decorated with ornaments and flower malas.

Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi was looking most beautiful and shining, when the Arati was offered to Her.

This grand Brahmotsava was concluded with Prasad-Distribution.

Everybody felt very grateful, having received the Blessings of the merciful Divinity Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.