Shatachandi and Atirudram
The GRD Iyers GuruCool, under the divine guidance of Guruji Shri Ramesh Natarajan and Guruma Smt. Sridevi Gayathri, will be conducting a sacred event of immense spiritual significance at the Paramarth Ashram, Rishikesh, from April 10 to April 18, 2026. This grand gathering will revolve around the performance of the Ati Rudram and Shata Chandi Mahayagnam, uniting over 250 shishyas and devotees from across the world. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Himalayan foothills and the sacred flow of the river Ganga, this event aims to invoke divine grace, spiritual transformation, and inner purification for all participants.
The upcoming rituals at Rishikesh are envisioned as a radiant convergence of devotion, discipline, and tradition—where every element, from the installation of deities to the sequence of chants, will be conducted with deep reverence in accordance with the Vedic scriptures. True to the GuruCool’s core philosophy, this event will serve as a spiritual yagna for universal harmony and the collective upliftment of all beings.
Beyond being a religious assembly, the event will reflect the GuruCool’s enduring mission of nurturing Vedic learning, spiritual inclusivity, and the living traditions of Sanatana Dharma in their most authentic form. Every shishya attending the event—whether an experienced upasaka or an earnest learner—will have the opportunity to participate, observe, and grow under the divine vibrations created by thousands of mantras resonating across the serene environs of Rishikesh.
The elaborate schedule, meticulously envisioned by Guruji Ramesh Natarajan, outlines a multi-layered spiritual journey spread across nine days. The event will commence with the setting up of kalashams, mandalams, Shiva Lingam, and Durga Murti, forming the sacred foundations for the upcoming rituals. Each element installed will symbolize divine energy, purity, and focus—establishing the auspicious space for the Mahayagnam.
A detailed Sankalpam will mark the formal beginning of the proceedings, invoking divine blessings for the success of the event and for the welfare of devotees and the world at large. Following this will be a series of mandatory preliminary rituals, including Ganapathi Pooja, Nandi Shrardham, Punyahavachanam, Vaishnava Shrardham, Varuna Pooja, and Dwarapalaka Pooja. These foundational ceremonies are intended to purify the environment, remove obstacles, and sanctify the venue for the main yajnas. Each pooja will be performed with utmost precision by trained priests and shishyas, reflecting the GuruCool’s hallmark blend of tradition and discipline.
At the heart of the event lies the Durga Sapthashathi Parayanam and Chandi Homam, where hymns from the Devi Mahatmyam are chanted to invoke the Goddess’s protection and energy. The powerful Chandi Homam, performed in unison by learned homakarthas, will fill the air with the vibrational energy of mantras dedicated to divine feminine power, signifying victory of righteousness and the eradication of negativity.
Each day will begin with sacred chanting sessions including Mahanyasam, Laghunyasam, Rudram, and Chamakam, followed by the Rudra Homam, an offering to Lord Shiva symbolizing cosmic peace and internal purification. As the event progresses, advanced Vedic recitations will form part of the daily highlights—featuring Rudra Kramam, Ghanam, Acchidram, Ashwamedham, and Aruna Prashnam—each representing a deeper level of scriptural mastery and resonance. These intricate chants, performed by trained Vedic scholars and disciples, will transform the ashram into a living temple of sound and spirituality.
A unique dimension of this gathering lies in the inclusive participation of trained homakarthas across 11 homa kundams, including women participants, thereby reflecting the GuruCool’s commitment to equality and inclusivity in spiritual practice. This aspect underscores the institution’s vision of empowering sincere seekers—irrespective of gender—to embrace ritual learning and contribute to Vedic propagation.
Alongside these grand Vedic rituals, the Sri Chakra Navavarana Pooja will be performed daily by selected Sri Vidya upasakas from the Sri Amrutha Chaithanya Mandali (SV group) of the GRD Iyers GuruCool. This sacred worship, centered on the mystical geometry of the Sri Chakra, will bring forth the energies of Goddess Lalitha Tripura Sundari, representing the union of beauty, knowledge, and transcendence.
As the days progress, collective chanting, homams, and meditation sessions will create a deeply immersive spiritual atmosphere. The synergy between Vedic priests, shishyas, and upasakas chanting in perfect harmony will awaken the subtle vibrations within every participant, bringing profound inner peace and rejuvenation.
The grand finale promises to be a deeply moving culmination of devotion, featuring the Kalashabhishekam, the sacred bathing of deities with sanctified waters collected from holy rivers. This ceremony will be accompanied by Alankaram (divine decoration), Mangala Arathi (auspicious aarti), Ashtavadhana Seva, and recitations of Chatur Veda Parayanam and Shiva Stotrams. These offerings, performed under the spiritual direction of the Guruji and Guruma, will symbolize the successful completion of the Mahayagnam, radiating blessings to all devotees present and to the world at large.
Every moment of the event is designed to fuse devotion with discipline—bridging ancient traditions with the spirit of modern inclusivity. Through prayer, mantra, and the guru-shishya sambandham (bond), the Rishikesh event stands as a living testament to the enduring power of spiritual congregation.
To participate in or witness this extraordinary confluence of Ati Rudram and Shata Chandi rituals by the GRD Iyers GuruCool is to experience divinity in its purest form. The sacred chants, echoing across the banks of the Ganga and through the mystical Himalayan ridges, are expected to leave every soul steeped in tranquility and wonder. Each reverberation of Vedic mantra, each plume of homa smoke ascending toward the sky, will embody centuries of spiritual tradition and collective aspiration.
For the GuruCool family, this gathering will be more than a ritual; it will be a reunion of devotion and learning—a chance for disciples to reconnect with their Guru, Guruma, and fellow seekers in an environment charged with divine energy. The collective efforts of hundreds of shishyas, chanting and performing with unwavering dedication, will transform the ashram into a sacred field of spiritual resonance.
The atmosphere of brotherhood and devotion among the GuruCool members, combined with the serene aura of Rishikesh, will make the event an unforgettable experience of growth, gratitude, and grace. The forthcoming days of yajna and parayanam will not only reaffirm the timeless value of Guru-shishya tradition but also reinforce the GuruCool’s larger purpose—spreading spiritual wisdom, unity, and self-realization across continents.
As anticipation builds toward April 2026, devotees and disciples await this momentous occasion with great enthusiasm and humility, looking forward to being enveloped in the spiritual vibrations, profound teachings, and blessings that radiate through every endeavor led by Guruji Shri Ramesh Natarajan and Guruma Smt. Sridevi Gayathri.