Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Together with Shree Maa and Swamiji we all made a trip to the Sri Nilambika temple (Blue Mother) situated on top the Neel Mountain, which overlooks the city of Tryambakeshwar. There, the Divine Mother is also worshiped in the form of Annapurna, She who Nourishes with Food and Grains.
Swamiji related that he had visited this temple some 15 years before, and remembering his visit, the Sadhus living there were happy to welcome our group. They allowed us all to sit inside the inner sanctum and chant the Annapurna Sahasranam. Swamiji set up the computer broadcast for the world to see.
Shree Maa was full of energy and chanted the names of Mother Annapurna in a powerful voice that was filled with devotion. Ramya, a close devotee, offered flower petals to the Goddess with each name.
At the end of the names, the group chanted the Annapurna Stotram, and Swamiji offered dakshina to the Goddess.
Swamiji then took the broadcasting camera and showed the area around the temple, as well as the magnificent scenic view of the town below.
Many people from around the world were able to see the beauty of that place through live web-streaming.
There is one spot on the temple wall overlooking the town below which is worshiped there at Nilambika. It is said that the Goddess who resided in the temple, Sapta Shringi, left the temple from that spot to go see the great Rishi Markandeya, who was performing tapasya nearby.
We then made our way down the hill and visited a nearby ashram to give our pranams to the Guru who lived there. Swamiji offered him dakshina and the Guru of the ashram did the same: offering dakshina, a flower mala and some fruit to Shree Maa and Swamiji.
Swamiji and Shree Maa took darshan of the murti of Durga located there as well.