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Mysore, June 7- Devotees of Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji are abuzz with hectic preparations for a grand celebration of his 60th birthday which will begin on June 15.
A huge shamiana has already come up in the sprawling land beside the Datta Venkateswara Temple in the ashram premises on Mysore-Nanjangud Road. With about one-and-a-half acres of land under the shamiana, it has been named Garuda Mantap.
The Shashtyabdipurthi function, religious programmes and cultural activities will take place in this shamiana for nine days.
Swamiji's private secretary Mr. Prasad disclosed to Star of Mysore on Tuesday that 15,000 devotees could be seated in the shamiana. The mantap has been constructed using palm leaves and wooden logs. Artisans with expertise in Mohappu art have been at work on the mantap for the past one month. The 50 artisans, led by Mr. Thirunavukkarasu at work on the mantapa with colourful root have come from Kumbakonam.
Mr. Gopalan, an advocate from Chennai, who has been sponsoring the shamiana for the past 12 years, has come forward to sponsor the erection of the mantap this year also. Being a deeply devoted disciple of the Ganapathi Seer, Mr. Gopalan sends the Mohappu artisans to Mysore one month in advance every year.
Construction of the huge Anna Pakshi made of paper pulp is being done in the shamiana itself. This gold coloured bird will itself be the chariot, in which the Swamiji will move from the Datta Venkateswara Temple to the Garuda Mantap along with the Uthsavamurthy.
A yaaga shaala has been almost fully made ready in front of the temple at a location near the mantap. Uttama Paksha Homa, a religious ritual will be conducted under the guidance of the Swamiji every day from June 15 to 23 between 9 am and 12 noon as well as 5 pm and 8 pm in this 37-unit yaaga shaala.
This ritual, performed by scholars, is for the world peace and prosperity.
As one enters the Ashram through its main gate and proceeds a little distance, one will notice a tall Gopura. This is a replica of the Gopura of Brihadeeshwara Temple of Tanjavur, according to Mr. Prasad. The Tanjavur temple's Gopura is the second tallest in the country.
The 80 ft. Gopuram will have the religious symbols, which are being prepared by the Mohappu artistes at the Garuda mantap.
Holistic hospital
A three-storeyed Holistic Hospital building is ready for inauguration during the celebration. Apart from Ayurvedic treatment, the hospital will also provide musical therapy, flower therapy etc.
Installation of equipments is in full swing. Dr. Swarna Prasad will be in-charge of the hospital.
Service projects
The Swamiji will launch several service and charity projects to mark his birthday. Two accident relief Ambulance vans are among them.
On the first day of the celebrations, newly-built Datta temple, prayer hall and smartha pathashala will be inaugurated.
Padapuja
Devotees are allowed to perform padapuja of the Swamiji at Nada Mantap daily (except June 19 and 21).
The cottage accommodation in the Ashram is restricted to donors only. The authorities have made arrangements for other devotees in choultries in several parts of the city. The devotees arriving from outside, are requested to directly proceed to the respective choultries and not to bring luggages to Ashram.
Those who want to attend the cultural programmes at Nada Mantap are requested to collect donors' passes from the Ashram office.
Homas
Homas will be performed daily at the newly-built yogashala from June 16 beginning with Laxmi Kubera Homa followed by Navagraha Homa (June 17, Rakshoghna Homa and Mayayaga (June 18), Nakshatra Homa (June 19 and 20), Ayushya and Mrutyunjaya Homa, Maha purnahuti (June 21), Sudarshana Homa (June 22) and Raja Rajeswari Homa (June 23).
The Swamiji will ascend the Audumbara throne on June 23 and felicitate scholars with titles like Asthan vidwan, Veda Nidhi and Shastra Nidhi.
Devotees may take part in Sri Chakra puja at Garuda Mantap at 8 am daily.
Hasta nakshatra
The Hasta Nakshatra Darshan at 4 am on June 19 is an important event of the celebrations. (Details may be had from the Ashram on phone 486486 and 480424).—MRS
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