from 2 Jan to 8 Jan 2016
My Visit to Coimbatore
A MEMORABLE MAMMOTH CELEBRATION Sri Guru Puja The Ramakrishna Mission in Coimbatore is the largest educational setup of our Order, conducting 19 institutions within its sprawling 300 acre campus. It was founded by late Avinashilingam popularly and respectfully called “Ayya”.
Master’s birthday In order to familiarise the surrounding villagers about Sri Ramakrishna, he started the birthday celebration of Sri Ramakrishna at the campus inviting one and all. The first Sunday of the New Year is chosen for this occasion. It is estimated that this annual event attracts a hundred thousand people from far and near. About 65,000 people are fed sumptuously on that day called Anna danam.
Stream of People The Celebration beginning from early morning mangalarati to the last item of the programme at 9 PM has taken the form of a variety display of talents. There are innumerable items that attract people of different temperaments. A continuous stream of people can be seen gathering there and going back with the name of Sri Ramakrishna. The programmes are primarily educative and enlightening too.
My Visit to Coimbatore
Vidyalaya Sri Guru Puja 2016 2nd January I left Singapore by SilkAir flight at 8 20 pm on the 2nd January. I was a bit tired as the previous day i.e., on the 1st January, we celebrated the Twice blessed day of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’s janma tithi and also the p o p u l a r Kalpataru day both falling on the New Year Day. It was a comfortable flight reaching Coimbatore at n i g h t 1 0 3 0. Because I was flying eastwards I gained 2 and half hours!
3rd January Flag-hoisting The morning began with sweet music wafting in the air. At 5 pm exactly the mangalarati started. It was a solemn atmosphere where in the Hostel shrine along with the children so many monks and brahmacharins were present. Thereafter we all reached the big pandal where a makeshift shrine has been built for the Guru Puja occasion. The altar has been designed in a splendid manner with more intricate arrangement of pasted flower petals that looked stunning. Here the assembled sadhus chanted vedic hymns and suprabhatam and also a few bhajans. Just before 7 am, we all assembled on the grounds of Vidyalaya High School where flag-hoisting took place. Besides Swami Abhiramanandaji, the Adhyaksha of the 1
My Visit to Coimbatore
from 2 Jan to 8 Jan 2016 Institution, a host of monks and children were present. I was escorted to the flag post by the captain of the parade. Taking salute from the contingent, I unfurled the flag that showered flower-petals as the morning blessings.
Educational Exhibition After the breakfast, at 9 am we a gain assembled at another venue where the Exhibition was arranged. This is a cultural and educational exhibition. Dr. A M Moorthy, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai inaugurated the exhibition. We were taken around of all the 16 arangams where to our great delight different things made by the students and the community were displayed. Dr Moor thy encoura ged and appreciated the efforts put by students. In my speech I stressed on the inter-dependence of all living beings in this Universe as sine qua non of our existence. One of the Prize-distribution exhibits was so As part of the event, students who have excelled in every competition enchanting that attracted my were given away awards and prizes. Some successful students were attention. This was from other an art drawing institutions of done by one of Coimbatore also. It our students. It is was interesting to s t r a n g e l y n o t w i t n e s s a v i s u a l l y drawn on paper challenged b o y sheet or canvas getting three prizes but floating on on different events. w a t e r ! Th e a r t While the prize- depicts Swami d i s t r i b u t i o n w a s Sivananda, one of going on, Swami t h e 1 7 d i r e c t A b h i r a m a n a n d a j i disciples of Sri went away to Kalainilayam campus where noon meals as prasad was Ramakrishna. My Visit to Coimbatore
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cooked. He dedicated the cooked items to Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna. From 11 am to 3 pm thousands and thousands of village people thronged the venue and partook of the prasad gladly which was rightly termed as ‘Maheshwara puja’.
Cultural Programme From 11 30 am to 1 30 pm, a two-hour spiritual feast for the mind was served by the famous literary speaker Sri S K S Harihara Subramanyam. His musical discourse was indeed captivating. He explained the God’s divine qualities and in different avatars how He was all merciful to devotees. The much-awaited Cultural programme began after the spiritual discourse. The entire vast pandal w a s fil l e d w i t h people. The students of different schools of Vi d y a l a y a presented their show of talents. Dances, music and dramas were highly appreciated by the audience as repeated applause so widely done indicated. A special remark I should make here is about the drama enacted on the life of Nandanar. The acting by the children of various ages was superb no doubt. But the most appealing was the songs penned by one of our monks, Swami Harivratananda. There were certain scenes that just moved one’s heart. As the exciting drama ended with a highly emotional note, the audience needed a few songs of classical style to soothe the nerves and calm the mind. That was aptly provided by Smt. Vishnupriya Krishnakumar of Salem My Visit to Coimbatore
repute. She had come from USA for this occasion. Her soul-lifting singing approach indeed brought out a high level of devotion among the people. With her mellifluous voice, I thought she should have went on and on for more hours! I could feel that she is talented to sing pure ragas also. Her accompanying artistes gave good support. This was really a treat offered to Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna on His birthday function.
