20^th Punyatithi Samaroh of Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vedavyasananda Saraswati, in Gita Ashram, Pauri Garhwal, on 17^th April 2012

For the Delegates of Omkarananda Ashram it was a beautiful drive over Pashulok via Rishikesh through the forest along the river Ganga to reach Lakshmanjhula, where many important Ashrams are having their places.

Gita Ashram is one of them, situated in a beautiful area surrounded with much greenery, containing a temple, a small auditorium and other living facilities.

The Gita Ashram Authorities gave a very warm welcome to Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and Swami Prajnanandaji from Omkarananda Ashram.

Swami Swadharmananda speaks to Kumari Somashekhari. Next to him are Swami Vishveshwarananda and other prominent Sadhus, gracing the dais.

On the dais, sitting in the middle, was Mahant Shri Swami Swadharmananda, the Head of Gita Ashram, along with numerous Saints, Mahants, Mahamandaleshwars and Sadhus, chanting Mantras, singing and speaking to the audience, thereby giving their tribute to H.H. Shri Swami Vedavyasananda Saraswati.

Seeing the Delegates from Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Swami Swadharmanandaji immediately directed his assistant to bring them up to the dais.

There was quite a big gathering of devotees in the Gita Ashram Temple Hall, along with small students of the Gita Ashram School.

A devotee takes Blessings from Swami Vishveshwarananda.

Swami Swadharmanandaji introduced Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari to all. He highlighted their activities, which they are doing under the guidance of their Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.

Then Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, President Omkarananda Ashram, was requested to bless the audience with a few words.

He shared with the audience the great experience he had, when he had met Shri Swami Vedavyasananda many years ago on several occasions. He appreciated Swami Vedavyasananda as a great Saint and Personality, open to everybody, would it be a devotee or stranger, a foreigner or anybody else.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji also highlighted the tremendous knowledge Swami Vedavyasananda had in the field of the Vedic Sciences.

Swami Vishveshwarananda speaks about Swami Vedavyasananda, while Kumari Somashekhari is translating Swamiji's words into a perfect Hindi.

Swamiji strongly emphasized the importance of a life dedicated to pure spirituality. He explained how essential it is, that the young students, who are sitting in the audience, are imbibing the divine knowledge given by the great Rishis in ancient times. He also warned that media and other outer influences could be very harmful for the spiritual progress of the human individual.

Swamiji also spoke about his Gurudev H.D. Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who has done tremendous work in the remote area of Garhwal and who has renounced and sacrificed everything to bring the human individual closer to the Divine.

Swami Vishveshwarananda's speech was very well received with a great clapping.

Since Swamiji spoke in English, Kumari Somashekhari in her excellent Hindi translated word by word in a most correct way. Later on she was surrounded by a lot of people of the audience, who appreciated her kind, dynamic, beautiful translation. Since she was wearing a very nice Saree, people immediately asked her from which part of India she is coming.

School children are taking part in this special occasion.

Many devotees are listening to the holy words of the reputed Saints on the dais.

Swami Swadharmananda and Swami Vishveshwarananda in a cordial conversation.

Among other speakers of this holy Function was Dr. J.P. Sharma, Trustee of Shri Gita Ashram and a retired Principal of a Senior Secondary School in New Delhi, who is the Author of the book "From beyond the Mind (Dance of Energy)", published by S. Chand & Company Ltd., New Delhi. Dr. J.P. Sharma, in his speech, was full of praise for Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram, and his remarkable works for the upliftment of the Society and he specially thanked Swamiji, that he had taken the pain to write a comment on his book, which is published on pages xxiv and xxv.

After the final Arati a Bhandara was launched and Swami Swadharmanandaji showed specially to Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari the Kutiya (small hut), where his Guru Shri Swami Vedavyasananda spent his entire life. His devoted disciple Swadharmanandaji was very happy to say, that it has now become his own room.

The atmosphere in Gita Ashram was wonderful and on this special occasion Saints and Sadhus from different other Ashrams had a good opportunity to interact with each other.

Well known Writer, Shri Sharmaji, is embracing Swami Vishveshwarananda full of gratitude, while Nyayamitra Sharma (Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar), Swami Prajnananda (Omkarananda Ashram) and others look on.

Swami Swadharmananda, Kumari Somashekhari, the Mahant Swamini of Ved Niketan Ashram, Swami Vishveshwarananda and others in front of the big entrance hall of Gita Ashram.

Swami Swadharmananda, Shri Sharmaji and Swami Vishveshwarananda after a grand function.