Journey to India, part 4: Guru Pooja Celebration 2023 in Visakhapatnam
Part 4/5 This year was the 62nd Guru Pooja celebration. The tradition of celebrating a global Yoga Festival each year on 11th – 13th (or now, starting in the evening of 10th) was initiated by Master EK in 1962. Thereafter, it unfolded into a grand ritual with varied uplifting activities and participants from various parts of the globe and many parts of India. From 1984 on, when Master EK left his physical body, Master KPK continued to lead the celebrations.
I was much interested to see how the celebrations would be, now after the passing of Master KPK last November. This year was my 21st physical participation and twice, during corona times, digitally. It was always an incredible event – participants were served food and accommodations free of cost, all activities were offered with love and free of price tags.
On the altar, you can see pictures of many of the great Masters of Wisdom – a very synthetic event, where you can virtually perceive the subtle presence of the Great Ones. And since its activities, with the exception of “Fusion of East and West”, are normally in Telugu only, also the busy mind of us Westerners gets a better chance for calming down, not understanding the content by words but by observing and by tuning in.
Over many years, the Guru Pujas were conducted in Simhachalam near Visakhapatnam. Last summer already, Master KPK informed us that in 2023 this would no more be possible due to the hygienic situation there. They found a smaller but very beautiful site in Visakhapatnam, very close to Radhamadhavam- the WTT-temple – and the Retreat Center. And they had to find solutions for the many visitors coming from places outside Visakhapatnam. Sri Kumar said that the team is very experienced in organising the event but they have to adapt it to the new locality.
When we came to the compound in the afternoon of January 10th, I was thrilled to see how well this work was going on. It was less than an hour until the official start and many things needed to be finished. There was no haste but focused attention of the Indian helpers, and at 5 pm, with the start of the celebration, everything was ready.
The prayers were all conducted by Navaneetam ( Sri B.R.K. Raju), who has been the secretary of Sri Kumar for many years; he also coordinated the activities and gave a lecture. Many different members were integrated in the activities. The structure was familiar to all who regularly participate: Each day, there was a major ritual – on the first day a water ritual (Shiva Pooja), on the second day a fire ritual (Narayana homam) and on the third day the Sri Lalitha Sumuhika Pooja, the worship of the divine Mother aspect.
There were book presentations, lectures and musical presentations. There were small rituals for first feeding of children and introduction into writing, initiation into Gayatri mantram (Upanayanam). And of course, morning and evening prayer followed by lectures.
The whole area belongs to a huge event center, where there were also accommodations. At the same time, the site was fairly well protected from the outside traffic. There was a big dining hall for the Indian brothers and the group of Westerners had a spacious separate hall where non-spicy food was served. There were also several book stalls for wisdom books and tables for other offers like homoeo medicine. And the hall was beautifully decorated with huge posters, flower arrangements and little altars.
It was very nice to be together with other deeply spiritual people for 3 days and nights – and also have time for spontaneous sharing with other members. It was really a New Age festival, where joyfully the Yoga of Synthesis was lived. Thus, the Guru Poojas are a modern form of the ancient ritual of Satra Yaga. This spirit of group living has been kept vibrantly alive with this festival.
After the Guru Poojas, the members from the West started departing. A time for last exchanges and then to say good-bye. Hopefully at some future group living.
Go to part 1 part 2 part 3 part 5 of the series.
