Ram Katha flows to Phoenix, USA
Pujya Bhaishri returned to sunny Phoenix, Arizona after five years for the holy narration of Shri Ram Katha (in Hindi) — Pujya Bhaishri did indeed fulfill the wishes of the Phoenix community. The Shri Ram Katha was held for a span of nine days from June 30th-July 8th, 2007 in Mesa, Arizona, which is a suburb on the eastern side of Phoenix. The organizer of the Katha was the “Bharatiya Ekta Mandir of Arizona” – the Mandir is currently under construction and is expected to be completed during the autumn of 2007.
Pujya Bhaishri did a magnificent rendition of the ‘Shri Ram Charit Manas’ — among the major highlights and Utsavs were “Shri Ram Janma”, “Shri Ram Vivah” and on the concluding day of the Katha, “Shri Ram Rajya-Abhishek”, when Lord Rama completed his 14-year ‘exile’ and returned to the kingdom. Various youth volunteered to play the roles during the Utsavs — they were dressed up magnificently “to look the parts” and the performances were outstanding – Pujya Bhaishri sang lovely sankirtans to embellish the Utsavs!
Pujya Swami Chidananand Saraswatiji (“Pujya Muniji”) attended the Phoenix Katha for two days and on the morning of July 4th, Pujya Bhaishri and Pujya Muniji attended the “Pran-Pratishtha” and brick-laying ceremony of the “Bharatiya Ekta Mandir”. On July 4, the temperatures in Phoenix were extremely hot [115 degrees Fahrenheit/47 degrees Celsius] — true “Arizona heat” indeed! However, despite the intense temperatures, the function went well and Pujya Bhaishri and Pujya Muniji blessed the foundation ceremony of the Mandir.
On Saturday, July 7th, Pujya Bhaishri conducted a 1 ½ hour “youth session” and addressed “Jigyasas” [questions] from the youth — Pujya Bhaishri provided his responses and explanations in English! Although Pujya Bhaishri is accustomed to speaking in Gujarati/Hindi, he articulated himself extremely well and the youth appreciated his guidance and explanations tremendously.
Sunday, July 8th was the last day of the Phoenix Katha — Pujya Bhaishri conducted a 4 ½ hour session to conclude the event – and as mentioned earlier, “Shri Ram Rajya-Abhishek” was the crowning finale. As the session drew to a close, tears flowed as it “really hit home” that Pujya Bhaishri’s USA-based events were rapidly drawing to a close. Many devotees had followed Pujya Bhaishri throughout all of his events in Dallas, New Jersey and now Phoenix — and it was hard to believe that nearly five weeks had just gone by in the “twinkling of an eye”! Pujya Bhaishri’s presence made an everlasting impact on all who attended his events and the sweet memories and remembrances of the events will continue to glow in the hearts of the devotees, although Pujya Bhaishri moved forward and left the shores of the USA to travel to London, England to conduct another “Shri Ram Katha”.
The volunteer teams of Phoenix made commendable strides and efforts to bring this special event to their city – they worked tirelessly, intensely and they were truly dedicated to making the Katha an event to be cherished and remembered.