Public Meeting The effect of Vishnupriya’s singing was indeed quietening the mind. That was an appropriate moment to inculcate a few fresh ideas about Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna that can sink well in the minds of the audience with spiritual advantage. The audience seemed to be patiently sitting to hear in Tamil, the two speakers from outside Coimbatore – one, Sri K Shivakkumar of nearby Chennai and the other, myself from far away Singapore. 3
My Visit to Coimbatore
from 2 Jan to 8 Jan 2016 the last 43 years seemed to be a stupendous task.
Sri K Shivakkumar is an eminent speaker. He has become very popular for his active participation in what is called “Pattimandram” programmes. Patti-mandram has been a growing concept in Tamil Nadu where debating is done by two groups of three members each, for and against the given topic. His name has become a household name due to his frequent presence in many TV programmes. Indeed to speak in his presence, and that too in Tamil with which I had lost contact for
S w a m i Ab h i r a m a nandaji gave a welcome address for the Public Meeting. He so kindly introduced me and Shivakkumar in his inimitable style. I was asked to speak first and the topic was “Karunai Vallal Kamarpukur Magan” – The Kamarpukur son, a munificent of C o m p a s s i o n . S h i v a k k u m a r s p o ke o n “Vazhvikka Vandavar” – The Life Giver. The last part of the Function was Carnatic Music recital in Violin by Sri Ganesh and Sri Ku m a r e s h . The brothers duo rendered classical music in its pure form that was eminently relishable. With the closing arati to the Holy Trio by S w a m i Ta t p r a b h a nanda, the Guru Puja celebration came to a fulfilling end.
4th January Marudamalai Murugan temple The next morning was palpably relaxing as the hectic schedule of the yesterday was no more! But the joy of seeing a multitudinous crowd of devotees was still lingering on. I must mention here that since my landing at the Coimbatore campus there on the 2nd night, I had no chance of meeting 5 devotees who have flown from Bihar to see me especially. These devotees have
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from 2 Jan to 8 Jan 2016
My Visit to Coimbatore
done yeoman service for the cause of our Mission when I was in Ranchi Sanatorium. We had discussion on how we can increase our devotion to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Thakur. At about 4 pm we all, accompanied by Br. Shivakumar and Mahesh from Bangaluru travelled to Marudamalai, a beautiful hillock where Lord Murugan is worshipped in a rock temple. Maruda tree and the wind that sweeps the tree are said to possess medicinal properties and a visit is therefore considered beneficiary. A visit to an age-old place of pilgrimage cannot be missed while in India.
Visit to Ramakrishna Math While returning from Marudamalai, we entered Sri Ramakrishna Math situated at Gaundenpalayam, in the City of Coimbatore. Swami Bhaktikamanandaji, the Head of the said Math was all cordial. This math serves daily 60 children studying up to class 10 by providing them daily supper, notebooks, uniform etc. The children obviously come from poorer families; do not have proper facilities to study at their homes. Hence they come to Math and in the Study Shelter they gather and study. I had an Inter-active session with these students on various Hindu ideas. I found them responsive and seem to know much about those Hindu practices. Bhaktikamanandaji gave us a good supper.
5th January Telecasting ideas of Thakur and Swamiji I had already informed our Ooty ashrama that we would visit on 5th morning and stay there for one night and leave on 6th morning after breakfast. Unfortunately our Adhyaksha maharaj of Ooty ashram was not there but his assistant Maharaj Swami Satyavidanandaji was all kind when we reached there by 11 am after meandering through the serpentine road leading to Ooty. What a change in the weather! It was absolutely cold and the tap waters were just icy. After lunch we visited the tourist spots like the tallest peak Doddabetta and the sprawling Botanical Gardens. The air was healthy. By 6 pm I had appointment with Nakkubetta TV Centre. Sri Ramakrishnan, the Chief of TV introduced me to Sri Mahendran who interviewed me for the TV viewers in their Studios. The interview went on well with the public actively participating by asking questions to me and me, answering all in Tamil. The subject matters of My Visit to Coimbatore
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discussion were 1) My visit to different parts of the world, 2) the Kinds of service that we render as Ramakrishna Mission, 3) the Differences in our service to the public especially between the centres in India and Abroad, 4) Swamiji as the source behind our sincere seva, 5) Swamiji’s ideas for the present day youth, 6) how the modern busy generation can align to our tradition and spiritual culture. Sri Raghunathan of Tiruppur Jawuli Kadai fame was waiting at the Studios. He i s a n a l u m n i o f C h e n n a i Vivekananda College where I too passed out in 1969. Hence he wanted me to have supper at his home with all the accompanying devotees. I gladly agreed to visit his home. He had an energycharged Meditation Room where we all sat for a few minutes and I did a deeparati to Lord Shiva who is worshipped there in the form of a lingam. I heartily thanked him, his wife Surya and the other members for a sumptuous feast that was provided to us!
