Srimad Ramayana Navaham and Maha Samrajya Pattabhishekam at Chitrakoot Kshetra

Day 1:

In the Divine Presence of Sri Swamiji, Srimad Ramayana Navaham commenced at Chitrakoot Paavan Dhaam on 20th September 2023.

Around 400 devotees performed Parayanam of Bala Kandam led by Sri Swamiji. The parayanam was a blissful experience as it was interspersed with Sri Swamiji’s divine pravachan in various instances. Sri Rama Jananam and Sri Seetha Rama vivaham were celebrated grandly with kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam. Sri Swamiji bestowed a bhaav poorvak lecture on Chitrakoot Kshetra mahatmyam and the great saint Sri Tulsidas.

Raghava Shatakam kirtans were sung in the evening by satsang mahilas led by Sri Vishnupriyaji. This was followed by Katha by Brahmasri Kapila Vasudeva Sharma on Rama Jananam.

Day 2:
On Day 2 of Srimad Ramayana Navaham, Sri Swamiji bestowed a discourse on the countless virtues of Sri Rama. He also narrated the greatness of Chitrakoot Dhaam as exalted by Sage Valmiki and Sant Tulsidas. He soulfully expounded on the love that Dasharatha, Kausalya, Sita Devi and Sri Lakshmana had for Sri Rama. Parayanam of Ayodhya Kand (upto the 56th chapter) of Srimad Ramayanam was led by Sri Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji spoke about the history of Sri Sati Anusuiya Ashram at Chitrakoot, talking about the great pativrata Anusuiya and the significance of the place in Srimad Ramayan. Sri Swamiji mentioned about the peak near the ashram, from which Sri Lakshmana noticed the arrival of Sri Bharata to Chitrakoot and informed Rama.

As ordained by Sri Swamiji, all bhaktas visited the absolutely blissful ashram perched on a hillock, embraced by the Mandakini River.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Sri Srivaths discoursed on Bala Leelas of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Rama and Lakshmana accompanying Sage Vishwamitra for Yajna Samrakshan, Ahalya Shaap Vimochan and Sri SitaRama Vivaah.

Day 3:
On Day 3, Sri Swamiji led the parayanam from the 57th chapter to the end of Ayodhya Kand.

Sri Swamiji, movingly narrated Bharata’s anguish and pangs of separation from Sri Rama, and Sri Rama’s agony on being informed of His beloved father’s demise. He later expounded on how Bharata pleaded with Lord Rama to return to Ayodhya, seeking solace in the Feet of Sri Rama whom he revered as his Guru. Sri Rama, bestowed His Padukas to Bharata, which Bharata reverentially accepted and coronated Sri Padukas as the supreme ruler of Ayodhya.

Sri Swamiji blissfully described the beautiful bond of love and trust between Sri Rama and Bharatha.

Following this, a grand procession took place, as Sri Swamiji strode majestically holding beloved Sadguru’s Padukas reverently on his head, in the splendidly decorated venue, amidst hundreds of ecstatic bhaktas showering flowers and singing in praise of Sri Padukas.

Thirumanjanam was performed to Holy Padukas and they alighted and adorned an exquisitely decorated mantap.

Following this, as ordained by Sri Swamiji, all the bhaktas visited Bharat Milap Temple and worshipped the sacred spot where Sri Bharatha met Sri Rama and received Sri Padukas. Close to this temple, a picturesque hillock Lakshman Pahadi is situated. This tranquil place is said to be the spot where Sri Lakshmana rested during the exile in the forest. Devotees had darshan of Sri Lakhanlal here.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Kanya Sisters – Kum Shri Kanya and Kum Shiv Kanya discoursed on Kausalya Mangalasasanam.

All devotees who were part of this glorious Paduka Pattabhishekam utsav are sure to cherish this for a lifetime.

Day 4:
On Day 4, parayanam of Aranya Kand took place.

Following this, as ordained by Sri Swamiji, all the bhaktas visited Bharat Koop. This sacred well is where Bharat, with devotion, invoked all the holy theerthas before meeting Sri Rama. Bharat held the hope that Sri Rama would agree to return, and he could conduct coronation of Sri Rama with theertham from this well.

