Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
From Bangalore, Shree Maa and Swamiji, along with our group of devotes, took the train to Coimbatore. Upon reaching Coimbatore, the group traveled to the Niligiri Hills.
Along the way we stopped at a devotee’s house and, as is customary in India, the families in attendance performed a Pada Puja (worship of the Guru’s feet). They also offered a delightful meal to Shree Maa, Swamiji and the entire group.
In close proximity to where we were staying, there is a temple that was created by some of Shree Maa’s devotees.
The temple is located on the outskirts of the town and situated in a beautiful forest area. It has a large murti of Sai Baba and a Shiva Lingam.
This quaint temple usually enforces a rule of silence to encourage mediation and introspection. However, the local people were happy to have Shree Maa and Swamiji perform Shiva Puja to the Shiva Lingam and to chant the Rudrashtadhayayi.
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All of the devotees in attendance were spell-bound watching Shree Maa worship Lord Shiva.
After the recitation was complete, Shree Maa performed Arati and everyone offered light to Lord Shiva.
During the Arati, there was no drum available. So, Shree Maa grabbed a metal plate and asked for a cup.
She playfully began to bang on the plate with the cup and keep the beat of the Arati. Everyone was delighted!
A few days later, we all returned to this temple in the evening for worship and Kirtan.
Shree Maa and Swamiji first performed Shiva Puja to the Shiva Lingam.
The room was teeming with devotees who were observing the puja with full attention. Everyone was touched as Swamiji loudly pronounced the mantras and Shree Maa made the offerings to Lord Shiva.
As Swamiji began to chant the mantra to offer Dakshina (money), he noticed that no money was on the plate to be offered.
As such, he encouraged and inspired all of the devotees to offer some money for Lord Shiva.
Suddenly, everyone in the temple reached into their pockets and passed money to be taken for the offering.
Everyone was filled with a beautiful bhava (spiritual attitude) as Swamiji recited the mantra for offering Dakshina several times so that everyone had a chance to make their offering.
After the Shive Puja, Shree Maa and Swamiji went to a large outdoor area with a havan kund.
Nanda gave an introduction about the lives of Shree Maa and Swamiji in the local language of Tamil. Then, Shree Maa led the group in bhajans.
The crowd began to grow and had become immense as Shree Maa swept everyone off their feet with the beauty of Her pristine voice. As the energy grew and grew, one devotee, Mahananda, stood up and began to dance.
Soon, many people were dancing and Swamiji stood with his keyboard and encouraged the crowd to stand.
The devotees formed a large circle and danced around as Shree Maa sang with greater and greater energy.
Shree Maa invited other people to sing as well and the devotion grew so strong that everyone continued to dance and sing for God.
The temple devotees made mention that they had never experienced anything like this before. All agreed that this was a true Satsang and that the inspiration will no doubt live on and on in the hearts of those who were present.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!