(Above): Devotees carring the Kalasha and Swamiji blessings the devotees. [Balaji Temple]
Balaji Temple in San Jose, Calif., celebrated Guru Poornima in a two-day celebration, July 11-12. The occassion began with Kalasha pooja and sthapana followed by kirtan, bhajans and satsang by Narayananda Swami culminating in a devotional feast called Bhandari Pooja.
The day started with Balaji Abhishekam and chanting of Suprabhatha - the musical chant to wake up Lord Venkateshwara. Later in the day, with Dr. Ashok Kumar as the Karta, Priest Manoj Kumar, Chandarshekar Vittala Das, and Partha Sarthi performed Yagna to invoke all Gods including Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Panduranga, Garuda, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Venkateshwara. The Kalashas were then carried to the the dwajasthambha where it was installed marking the 48th. day of the Dwajasthamba Sthapana.
A sacred thread ran throughout the temple connecting each God’s Sannidhi all the way to the Dwjathasthambha.
Swamiji shared the knowledge on Guru Gita, a part of the Skanda Purana authored by Ved Vyas.
Volunteers organized Guru Vandana after satsang where devotees performed Paadha Pooja for Swami Narayananda. Padma Vittaladasi, a devotee, after performing the Paadha Pooja, shared her miraculous dream where Swami Narayananada was serving Lord Hanuman and both of them showering blessings on her.
The event was also attended by Prabhu Goel, Ravi Agrawal, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Swami T, Shiv Mehta and Murlee Bhaskhar. After the Guru Pooja, Swamiji organized a devotional feast where each devotee sang a devotional song while others ate prasadam. It was a dual treat with music and food loved by one and all.
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