Maha-Shivaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas, on 21st February 2020
A beautiful Indian
Coral Tree, also called "Mandara Tree", is situated in the
Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. It is regarded as a
holy tree, having several medicinal values. Its first few
flowers start usually blooming during the time of the Omkarananda
Mahotsava (celebrated every year from 25th December to 31st
December). This photo was taken during the time of
Maha-Shivaratri, when one can see maximum number of flowers on
this tree. The big, bright, orange-red flowers add great
beauty to the surroundings of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
This Mandara Tree attracts a lot of
different birds, big and small, in various colours. Very cute
tiny birds enjoy drinking the nectar from the flowers of the
Mandara Tree. But it is very difficult to capture those birds
with the photo-camera, since they move extremely fast. On this
photo one can see three small, green-coloured birds. One is
sitting on a tree-branch, another one is just flying down
towards a big flower and the third one (on the upper right part
of the photo) is half-hidden inside a Mandara flower, drinking
its nectar.
This cute, tiny
bird was so gracious to look into the camera for a fraction of
a second.
Maha-Shivaratri -
the holy night of Lord Shiva - has approached. Kumari
Somashekhari is ready to worship Lord Shiva with devotional
Temple-Dances, since singing and dancing is her favourite way
of worshipping the Divine. She holds in her right hand a
Mandara Flower, dear to Lord Shiva, which she had taken from
the tree before sunset. This Mandara Flower will be offered in the
Temple to Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and Lord
Shiva, before the start of the Dance-performance.
There had been
fresh snowfall in the nearby, higher Garhwal Himalayan regions,
and an icy-cold wind was blowing through the open Temple Hall
of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. In spite of that, Inmates
and Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Devotees and
Guests assembled for the evening Arati in the
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, which was followed by the
special Worship of Lord Shiva.
Devotees from
Mumbai receive Divine Blessings in form of Arati and Kumkum by
a Priest of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
Shri Sukumarji,
Trustee, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, was the Master of
Ceremonies and he heartily welcomed all, who had assembled for
the Maha-Shivaratri Celebration. He explained the significance
of Maha-Shivaratri and then invited all the Devotees and
Guests to watch a few Temple-Dances by Kumari Somashekhari on this
occasion.
Kumari Somashekhari
started her Worship of Lord Shiva on the holy night of
Maha-Shivaratri with a Bharatanatyam Temple-Dance, glorifying Lord
Shiva. It was a splendid performance - full of Divine Power.
The audience,
consisting of Omkarananda Ashram Priests and Devotees from
different parts of India and other parts of the world, were keenly
watching the beautiful Dance-Performance by Kumari
Somashekhari.
Here Kumari
Somashekhari is dancing to a Shiva-Bhajan in the Hindi-Language.
This dance had been choreographed by Somashekhari herself in
the Temple-Style of the North Indian Kathak-Dance, in order to
express her Gratitude and Devotion towards Lord Shiva.
For the audience
Kumari Somashekhari shortly explained in English and Hindi the
essence of the meaning of each of her Temple-Dances.
Somashekhari
concluded her worship of Lord Shiva with a graceful
Bharatanatyam Temple-Dance to a highly mystical song in ancient
Tamil-Language.
Mahant Shri Swami
Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas, blessed the whole audience with his powerful and
dynamic speech on the holy occasion of Maha-Shivaratri. He
narrated a beautiful story of Sage Narada, which shows, that
we can and should be absorbed in the Lord, even during daily, so
called "mundane" life, because then only we will receive great
Divine Blessings and Divine Protection.
On this occasion
Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji expressed his heartfelt Thanks
to Shri Suresh Panditji, Chief Priest Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas, and his Team of other wonderful Priests, for
conducting the daily Temple Worship in a very divine and
meticulous manner and for keeping the Temple-Premises very clean,
pure and beautiful. Swamiji also mentioned to the audience,
that all Omkarananda Ashram Priests are going to perform
special worship for Lord Shiva inside the different Shiva-Shrines
throughout the night till next morning 4 AM.
A Devotee from
Mumbai is expressing his gratitude to Swami Vishveshwaranandaji
for the inspiring Function on the occasion of Maha-Shivaratri
Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
Shri Agarwalji
(left), a noted international Lawyer by profession, is in happy
conversation with Shri Deepak Randive, a Devotee from Mumbai,
who is closely associated with Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
The Manager of Yoga
Niketan, Shri Nautiyalji, and all other Devotees and Guests,
are receiving blessed 5-Mukhi Rudrakshas from Kumari Somashekhari.
Professor Dr.
Himanshu Aeran, Director and Head of Seema Dental College &
Hospital, Rishikesh, expresses his Thanks to Shri Swami
Vishveshwarananda for the nice Celebration.
An extremely
joy-giving and kind nature is one of the Main Characteristics of
Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, which often expresses
itself in his natural and sweet smile, nicely captured by the
photographer during the Maha-Shivaratri Celebration in
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA OM
|