Sri Siddhi Vinayagar Kumbhabhishekam

A somewhat belated post from Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's recent travels to Malaysia, where he participated in the Kumbha abhishekam the Sri Siddhi Vinayagar Temple.

Nirvani Tejadevanatha sent us these notes from their travels:

Aum Namasivaya,

After a slightly bumpy plane ride we safely arrived in Malaysia. The sky opened up and rained heavily upon our plane landing at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Our enthusiastic members jumped at the opportunity to receive blessings from Satguru. An open area of the airport was converted into Satguru's Dharshan Hall. Members were ready for the blessings to flow like water from the clouds above.

The next day and after a two hour drive we arrived at the Behrang Ulu Ganesha Temple. The streets were packed with devotees attending the once in every 12 year Kumbabishekam. One of our members said Gurudeva had a vision of Lord Ganesa at this temple adding to the powerful vibration of this small temple. The medium sized Ganesa radiates a shakti that is so sweet and soothing I wanted to stay at the temple all day. Following the final Kumbabishekam of the temple Satguru gave Vibhuti blessings for two hours to all who came before him. We estimate 500-700 people received Vibhuti blessings. When ask if Satguru need to take a break during the intense Vibhuti blessings he replied,  "No with a smile". Old people young people, people in wheel chairs and crutches dropped to the holy feet of Satguru. I diligently removed the mountain of flowers that were offered to Satguru.  After the amazing temple event we drove one block to the home of our long time devotee Selvanathan Jothiswara and his brother Kanesh. Selvanathan had orchestrated Satguru's travel to the Kumbabishekam. Three days before Satguru arrived Selvanathan and Kanesh over saw all preparations for the grand Kumbabishekam . It was a magnificent event. Jai Ganesa Jai Satguru !!!

Aum Aum,
Travel Team

Our members go all out to welcome Satguru. 

The members queue up for blessings

We are all so happy to have Satguru back in Malaysia!!!

This is Satguru\

s shrine that travels with him all over the world. The first thing he does upon arriving at a new hotel is set up his shrine then place flowers and fruits at Natarajas feet. '

This is Tejadevanatha\

s travel shrine'

Our daily early morning walk begins, we are planning another 3 mile walk!

Malaysia is known for its vast oil palm plantations. Below is a hill side packed with mature oil palms. This is a newly planted hill side of oil palms. They will produce oil for 25 years or more, then they are removed and new palms are planted

We arrive at the temple and Satguru receives the traditional foot washing

A huge crowd gathers to receive Satguru\

s darshan '

The red carpet is rolled out and young devotees sprinkle flowers before every step Satguru takes

There is the temple, Jai Ganesa

A very nice banner is  prominently displayed of Gurudeva, Bodhintha and Yogaswami

Satguru give a nice talk with Tamil translation

All present intently listen to his profound words of wisdom

Gurudeva is listening to the talk as well

Next we move to the Yagasal where Kumbas are blessed to be used during several abishekams

The Ganesa kumba in the middle has exquisite silver kavacham

Satguru and I offer sacred grains, sandal wood and other holy items to the blazing homa as the priest invoke God

Nagaswarm and Tavil wait for the final arati before playing

Satguru begins his climb up three flights of stairs to the main goporum 

Almost there Satguru, a few more steps to go!

At the top of the stairs we are greeted by a quadcopter taking video footage of the grand event

Hundreds of devotees eagerly await the Abishekam

The blessed Ganesa kumba is poised to be poured over the temple gopuram spire

Satguru give a BIG SMILE to the crowd before the abishekam begins

Flowers are showered over all present

Next the blessed Kumba tirtam is sprinkled over all devotees 

Satguru performs abishekam and arati to a side shrine of Lord Muruga

The main deity Ganesa blessed all devotees

Vel Muruga!

Satguru is fed a south indian banana leaf meal before the Vibhuti blessings begin

Crowds of devotees queue up to be blessed by Satguru

With every devotee that came before Satguru, Vibhuti is given and the sweet words of  Aum Namasivaya is spoken. 

Satguru is tireless as he blessed every one that came before him

Gurudeva seems to enjoy the event !

Next Satguru is invited to the  Jothiswara home

Satguru is brought to the sublime home shrine room, where he performs an arati to Nataraja.  See the pictures of Gurudeva above, he is everywhere.

Satguru blessed Kanesh Jothiswara\

s youngest son after his first hair cutting samskara. Sandal wood past is applied as part of the samskara'

He then performs the first feeding samskara

The rest of the family come forward for blessings

 Selvanathan Jothiswara is overjoyed with the many blessings Satguru has bestowed upon his family

We will be back in 12 years for the next Kumbabishekam, Jai Ganesa!!!

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