Next, the devotees proceeded to worship Ram shayya Sthal – a huge rock which has the imprints of Lord Sri Rama in resting posture.

Following this, a visit to Ramghat was the most cherished conclusion to the day. Ramghat is the exact spot where Sant Tulsidas was graced with the darshan of Lord Rama and Sri Lakshmana who appeared as two small boys. The recognition that it was the Lord Himself who had arrived, was indicated to Sant Tulsidas by Hanuman ji who appeared with a parrot-like face. Bhagavan applied tilak with the Gopi chandan paste that Sant Tulsidas had devotedly prepared. A sannidhi for Tulsidas and Sri Totamukhi Hanuman is situated here. The evening concluded blissfully with the most awaited, dazzling Mandakini Aarti.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Sri Harihara Subramanian discoursed on Paduka Pattabhishekam.

Day 5:
On Day 5, parayanam of Kishkindha Kand took place in the Divine Presence of Sri Swamiji

Following this, as ordained by Sri Swamiji, all the bhaktas visited the most picturesque Hanuman Dhaara – the hill where Hanumanji resided while he suffered from pangs of separation from Sri Rama, reminiscing His Grace. The teertha here, called Hanuman Dhara are the tears shed by Hanumanji as he recounted the compassion of Bhagavan. The water tastes as sweet as honey.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Brahmasri Sridhar Ghanapatigal discoursed on Jatayu Moksham.

Day 6:
On Day 6, Sri Swamiji led parayanam of Sundara Kandam. Satsang began with singing of Sant Tulsidas’s Hanuman Chalisa and Sri Sri Anna’s Vayunandanastavam.

Sri Swamiji fondly shared the glory of Hanumanji with devotees. He emphatically declared that Hanumanji is the greatest sevak, as all that he lived and breathed is Rama Kainkarya, and knew no rest.

As it was also Acharya Swami Desikan’s thirunakshatram, Brahmasri Srinivasa Sharma discoursed on the divine charitra of the great Mahatma.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Sri Gadadharan discoursed on Sugriva Pattabhishekam.

Day 7:
On Day 7, Sri Swamiji led parayanam of Yuddha Kandam upto 59th chapter.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Sri Namdev discoursed on Sundara Kandam.

Day 8:
On Day 8, Sri Swamiji led parayanam of Yuddha upto 118th chapter.

Satsang’s mahila mandali led by Sri Vishnupriyaji sang kirtans from Sri Sri Anna’s Raghava Shatakam.

In the evening, Sri Sanath discoursed on Vibheeshan Sharanagati.

Day 9:
On Day 9, Sri Swamiji led parayanam of Yuddha Kaandam of Srimad Ramayanam upto the coronation of Bhagavan Sri Rama. Amidst a hall full of bhaktas roaring Raja Ramchandramurthi ki Jai, the pattabhishekam of Sri RajaRam was conducted. An elephant was waiting at the door for Ram Parivar to alight, and hundreds of bhaktas led by Sri Swamiji sang in praise of Bhagavan Sri Ram through the streets of Sri Chitrakoot Paavan Dhaam.
Thirumanjanam was performed to Ram Parivar as Bhagavatas sang in unison. Bhagavan, accompanied by Sri Swamiji, walked down the ghats of Chitrakoot and had a holy dip in sacred Mandakini, and were showered by punya teertha from the Kalashas of the grand Navaham. As bhaktas beheld this most fortunate darshan with tears of joy in their eyes, they raised Jai goshas, ‘Raja Ram ki Jai, Sitaram ki Jai, Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jai, Bharat Mata ki Jai’, which reverberated across the hills and ghats of Chitrakoot.

The grand Navaham came to a poorthi, with Bhagavan being welcomed back into Sri Sridhar Dhaam. Bhaktas partook teertham and departed, longing for the next blissful satsang with Sri Swamji.

Jai Siya Ram!
Jai Hanuman!
Jai Chitrakoot Dhaam!
Jai Sadguru!