2013 Gurudeva Mahasamadhi Day 2

"Life is meant to be lived joyously. There is in much of the world the belief that life is a burden, a feeling of penitence, that it is good to suffer, good for the soul. In fact, spiritual life is not that way at all." Gurudeva

Day two of the Aadheenam's Gurudeva Mahasamadhi Celebrations began with a short early-morning pada puja performed by Sadhaka Mayuranatha and Sadhaka Jayanatha. Following the puja was a silent meditation.

After Breakfast, the group of pilgrims gathered in the courtyard for a Santsang with Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami. He gave a short talk and then told some wonderful stories about Gurudeva. He then played a video, taken during Gurudeva's 70th birthday on an Alaskan cruise ship. In the Video Gurudeva described his first meeting with Yogaswami. Paramacharya ended the class with a discussion about the importance of the guru.

Pilgrims continued their full day with lunch followed by a grand paduka parade out to the Swayambhu Lingam. Gurudeva's tiruvadi were placed on a palanquin and paraded through the property to several key points where worship was performed and individual groups of pilgrims had a their chance to receive prasadam. The first stop was Umbrella Ganesha, the second was Iraivan Temple, followed by Dakshinamurti, then Muruga Hill, and finally the Swayambhu Lingam. Afterwards everyone returned to Kaduval temple and then left for the evening, to return the next day for our first homa in our newly created yagasala.

Jai Gurudeva!

everyone gathers in Kaduval for the morning\

s padapuja'

A lovely tray of cut fruit is presented as naivedyam

Chanting Gurdeva 108 names

The pujaris used handfulls of flowers for each name

The final arati

everyone joins the silent meditation, including both priests

Pilgrims gather in the courtyard with Sadasivanathaswami

it begins with a traditional song

Everyone enjoyed the video if Gurudeva

Group Photo!

the pilgrims go for lunch together

Much of the food was prepared by the monks

The parade begins, starting from Kaduval

Gurudeva\

s paduka are carefully carried '

At the Umbrella Ganesha the first group of pilgrims receives their prasadam

The parade continues on

The group goes past the flag pole and down into Rishi Valley

Iraivan temple is the next stop

The priests chant for Gurudeva in the inner sanctum

The energy that flows from the temple is unexpectedly powerful, and feels like a cool breeze, washing away all thoughts of life\

s imperfection'

The suns golden rays hit the temple as it lowered toward the mountain

The parade reaches Dakshinamurti

Dakshinamurti is beautifully oiled and decorated

The parade then proceeds down San Marga towards Muruga Hill

Vel Muruga

up the hill they go

The light through the bamboo is quite nice

A final arati, and then back down San Marga to the Swayambhu Lingam

Yogaswami sits with his predecessors around the lingam

The priests perform their beautiful chanting

Afterwards everyone poses for a group photo

Aum Namah Sivaya

The sunset is wonderful as everyone leaves

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