Ati Rudram Shangrila
An Ati Rudram event was organized in Siddhashram, Shangrila Atlanta from April 19th to 23rd under the direction and guidance from our Guruji. This event was attended by all the gurucool members from different parts North America, Canada, UK and other far away places.
Highlights of the event
The event started by setting up of the kalashams filled with holy water that contained fragrant kalasha powder and decorated with Shiva and Devi faces. The event started with the opening chants of Vedic scriptures and sukthams. At the same time poojas were done to Ganapathi and navagrahas. Punyahavachanam was done simultaneously by the assigned members of gurucool for purification Purposes.
The main event started with the chanting of Mahanyasam, Rudram and chamakam while elaborate abhishekam was done to shiva continuously by all the shishyas of gurucool and the devotees that were attending the event. Sri Vidya navavarana pooja was performed by Sri Vidya upasakas while the abhishekam was being performed. This celebration continued until the 22nd with Rudra parayanam, chanting of chamakam, performing abhishekam and sri chakra navavarana pooja. Rudra kramarchana was done with bilva leaves. During this event, Rudra Ghanam was chanted in full by the members of gurucool in a jugalbandi style between men and ladies under the guidance of our Guruji. Another important aspect of this event was, chanting of Achhidram which was taught by our Guruji before the event.
The speeches given by our Guruji, in between throughout the event, explaining each part of the poojas or chanting was a great learning experience. This event was also blessed with the presence of the swamiji , Sri Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharati Maha swamiji of Sri Siddheswari Peetam. It was a very blissful experience to hear his pravachanams every evening where he shared his life experiences.
The final day was dedicated to performing Rudra Homam. The day started by starting of the Agni mukham in all the homa kundams by the men and women ritwiks of gurucool who were all trained by our Guruji. Homam was performed to the 11 times chanting of Rudram followed by purnahuthi and jayadi homam etc. After the completion of the formalities of the homam, abhishekam was performed to shiva from the kalasha water and alankaram was done.
This was a mega event which was planned and executed with lots of dedication, devotion, commitment and enthusiasm. All the volunteers from both gurucool as well as shangrila siddhashram played a huge role in making this event a grand success. They showed kindness, love and compassion to all the members who attended the event. Food arrangements were done with utmost care.
With lots of blessings from our Guruji, Guruma, Shiva and Shakthi and wonderful memories of this divine event, everyone travelled back to their destinations.
