Swamiji visited the Himalayas between 23 May and
7 June 2005, taking with Him 135 devotees from all over the world.
The places of visit were Rishikesh, Haridwar, Uttarkashi,
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Joshimath.
Besides visiting holy shrines, Swamiji delivered
powerful discourses on various subjects including the topic of 'Guru
- Disciple relationship'. He answered questions from the devotees
on any subject of their choice. He also conducted spiritual workshops
on burning out the engrams (recorded negative thoughts) in each
person that are the causative factor for all physical and mental
ailments. Devotees saw Swamiji perform homas (fire rituals),
abhisheka and poojas at all the places of visit.
The group shared many spiritual experiences during the trip.
May 23, Delhi - The group gathered at a hotel
in Delhi at the start of the trip. Swamiji started by paying
His Obeisance to the Himalayas and the sacred River Ganges.
He performed abhisheka to Lord Ananda Eashwar and
Goddess Ananda Eashwari. He then recounted His first Spiritual
experience He had at the age of 12 and took the group through
a short meditation. He blessed them that they may all have
the Experience of realizing the Ultimate Truth in their own
Spiritual Journey.
May 24, Delhi - Swamiji serves breakfast
to devotees before the departure to Rishikesh.
May
24, Delhi - Swamiji holds burning camphor on a pumpkin
before the buses and symbolically marks the start of the journey
from Delhi to Rishikesh.
May 24, Rishikesh - The group arrives in
Rishikesh and sits around Swamiji on the banks of the River
Ganges. Swamiji performed the Pithru tharpan (offering
to ancestors) and later took a dip in the Ganges with the
Devotees.
May
24, Rishikesh - After a bath in the Ganges, Swamiji
performed the Viraja Homa on the river banks and
also offered abhisheka to Lord Ananda Eashwar and
Goddess Ananda Eashwari. This was followed by the giving of
Kaavi (saffron cloth) and Yagnobhavitha (Sacred
thread) to one and all, which the group wore during the entire
trip.
May 26, Hanuman chatti -
En route to Yamunotri, Swamiji is seen with the group at
Hanuman Chatti. This is the place according to Ramayana
(the ancient Hindu Epic) where Lord Hanuman uprooted the
Sanjeevini Hill with its medicinal herbs and flew with it
to Sri Lanka to save the lives of Rama and Lakshmana. The
place from where the hill was uprooted could be seen as
a flat area amongst the other hills.
May
26, Yamunotri - Swamiji with a part of the group
in Yamunotri.
May
26, Yamunotri - Swamiji pays Obeisance to the sacred
Yamunotri after offering arathi to it.
May 26, En route to Yamunotri - Swamiji with
the temple of Yamunotri in the background
