Shri Hari Mandir Patotsav 2009
Grand celebrations were held from 29th January 2009 to 2nd February 2009 at Shri Hari Mandir based within the Sandipani campus to celebrate the third anniversary of Shri Hari Mandir. Along with Somnath and Dwarka, Shri Hari Mandir has become an important part of pilgrimage for devotees.
During this five day festival, all the deities including Shri Lakshmi Narayan, Shri Ram Parivar, Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Amba Maa, Shri Ganeshji, Shri Shiv Parivar and Shri Hanumanji were worshipped with scriptural rituals. The hosts of this event were the families of Shri Tusharbhai Jani from Mumbai, Shri Bajranglal Taparia from Mumbai, Shri Ramnikbhai Patel from Mumbai, Shri Ajay Periwal from Delhi, Shri Jayantibhai Pandya from Ahmedabad, Shri Ashokbhai Mehta from New Jersey and Shri Prabhat Jawar from Kolkata.
A Rudra Yagya was also performed on all the five days from 9am to 1pm in the yagya shaala. All sponsors joined in to perform the Rudra-abhishek.
In the afternoons, the famous scholar and philosopher Shri Haribhai Kothari provided a divine insight into the complexities of human life through his enlightening lectures on Jeevan Darshan (Philosophy of life).
On 30th January, Pujya Bhaishri offered a garland made from the spun cotton to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. An array of dignitaries and special guests attended this solemn function organised in honour of the father of the nation.
On 1st February 2009, the Sandipani Gaurav Awards 2008 were held at 3pm. The Governor of Gujarat, H.E. Shri Navalkishor Sharma graced this occasion. Three eminent personalities were honoured with the awards of Devarshi, Bhramarshi and Rajarshi for their outstanding contributions to the society in philosophy, scriptural studies and industry.
Various cultural programmes were held in the evenings including: a musical programme by Sanket Modi and his group, bhajans by Shri Niranjan Pandya and the students of Sandipani Rishikul and Gurukul, programmes by Nainesh Jani, Kalyami Kotharkar, Hasmukh Patadia and the group of Divyang Anjaria. Ladies from the Taparia family and Vaishvik Sanskruti Parivar also sang divine devotional songs.
In addition to the above events, a new website for Sandipani was launched by the Governor of Gujarat.
In accordance with Pujya Bhaishri’s vision of combining service to people with spiritual and religious activities, six different types of medical camps were organised during this festival. The Dental camp was the highlight as it not only provided its service to the people of Porbandar, but also included people from the surrounding towns and villages.
A galaxy of renowned saints graced these 5 day celebrations with their presence. These saints were: Mahant Pujya Dev Prasadji Maharaj of Anandbawa Seva Sanstha of Jamnagar, Vaishnavacharya Pujya Vasantkumar Mahodaya of Porbandar, Bharatibapu of Junagadh, Shernath Bapu – monk of Pujya Muktanand Bapu’s institute at Brahmarshidham and Shri Bhagavat Rishi of Sola Bhagavat Vidyapeeth.
Shrimati Kokilaben Ambani also graced the occasion with her presence.
