Brahmotsava for Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir,
Muni-ki-reti, via Rishikesh, from 15th March to 17th March 2022

For the yearly Brahmotsava Celebrations the Omkarananda Ashram Priests had established a very beautiful Altar in the Yajnashala of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir with a Photo of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, a picture of Lord Ganesha and different Kalashas, filled with holy Ganges water, in which the living Presence of different Deities had been invoked by the Priests.

A wonderful Sarvadevata Yajna was performed in the morning of 15th March 2022 by Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, under the Leadership of Shri Suresh Panditji, Chief-Priest.

After Purnahuti Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Treasurer Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, performed Arati at the special Altar near the Hawanakunda.

After the Arati Shri Swami Satchidananda and the Priests started carrying the holy Kalashas in a procession through the whole area of the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, in order to bring each Kalasha into its own Temple.

Here one can see the Priests and Swamiji leaving the grand Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir (on the right side) and proceeding to other nearby Temples.

The Priests have passed the Maha-Meru Temple (far in the backside), the Tulsi Temple (left) and the Shivalingam Temple (right). Powerfully chanting Mantras, they are on their way to the Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti Mandir, a very important Temple of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

The Procession has reached the Temple with the Shrine of Shri Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti, situated under a holy Banyan Tree. Since Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti is a Pranapratishtha Deity, that means, a living, breathing and vibrant Deity - not just an Idol, made of metal or stone - photos and videos of Shri Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti are not allowed.

On the way back from Omkarananda-Dakshinamurti, Abhisheka is made with a Shivalingam in His small but beautiful Temple.

Shri Swami Satchidananda and the Priests reach the very unique Maha-Meru Mandir, in which continuously holy Ganges Water, pumped freshly up from the Ganga, is flowing softly over the holy Maha-Meru and from there into the Ashram garden.

Omkarananda Ashram Priest, Shri Sanjay Panditji, offers Arati to the Maha-Meru, after completion of Abhisheka.

From the Maha-Meru Swami Satchidananda and the Omkarananda Ashram Priests make Pradakshina around the lovely Omkara-Mahaganapati Mandir, which is, like many other Temples of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, built in the typical South Indian Style and shines in different vibrant colours. After Pradakshina, the special Kalasha, meant for Abhisheka for Shri Omkara-Mahaganapati, is placed inside the Shrine.

The next Temple, approached by the holy Procession, is the beautiful Omkarananda-Hanuman Mandir. Here one can see Sanjay Panditji placing a Kalasha in front of the cute and powerful Lord Omkarananda-Hanuman.

Finally Swami Satchidananda and the Priests climb up the hill to reach the Temple of Shri Mahakala-Bhairava. Lord Mahakala-Bhairava is the Kshetrapala - the divine "Watchman" -
of the beautiful and spiritually vibrating area of the Headquarters of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas with its lovely Temples.

All are standing in front of the holy Shrine of Shri Mahakala-Bhairava to see the Abhisheka for this Deity among recitations of Mantras and Vedic Hymns.

Priest Sanjay Panditji bestows Blessings of Lord Mahakala-Bhairava on Swami Satchidananda.

After Abhisheka and Alankara for all Deities in Their different Temples and Shrines were nicely completed, Shri Swami Satchidananda offers a final Arati to the Pranapratishtha Murti of Lord Omkara-Mahaganapati, while the Omkarananda Ashram Priests are singing the special Ganesha Arati.

A sweet Ganeshji, residing outside, on the Gopuram of the Omkara-Mahaganapati Temple, is granting Blessings to all from above.

In the night of 16th March 2022 the Brahmotsava Celebrations continued in full swing. As every year the Omkarananda Ashram Priests had established a wonderful and colourful Altar with a Photo of His Divinity Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, a picture of Lord Shiva, Utsava Murtis of Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, Maha-Saraswati and Maha-Lakshmi and many holy Kalashas, into which the living Presence of those Divinities had been invoked, Who are residing in all the different Shrines inside the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

While several Omkarananda Ashram Priests recite Vedic Hymns and Mantras, Shri Sanjay Panditji performs Pujas at the Altar.

Shri Swami Satchidananda joined the Prayers and Pujas.

