G A Trust
With the ever-flowing grace of our Gurumaharaj, Gokulashtami
and Guruji Mahapooja festivals were celebrated at Thennangur with
the usual spiritual fervor and devotion in the immediate divine presence of Sri
Namaji between 9th & 19th August. Here is a
short account on the various events forming part of the celebrations.
Bhagavatha Sapthaham:
Bhagavatha
Sapthaham commenced on the 10th
with formal Poorvangam on the 9th
evening and concluded on the 16th. Brihmasri
Kesava Dikshithar, well known exponent of religious discourses gave one of
his typically inspiring perfomance. The Sapthaham day starts at 6 AM with two
sessions of Bhagawatha Parayanam in the forenoo n and resumes in the afternoon with two sessions of discourse.
At Thennangur, the events of the day come to a concluision with Bhajan and
Dolotsavam led by Sri Namaji. All the sessions were well attended by about a
hundred enrolled devotees.
Gokulashtami and Nandotsavam:
Gokuluashtami eve has always been very special at Thennangur and this year was no exception. Devotees began to congregate at Thennangur from 4.00 pm onwards on the 13th. The Bhajan led by Sri Namaji commenced at 8.30 pm at the Namasankeerthan Mandapam and the Bhajan party moved over to Panduranga Temple around 11.30 pm where Darshan of Lord Krishna was greeted at his birth time viz. midnight amidst chanting of Krishna Nama. The Bhajan concluded at Srimatam l ater. This year, the assembled devotees who usually are drenched in the Namasankirthan were also drenched in a sudden downpour as the skies chose to open up. Nandotsavam was celebrated on the morning of 17th. The highlights of this event apart from the procession of Lord Panduranga around the temple are Splash of colours and Uriyadi which witnessed enthusiastic participation from on e and all.
Mahapooja:
he celebrations of Mahapooja commenced in the after noon of the
17th with Sampradaya Nama Sankirthan by Bhagavatha Sammelana
Samajam, led by Namaji. The Bhajan sessions were well attended. Several well
known Bhagavathas like Bhagavathasris Villupuram Jayatheertha Bhagavathar,
Kadayanallur Rajagopal Bhaga vathar, Delhi Subbarama Bhaga vathar, A.K.
Rajasimha Bhagavathar, Sethalapathi Soundararaja Bhaga vathar, Viji and Balaji
Bhagavathars, Kovai Jayaraman Bhagavathar, Smt Pushpa Anand, kids of the
Gnanananda Bala Vihar from Abu Dhabi and exponents of Harikatha along with 
members of our Mandalis kept the dais occupied without a break
as conceived and wished by our Guruji. There were Divyanamam and Dolotsavam
sessions on the nights of 17th
and 18th. Similarly, Prabha t pheri was
conducted on the mornings of 18th
and 19th.
Sahasra Kalasabishekam to the Guru Padukas and Gurunathar Idols at Srimatam and Srividhya Homams were the important ev ents of the morning session on the 18th.
In the evening Pradosham was celebrated at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple with its usual grandeur. The Mahapooja on the 19th was conducted in the holy presence of Sri Namaji with utmost devotion conforming to Vedic procedures and to the singing of Guru Keerthanas by the assemble Bhagavathas and Devotees.
After the Theertha Narayana Pooja and Anjaneya
Uthsavam which marks the conclusion of MahaPooja, Namaji gave a soul
stirring speech on
the Grace of Gurunathar and Guruji, whose blessings continue to flow and give
us the strength, both ph ysical
and spiritual, enabling us to dedicate ourselves in their service. Fortunate 
and blessed were those who were present at the Srimatam. What
more, Sri Namaji assured that those who could not attend the function also were
equally blessed if they spare a moment for our great Gurus and surrender u nto them.
At the Panduranga temple, this year the Lord was decorated to depict the Kalinga Narthanam, Vennai Thazhi Krishnan for the first time - an amazing and splendid sight. As usual Pandurangan and Rukumayee were decked in Chandana Kaappu on the Mahapooja day. The usual Annadhanam and Vasthradhanam were the other highlights of the celebrations.
We take this opportunity to thank all the Bhagavathas and Devotees who participated in the functions with dedication and pray to our Guru Maharaj to shower His blessings on one and all.
Radhe Krishna