Bhajan, Kirtan, Blessings by Mahant Shri
Swami Vishveshwarananda and Sadhu Bhandara,
in Honour of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati,
at Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, Muni-ki-Reti,
on 29th December 2019

In the morning hours of 29th December 2019, professional Musicians get ready in the
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir for their performances of joyous Bhajan/Kirtan.

Since it was very very cold, the Sadhus were grateful, that they were served a
nice hot tomato soup, which they could enjoy, sitting in the sun, in the beautiful
environment of the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

While more and more Sadhus assembled in the Mandapa of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
Mandir, lively Bhajan/Kirtan was going on. In the front row one can see seven Priests
of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, singing and clapping to the tunes of the Bhajans.

Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati is sitting with Mahants
from other Ashrams in the Temple Hall of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

Shri I.D. Joshi, former Principal of Shri Bharat Mandir Inter-College, Rishikesh,
who is a long-standing Educational Advisor and faithful Devotee of Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas, expressed his deepest Thanks, Adorations and Admiration for
the unique and praiseworthy contribution of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa
Omkarananda Saraswati through His Successor, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji,
along with his dedicated team, in the field of Spirituality, Culture and Education.
He gave the main credit for the beautiful, divine and peaceful environment
of the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas to
Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's tireless efforts.

Addressing the Sadhus on this occasion, Shri D.K. Varshney, a very prominent
Senior Educationist in Rishikesh, informs about the different activities of
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati for the benefit of the Society through the medium
of His direct Disciples, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Shri Swami Satchidananda
and Kumari Somashekhari. He mentioned, that all the three of them could have led an easy, luxurious life, but they have renounced everything in order to selflessly serve the Divine
and Humanity in form of beautiful Temples, many Schools and other important
educational, spiritual and cultural Activities, by the Grace of their Guru,
Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.

Shri Swami Satchidananda, assisted by Kotwal, Shri Swami Dhyandas, is welcoming the Sadhus, guiding them inside the Temple and garlanding them with flower-malas.

Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas, offered his heartfelt Adorations to all the Sadhus, and deeply thanked
them for their divine Presence. He focussed on the importance of Truth-Experience
or Self-Realization, which is only possible through real Renunciation and
full-hearted Concentration on the Divine. He praised the Sadhus, for having
given up worldly attachments, which is not easy for the common man.
But the reward for this Renunciation, Swamiji said, is unending Bliss, final Liberation
from the painful Cycle of birth and death. Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and Indian Classical Dancer and Musician,
translated Swamiji's heart-touching and inspiring speech into Hindi.

The Sadhus were spellbound by Swami Vishveshwarananda’s fiery, divine speech
and afterwards responded with spontaneous clapping. Many of them personally
approached Swamiji to thank him and wish him a very long life.

All the Sadhus and Saints assemble in front of the Shrine of Gurudev
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati for the Omkarananda Arati and Pushpanjali.

Before proceeding to the Bhandara, all the Sadhus take Blessings from
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi and other Divinities.

All Sadhus got a very pure, tasty and healthy Prasadam in form of lunch.
Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Treasurer Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
distributed Dakshina to each and every Sadhu, and Shri Suresh Panditji, Chief-Priest
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, assisted by others, gave soft and warm blankets to them.

The Sadhu Bhandara, in Honour of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati,
was concluded with Prayers.

The Sadhus left the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas
with Happiness and Gratitude in their Hearts.