In the Temple Mandapa (Hall) of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir small Kalashas, small earthen pots, had been arranged in geometrical forms, surrounded by clothes, fresh flowers and fresh leaves. These 300 small Kalashas symbolize 300 holy Names or Aspects of the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari.

While several Omkarananda Ashram Priests are reciting the extremely powerful and beautiful "Trishati", the 300 holy Names of Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, along with the appropriate Bija-Mantras, led by Chief-Priest Shri Suresh Panditji (sitting behind the mike, on the left side), Shri Sanjay Panditji offers with deep devotion fresh flower petals and rice corns into each of the earthen Kalashas, which had been filled before with holy Ganges water.

After this special and unique worship a final Arati was performed.

The main day for the Brahmotsava Celebrations for the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir was on 17th March 2022, coinciding with the Full Moon Date. The beautiful Altar for this special occasion is shining in the morning sun.

The Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, along with Swami Satchidananda, are performing an extensive Sarvadevata and Moola Mantra Navaavarana Homa in the Yajnashala of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

During powerful Vedic Chanting, Shri Mukesh Panditji and Shri Swami Satchidananda are pouring pure cow's ghee into Agni Devata.

Shri Sanjay Panditji takes the holy Kalashas from the Altar and places them on the heads of the participants of the Kalasha Yatra.

Shri Swami Satchidananda and the Priests are standing at the entrance of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, ready to begin their procession around the Temple.

While moving around the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Temple, the participants of the Kalasha-Yatra are passing the Navagraha Mandir, seen on the left.

From time to time the Yatra stops for a short while and the Priest in front sprinkles Ganges water on the Kalashas and those, carrying them, for purification and protection.

The holy procession has returned from where it started, the entrance of the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. There a final purification ceremony is taking place, before all the holy Kalashas will be placed inside the different Shrines for Abhisheka of their respective Deities.

Here one can see Shri Sanjay Panditji, performing Abhisheka for the Navagrahas, assisted by Shri Mukesh Panditji.

After the Abhisheka for different Deities inside Their Shrines, the grand Abhisheka for Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, the Supreme Divine Mother, Who is the same as Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, began. For that the 300 small earthen Kalashas, containing the spiritual Powers of the Supreme Divine Mother, were carefully lifted from the floor by Shri Sanjay Panditji and reached the Garbha Griha, the Sanctum Sanctorum of Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, for Abhisheka, via a human chain, consisting of Swami Satchidananda and Omkarananda Ashram Priests. During that time the Priests inside the Shrine chanted enthusiastically Mantras and Hymns, while pouring the holy waters on the lovely and vibrant Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Three lovely Utsava Murtis at the Altar. In the middle is seen the Utsava Murti of Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi- Devi.

As a part of the Pujas and divine Offerings to the all-loving Supreme Divine Mother Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, Kumari Somashekhari performed a splendid Bharatanatyam Devi Dance, "Simhaasana-Sthite", a composition by the South Indian Musician-Saint, Shri Mutthuswami Dikshitar. In this divine dance the infinite Power, Wisdom, Compassion and Beauty of the Supreme Divine Mother is described.

Kumari Somashekhari depicts Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, Who is enchanting all the worlds with Her supreme divine Love and divine Beauty.

After the devotional Temple-Dance performances Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, addressed the Devotees, sitting in the Temple, with his wise and divine words. On this occasion Swamiji narrated also the true story of a great Devotee, who loved God so much, that he constantly conversed with Him only and finally could even see and experience God, where others saw nothing.
"So great is the Power of real Devotion !", Swamiji emphasized. Hearing this true story, told with a lot of love and intense devotion by Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, many people in the audience felt deeply touched in their hearts and they could not withhold their tears.

After Swami Vishveshwarananda's divine and inspiring speech a small Puja was left, which is a part of the Brahmotsava Celebrations. For that a Suvasini, a married Lady, and a Kanya, a small girl, had been invited. Assisted by the Omkarananda Ashram Priests, Kumari Somashekhari worshipped the Suvasini as a Representative of the Goddess and the small girl as "Bala-Tripurasundari", the Supreme Divine Mother, in form of a small girl. Here one can see Somashekhari offering gifts to "Bala-Tripurasundari" Kumari Gargi, who is a dance-student of Kumari Somashekhari.

The beautiful, sweet and very talented "Bala-Tripurasundari", Kumari Gargi, offers her Adorations to Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.