Shree Maa and Swamiji’s first stop in Himachal Pradesh was Palampur, located in a steep mountainous area with the snow capped Dhauladhar mountain range towering above. Like the Southern Nilagiri Hills, Himachal is known for abundant tea production, but in addition there are wheat fields of various sizes interspersed amidst areas of residential dwellings. Palampur […]
Over the years we have visited many pilgrimage places around the world. Most of these yatras were for the purpose of conducting special vows of worship, pujas, homas, recitation of scriptures, and feeding people.
Enclosed are descriptions of some of the places we have visited, along with what we did while we were there, and in many cases what we found by doing it.
Also, we have included information about other places of worship, where you might want to visit.
Morning walk through a park in Delhi
Shree Maa and Swamiji took a morning walk through Delhi’s Rose Garden park. Even in a huge metropolis like Delhi, yoga and meditation play an important role in people’s lives. A morning walk Practicing yoga and meditation amidst the peace and serenity that the park provides
A warm welcome in Bangalore
Shree Maa and Swamiji were warmly received in Bangalore where they stopped for a visit and rest along the way. Mantras were ceremoniously recited while their feet were washed and while offerings of flower garlands and light were made. Shree Maa and Swamiji are welcomed with flower garlands
A Visit to the Shiva Sailam Temple Near Mysore
Shree Maa and Swamiji were invited to visit Shiva Sailam, a large temple near Mysore in the state of Karnataka, located amidst lush green fields and surrounded on all four sides by a river which is a tributary to Kaveri. Lord Shiva in the form of Chandramouleshwara and Divine Mother Kamakshi are worshipped daily. There […]
Images from the Journey Northward part 2
As we drove through India, we were often reminded of another sort of pilgrimmage – to places featured in popular movies. This double rock outcropping in Ramanagara was the setting for the Indian classic film “Sholay” which ran for 286 continuous weeks in a theater in Mumbai. The Mysore Palace. A flat tire is never […]
Images from the Journey Northward part 1
Shree Maa and Swamiji left Ooty and traveled through a tiger reserve on the way to a temple near Mysore. Next they went to Bangalore, and finally continued on to Delhi. The road from Ooty to Mysore passes through a large tiger reserve and we saw a few wild animals – but no tigers Families […]
Last satsang in Ooty rich with bhava and devotion part 2
Shree Maa and Swamiji meditate as the excitement grows Coming out of meditation, Shree Maa is pleased with the dance performance by a group of children and gives blessings Shree Maa joins the celebration and leads a circle of devotees in a dance around the Sai Baba Murti. See previous section
Last satsang in Ooty rich with bhava and devotion part 1
A large Sai Baba satsang from the Adigaratti village came to the temple to chant, sing and dance for Shree Maa and Swamiji on their last evening in Ooty. Shree Maa and Swamiji are escorted to the temple amidst traditional chants The evening satsang began with a strong recitation from memory of the Ganesh Atharva […]
Swami Satyananda blends ancient Vedic fire ceremony with modern portable technology – an iPad and a projector
Swami Satyananda has found a modern solution to an ancient problem – how to share his ever increasing collection of knowledge as he travels around the world – and yet still be able to carry his luggage as he goes. In order to enable seekers to join him in performing Vedic rituals – in this […]
Devotional Dancing with Shree Maa and Swamiji
After the trip to the herbal garden, some devotional dancing was to be performed for Shree Maa and Swamiji. Soon enough though, Shree Maa, Swamiji, and everybody else were dancing too Performing a dance for Shree Maa and Swamiji The Gurus join the fun
A Tour of the Herbal Garden
Renowned organic horticulturalist Dr. Selvaraj led Shree Maa, Swamiji, and a dozen devotees on a tour of the Tamilnadu Agricultural University Horticultural Research Station in Ooty. Dr. Selvaraj, who has published a book on the medicinal uses of various herbs, showed everyone the organic herbal green house and gardens, pointing out the healing properties of […]
Satsang at the Sri Sarada Brahma Vidya Kendra Ashram
Shree Maa and Swamiji filled up a small bus with devotees and drove through the hills to the Sri Sarada Brahma Vidya Kendra Ashram of Guru Priyananda for a satsang filled with devotional singing, prayers and arati. The ashram provides critical services for helpless down trodden girls and women and follows the traditions of Ramakrishna, […]
A Visit to a Tea Estate
The Nilagiri Hills have something in common with Shree Maa’s birthplace of Assam, and that is plenty of tea cultivation. Shree Maa and Swamiji went to visit and bless the mountainous tea estate of the Maduvan family. The estate is approximately 35 acres, with selected areas transitioning to organic cultivation. Shree Maa and Swamiji overlooking […]
A Morning Walk through the Ooty Rose Garden
After their morning puja, Shree Maa and Swamiji along with their host Dr. Selvaraj and several devotees enjoyed a morning walk through the local rose garden. Dr. Selvaraj is a renowned organic horticulturalist and everyone enjoyed his knowledgeable commentary on the vast variety of roses in the garden. Laughing with the gurus amidst the roses […]
Visiting the Nearby Karthikeya Temple
Shree Maa and Swamiji went to make offerings and take the darshan of Shiva’s second son, Karthikeya (also known as Muruga and Subramanya) at a nearby temple up a steep hill. Ganesh, Shiva’s first son The Kartikeya Temple