Pujya Sri Swamiji in Australia - March 2008
Sri Swamiji visited Australia for the 3rd time from 19th March to 31st March 2008. On 18th March 2008 morning, Sri Swamiji arrived in Sydney (via Singapore) and in the evening gave Darshana to devotees in a public hall.
From 19th to 24th, Sri Swamiji rested in Cairns, the Northern Australian town famous for Great Barrier Reef. Sri Swamiji visited Cairns Zoo, Scenic train to Kurunda village, fabled rain forests, cable car over the rain forests, Rex view point, and the Great Barrier Reef itself. The stay was filled with quietude and tranquility. Sri Swamiji seemed to be interested in the flora and fauna of the area.
From 25th Onwards, Sri Swamiji’s programs were held in Melbourne. On 25th evening, Sri Swamiji arrived at the home of Sri. Kolar Manjunath and Smt. Lakshmi and gave Darshana to the committee members of the recently established Victoria Datta Yoga Center (DYC Australia web link). On 26th, Sri Swamiji drove along the great ocean road (GOR) from Melbourne to Geelong. The Oceanside road overlooking the Pacific ocean is charming and scenic. Sri Swamiji stopped along the way and sprinkled seawater.
On 27th, Sri Swamiji toured the city of Melbourne and enjoyed the sight from the 98th floor of Eureka Towers where one can have sweeping views of Melbourne. In the evening, devotees had opportunity to perform Paduka Puja.
On 28th morning, Sri Swamiji visited the farm of Smt. Sarita Kulakarni, a sericulturist and Blessed the family’s vision to build a small Datta temple. Sri Swamiji named the project as “Sri Datta Mandir”. In the evening, Bhajans were held in St.Jude’s community centre in Scoresby, just outside Sri Swamiji’s home in South Wantrina. Sri Swamiji was reverentially welcomed to the official programs by Sri Srivallabh Jajoo, President of Victoria Datta Yoga Center. Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Marathi & Tamil.
On 29th Saturday, Music for Meditation and Healing program was held in Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne. More than 1200 people attended the program. It started at 6 PM by screening of Nada Brahma music video. Sri Martaanda Joshi, a prominent Indian in Melbourne, inaugurated the concert. Kum. Sushweta, its designer, presented later Sri Swamiji with a souvenir book commemorating the historic event.
The backdrop behind on the large stage was stunning temple creation by Sri Murali, an IT professional and an avid artist. Sri Swamiji chose to play the Bhumi Tattva Raga Malika in honour of the “Earth Hour” observed throughout the world. Sri Swamiji in His message said that the Ragas were for the happiness of mother earth. The four Ragas in this theme were “Raga Anagha” (created by Sri Swamiji), Raga Revati, Raga Nartaki and Raga Shubha Pantuvarali. During Tani-Avaratana, Sri Swamiji walked around the auditorium with the crystal wand in His hand. After the concert, Sri Sharma, Secretary of Kannada Association of Melbourne offered to Sri Swamiji a CNC pinned large metal sheet having the image of Sri Swamiji.
Sri Kasturi Rangan proposed vote of thanks while VDYC Treasurer, Sri. Srikant and his wife gave mementoes to the accompanying artists (Jaitra Varanasi – Violin), Tadepalli Narasimham aka Mani -Support Keyboard, Shankar Ramesh- Mridangam and Manasa Datta – Tabala).
After the concert, Sri Swamiji sat at the edge of the stage and received respects and greetings from many.
On Sunday, 30th March, Sri Chakra Puja and Ganapathy Homa were observed in the St.Jude Community Centre. Whilst Puja was being performed, well-known Australian violinist Murali led a group of musicians in a musical ensemble. Well known neurologist, Dr. Vaidya Bala, son of Sri. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan participated on keyboard.
At 4 PM. Sri Swamiji inaugurated a symposium on Music Therapy. Dr.Phanishree of Mysore Ashrama’s SGS Hospital led the program. Sri Swamiji later visited Phillip Island, situated a couple of hours away from Melbourne. There Sri Swamiji witnessed “Penguin Parade”, a wonderful sight of small penguins returning to their boroughs from sea. The mass of Penguins marching out of the sea and struggling to come ashore and then to their respective borough is a sight to behold.
On 31st, March, Sri Swamiji left Melbourne at 11 AM to Singapore and thence to Malaysia. Before leaving, Sri Swamiji addressed the members of the VDYC and gave instructions to keep meeting regularly and conduct Satsangs and community work.
Sri Swamiji on the Great Ocean Road (GOR) from Melbourne to Seven Apostles. The scenery was spectacular.
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Sri Swamiji approaches the Sea with reverence
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The scenic panorama train from Cairns to Kurunda village up in the hills.
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The return from Kurunda village was via cable car. The rain forest is below and it's a wonderful experience to travel above the canopy of rain forest
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Mother nature
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Australian Rain forest
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Pujya Sri Swamiji with a Kangaroo in Cairns Zoo
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Sri Swamiji views the sea from Rex View Point near Port. Douglas
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Sri Swamiji sings Bhajans in Melbourne on 28 March 2008
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The audience sing Bhajans
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The Trimurti farm of Kulakarnis who intend to build a small Datta temple. The small mound is the area chosen by Pujya Sri Swamiji
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Sri Swamiji explains the concept of Datta Temple to Mr.and Mrs .Kulakarni (next to Swami Manasa)
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Sri Martaand Joshi lights the inaugural lamp of the Music for Meditation and Healing concert in Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash university, Melbourne on 30th March 2008 at 6.30 PM. Sri Manjunath, Secretary of the Victoria Datta Yoga Center watches.
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The grand stage decoration with three temples of Ganapathy, Raja Rajeshwari and Saraswati. It was designed by Sri. Murali an information techie and a hobby painter.
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Ms.Sushwetha offers to Pujya Sri Swamiji the commemorating souvenir.
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Sri. Sharma, Secretary of Kannada Sangha gifts the portrait of Sri Swamiji made of tiny holes on a metal sheet. This was made on a CNC machine. The portrait will be displayed in Vishwam Museum, Mysore Ashrama.
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Sri Swamiji Blesses the stage decorator, Sri Murali while VDYC's committee member, Sri Kasturi Rangan looks on.
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Sri Chakra Puja on Sunday, 30th March 2008 in St.Jude Community Centre
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The musical ensemble which performed during Sri Chakra Puja stand on the stage and receive Prasad from Swami Manasa Datta.
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Sri Guru Datta
prasad/3.4.2008/kl,Malaysia