Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati as Chief-Guest for Ashtabandhana Maha-Kumbha-Abhishekam for
Shri Maha Mariamman Temple,
5th & 6th April 2022, Sabzi Mandi, Mangolpuri, New Delhi

The Chief-Priest of the famous Malai Mandir in Delhi, Dr. U. Vaidyanatha, had been so kind, to invite Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari from Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas to attend the Ashtabandhana Maha-Kumbha-Abhishekam Celebration for Shri Maha Mariamman Temple in New Delhi, on 5th April 2022. When Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari entered the Temple, they were welcomed and greeted in an unbelievable, overwhelming way. Here one can see, how many Devotees shower a lot of flower petals on them, among joyous jubilations. 

Chief-Priest, Dr. U. Vaidyanatha, under whose able guidance the Maha-Kumbha-Abhisheka was conducted, first guided the Delegates from Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas to the Main Shrine of this lovely Devi Temple. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda bowed down in front of Maha Mariamman Devi with deep reverence and devotion. 

From left to right: The Chief-Priest of Malai Mandir, Delhi, Dr. U. Vaidyanatha Sivacharyar, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and Bharatanatyam Dancer, are walking together to have Darshan of the different Shrines of this beautiful Temple in typical South Indian Style, in New Delhi. 

Chief-Priest, Dr. U. Vaidyanatha, had guided Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari to the Main Puja Place, with a Hawana Kunda and an Altar with the Utsava-Murti of Divine Mother Maha Mariamman Devi, where nearby a lot of Devotees assembled to watch the holy Yajnas and Pujas. Very cute small girls from Tamilian Families, settled in Delhi, had joyous interactions with Kumari Somashekhari. 

In the front is the Hawana Kunda. After Purnahuti, Chief-Priest Dr. U. Vaidyanatha - standing and holding the mike - was chanting along with his Assistant Priests the "Mantra Pushpam", a Vedic Hymn from Yajur Veda, while an elderly Priest offered flowers to the Altar. 

All are joining for the Pushpanjali, while Agnidevata is glowing beautifully in the Hawana Kunda. 

After completion of the Pushpanjali, Chief-Priest Dr. U. Vaidyanatha guided Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and Kumari Somashekhari to a special Seat of Honour, from where they attended the further program.

Different Priests, mostly from Tamil Origin, sang sacred Hymns and devotional Tamil songs in Honour of the Divine Mother, since divine Music, Singing, etc., is very much a part of the Puja. It is very important and essential for the Worship of God. 

Finally Dr. U. Vaidyanatha requested Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati to address all Devotees with his holy words. Swamiji spoke for more than 30 minutes. He emphasized, that true and lasting happiness can be found only inside, in our Heart, in God, not in the outside world. Even if we will try to fulfil our wishes through outside means, we will never be satisfied, in the contrary, we will always end up wanting more and more, Swamiji said. Swamiji further told, that it would be much better for us to use the golden opportunity, that we can live in a spiritual country, like India, in a proper way, like going regularly to Temples, pray to the Divine and be as much as possible with great spiritual people like Chief-Priest Dr. U. Vaidyanatha, since in this only lies our protection, our real happiness and Salvation. Swamiji further emphasized, how important it is to protect children from the harmful influence of the Media and instill moral, ethical and spiritual values in them from a tender age.
All the Devotees were listening with rapt attention to Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's wise and inspiring words, and they several times showed their appreciation with very loud and spontaneous applause. 

For the sake of non-English-speaking Devotees, Kumari Somashekhari translated Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's precious divine words into Hindi and partly into Tamil language. 

The Devotees in the Temple were so extremely happy to be in the presence of Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari, that they were not at all in the mood to let them leave. This unforgettable divine event remained in the Hearts of All like Glimmers of divine Joy.