Swamiji took a group of 90 people to Varanasi -
the spiritual capital of India, between 3rd and 11th of Jan 2006.
The main purpose of the visit was to dissolve the ashes of Sri Sri
Sri Nithya Arunachalananda Swamiji, beloved father of our Swamiji,
who attained Maha Samadhi (left the body after Enlightenment)
on 12 Nov 2005, in the holy waters of the River Ganges in Varanasi.
Following are some of the pictures taken during the
trip:
5 Jan, Ujjain - Swamiji is seen entering
the shrine of Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the Jyotirlinga
manifestations of Lord Shiva. The temple is located
in Ujjain - a historic capital of Central India in Madhya
Pradesh and a venerated pilgrimage center.
5
Jan, Ujjain - Seen below is the sanctum sanctorium of Lord
Mahakaleshwar. The Shivalinga can be clearly seen
in the center. It is a natural formation of stone. The ashes
of Sri Sri Sri Nithya Arunachalananda was offered to the Shivalinga.
5 Jan, Ujjain - After darshan
at the Mahakaleshwar temple, Swamiji sits with the devotees
outside the sanctum sanctorium and talks on the significance
of the temple. He said that Lord Mahakaleshwar is the presiding
deity of the cycle of life and death, of the Wheel of Time
itself.
5 Jan, Ujjain - Swamiji visits the surrounding
shrines of the Mahakaleshwar temple before proceeding out.
5 Jan, Ujjain
- Seen below is the holy river Narmada, believed to be the
manifestation of Devi - the feminine Energy. On the banks
of this river is located Omkareshwar, on the Mandhata hills.
It is again one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines
of Lord Shiva. The river Narmada branches into two and forms
an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center. The shape of
the island resembles that of the visual representation of
the Omkara sound, Om. There are two temples
here, one to Lord Omkareshwar and one to Lord Amareshwar.
5 Jan, Ujjain
- Swamiji is seen offering arathi to Lord Omkareshwar...
5
Jan - Swamiji is seen next to Lord Omkareshwar...
5 Jan - Swamiji meets the head of the Omkareshwar
temple.
5
Jan - After darshan at the Omkareshwar temple, Swamiji
performs a pooja on the banks of the river Narmada
before dissolving the ashes.
5 Jan, Ujjain - Swamiji is seen dissolving
the ashes in the river Narmada in Omkareshwar.
5
Jan - Swamiji is seen at a spiritual bazaar in Omkareshwar...