6th January Train, tea and hospitality! After due breakfast at the Ooty Ashram, we left for the Mariamman temple. The Divine mother of this temple was said to have ordered one washerman in his dream, to hand over a part of his plot of land to Swami Sivanandaji who on the earlier day was sitting there. From there we left for Coonoor by World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Toy train. Here in the compartment, a few Australian teachers were there who talked to me about “Mindfulness”. At Coonoor railway station our driver with the car was awaiting. We straight went to see Simps park and then on to Dolphin’s Nose peak. The travel was quite interesting as lots of monkeys on the way were squatting on the road. Sometimes they get on to the top of the cars and have a ‘free ride’ to their destinations! While returning from the Peak, we entered the Highlevel Tea Estate. The Manager of the Estate met us and told that his son has been a student in our Coimbatore Vidyalaya. The workers men and women were happy to see us and explained the entire process of tea making through certain machines. We were allowed to wander in the gardens too! Also free hot teas were served at their shop.
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My Visit to Coimbatore
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We then reached Namkem Hospital. This is a professionally run medical institution by Dr Chandrashekhar and his wife Dr Anasuya. Their son Dr Vivek has recently joined them. The doctor couple so lovingly received us and made us have a typical Coonoor lunch. At their request, I gave a Talk on the ‘Secret of Service’ in English to doctors, Nurses and other staff. It was interesting to meet two Hindu nuns at their home. They were from Sri Sarada Brahma Vidya Kendra, C o o n o o r. We r e t u r n e d t o Coimbatore Vidyalaya by supper time.
7th January Polytechnic and Perumal temple Swami Abhiramanandaji took me to the Polytechnic College within the Vidyalaya area and requested me to inaugurate an oncampus Course. It was a pleasant day; I met lot of trainees who evinced great interest in learning their respective trades. The tools were kept neatly arranged on a table. Lighting the lamp, I waved the lamp three times in front of our Holy Trio pictures. The altar seemed to be specially made for t h a t o c c a s i o n . T h e Mo n kincharge of the Polytechnic, Swami Anapekshananda along with the Principal and other teaching staff took us around the entire campus. The Library was worth visiting as I found it fully automated by computers. After lunch and rest, we all left for Karamadai Sri Vishnu Temple. This temple is famous for the ‘face only’ Sri Ranganatha Perumal, unlike other Ranganatha deities who are always found to be in reclining pose My Visit to Coimbatore
on Adisesha nag. The sthala puranam says that an ant hill had grown under a Karai Tree. A few villagers spotted a cow spending some time every day over the ant hill. They
found to their surprise that milk from the cow was being showered automatically without any milker! Then they found the Ranganatha murti and built a temple. It is quite spacious. Since there was no crowd, the pujari showed everything leisurely and 7
from 2 Jan to 8 Jan 2016
My Visit to Coimbatore gave the prasadi Tulasi garland. The darshan of the deity along with Andal and Ma h a l a k s h m i w a s spiritually elevating. Notably the temple was spic and span. It was so silent that we sat for meditation for s o m e t i m e . We returned to Vidyalaya by supper time.
8th January
fig u r e f o r t h e m . Nearly 40 students listened to me keenly. I s p o ke t o t h e m about the necessity of worshipping Mother Saraswathi; how Swamiji became victorious at the Pa r l i a m e n t of Re l i g i o n s by remembering Mother Saraswathi; made them repeat the relevant mantras in Sanskrit and Tamil; gave them The Guru Puja Celebration was an idea about how the divine indeed mammoth and really grace works. Surprisingly, the memorable for me. From my younger days I have been boys collectively had organised hearing about this wonderful a greetings Card for me and celebration but has never seen it so long. I thank heartily Swami presented to my great delight.
I reserved the day time for meeting the devotees who came from outside Coimbatore. After an interval of 5 days, I could access my Abhiramanandaji for his kind e m a i l s a n d te l e - m e s s a g e s Invite that made my visit to After due supper, two monks Coimbatore possible this time. through O ffic e Wi fi Thanks also to all the monks a n d t w o b r a h m a c h a r i n s , brahmacharins who took c o n n e c t i o n . I m e t a f e w and besides the Bihar devotees, care of me and attended to my Swamis and chatted about n e e d s a b l y d u r i n g m y t r a v e l l e d w i t h m e to t h e five-day stay at the various issues of our activities memorable Coimbatore Airport to see me spacious Sarada Illam there. of dierent centres. Swami off at 8 30 pm. Sri Ananta Tatprabhanandaji, the Monk In K r i s h n a n , t h e Cu s to m s In charge of the Vidyalaya High School charge was there to take me inside the requested me to speak a few words to the airport. He belongs to Samskrita Bharati 10th Class students at 5 30 pm. I readily and a pioneer in community teaching of the agreed. spoken Sanskrit. So waiting at the VIP As my room was situated nearby the School, during my going out and coming in times, the children would always surround me and would ask so many queries about Singapore. In those 5 days, I was a familiar My Visit to Coimbatore
Room, we had good discussion about Sanskrit and its per vasive aspect in every language in an immersive way. At 11 50 pm, the same SilkAir fli g h t departed and brought me back to Singapore at 6 am the next day.   8
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