Mountain Path
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Celebration of Ramana’s Advent at Arunachala in Canada
The devout bhaktas at Arunachala Ashrama both in New York City and at Nova Scotia celebrated the 83rd Anniversary of Sri Bhagavan’s Advent at Sri Arunachala in a grand way at Nova Scotia, Canada. The celebration began with a special Sri Chakra Puja performed on August 31, in Sri Arunachala Ramana Mandiram there.
Soft breezes swept over Sri Arunachala Ramana Mandiram on R.R. 1 near Bridgetown on September 2, 1979 and carried the soul-stirring sound of hymns and prayers offered on the 83rd Anniversary of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Advent at Sri Arunachala to the low hillocks guarding the picturesque valley of Nova Scotia (Eastern Canada).
A hundred Indian men women and children from different parts of Canada gathered at the precincts of the Temple and chanted prayers in unison with great devotion which made one forget temporarily that the celebration was not in India, but in a foreign land.
The programme opened with Ganesha Puja conducted by Dr.Lakshminarayana of Moncton, New Brunswick, and followed by an introduction by Mr.B.K.Raju, who had been instrumental several years ago in acquiring the land on which the Temple stands and recovering the framed-house of the Temple. He expressed great pleasure that so many Indian families had come to celebrate Sri Bhagavan’s Anniversary.
Sri Arunachala Bhakta Bhagavat warmly welcomed the guests and invited them to come to the Temple and Arunachala Ashrama any time they wished.
Sri Bhagavat introduced his friend, Sri G.P.Jain, editor of Sevagram Farm Weekly, New Delhi, who had arrived in Nova Scotia two days before to attend the anniversary celebrations and study the work the Ashrama was doing in the western Hemisphere.
Sri Jain thanked Sri Bhagavat for inviting him to the function and assured that he would carry the deep impression made on him by the devotees of Ramana Maharshi who were opening the West to the teachings of the Sage of Arunachala.
After some more select bhajans, Miss Evelyn Kaselow, briefly spoke on her visit to Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, during March, 1979. She described it as a great spiritual experience for her.
The celebration ended with the distribution of Prasadam to all participants on the spacious lawns of the Temple.
– October 1979 issue of 'The Mountain Path', pg.267.
Adoration to the Mother – Maha Puja
In 1922 when Bhagavan gave mukti to His Mother by placing His right hand on her chest and the left hand on her head, Hew declared that she was not dead but 'absorbed'. In accordance with the injunctions laid down down by Saint Tirumular, the samdhi of the Mother was constructed. A temple was raised over it. The linga was given the name Matrubhuteswara. Bhagavan in His own hand writing wrote on the stone tablet 'Matrubhuteswara Mahasannidhanam'. This Absorbtion Day is solemnly celebrated every year as 'Maha Puja'.
This year too, on 21 May 1987, the Maha Puja was thus celebrated with chantings, pujas, speeches and music. There was feeding of the poor on a large scale. Throughout the day, the Presence of the Mother was felt powerfully by the devotees.
Sri Arunachala Bhakta Bhagawat's books: 'In Search of Self' and 'The Mighty Mahatma' were released on Maha Puja Day. Sri Dennis Hartel released these books by giving them to [1] Sri A.R.Natarajan and [2] Sri K.V.Ramanan.
– July 1979 issue of 'The Mountain Path', pg.215.