Chitra Puja

Namaste everyone, here are some photos from our Chitra puja on April 16. We worshiped Gurudeva's holy tiruvadi and received his blessings for another month of sadhana, discipline and strength.

Gurudeva\

s murthi sits in Kadavul Temple, radiating with gold'

The eleven items are prepared and will soon be offered to Gurudeva by being poured on the tiruvadi. A lot of young Hindus don\

t know the mystical reasons we do this. '

The prana, or energy, from the item being poured builds a temporary area for the deity to hover. The inner-world sheath is pulled tight and the old soul peering into this world can see every item and everyone worshipping.

The deity can use the energy coming from the item being offered and send it back out into the devotees as rays of energy

Imagine a breathing in and breathing out function in front of food. You can breathe in and smell the freshness of the food. The difference is the deity can control the out-breath and direct it towards you.

Natyam Jayanatha and Sadhaka Dayanatha are the pujari\

s for this ceremony'

The arati flame, vibhuti, incense and food, are all resources Hindus have to get in touch with the inner worlds

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami looks on at his guru. Satguru chants Sri Rudram with the other swamis. He performed a discipline of chanting Sri Rudram everyday while on one of his many pilgrimages to India.

Offering the naivedyam to Gurudeva. Breathe in, breathe out and feel the darshan. To see and to be seen, that is the guru\

s job to the devotee. '

Kaivalyanathaswami is seen here at the peak of his flower offering. He has a grace about it, a certain je ne sais quoi.

Devotees rush forward after chanting the Mantra Pushpam chant and offer their flowers

The final arati. A time of still excitement. Everyone feels the peak of the darshan now. The silent halls of our minds become one with that which we worship. Aum Namah Shivaya

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