The grand celebrations of Shri Hari Mandir Patotsav 2013

The 7th Patotsav anniversary of Shri Hari Mandir was celebrated at a grand scale at Sandipani Vidyaniketan from 16th to 24th February 2013, the highlight of which was a divine Ram Katha by Pujya Shri Morari Bapu.

The chief hosts of the katha were Shrimati Divyaben and Shri Arunbhai Lodhia of Tanzania. The Ram katha was telecasted live on Aastha channel.

After the Shobha Yatra, Pujya Shri Karshni Guru Sharananandji Maharaj, Pujya Deviprasad Bapu, Pujya Ganeshdasji Maharaj, Pujya Vasant Bavashri and many other saints kindled the auspicious lamp to inaugurate the Ram Katha. Pujya Bhaishri welcomed Pujya Bapu in his welcome speech and expressed his happiness with the event taking place. Maharajshri sang kirtan and created a wonderful atmosphere of divinity and enchantment in the pavilion.

The subject of the Katha chosen by Pujya Bapu was Manas Shri Hari Mandir. Pujya Bapu said that there are 11 types of temples, the combination of which makes Shri Hari Mandir. Pujya Bapu selected various types of temples and explained them in detail throughout the katha. These included the temples of: mind, forgiveness, faith and Har (Lord Shiv). He also explained how the seven chapters of Shri Ram Charit Manas symbolise seven types of temples.

Pujya Bapu said that it is much better and more important to forget one’s mistakes than to forgive one’s mistakes. He also said that an aspirant must have faith as faith is the first step to reach Shri Hari. However, we must be vigilant that this faith does not turn into blind faith. On the 6th day of the katha, Shri Ram janmotsav was celebrated with great joy and fanfare.

The katha was attended by thousands of devotees from India and all over the world including Shri Kokilaben Ambani and many saints including Shri Ramdevji. On the 4th day, the book, Prem Piyala, sponsored by Shrimati Indiraben and Shri Vinodbhai Sadhu, was inaugurated by Pujya Ramdevji and Pujya Morari Bapu.

On 17th February, the Patotsav abhishek of the deities of Shri Hari Mandir was performed. The utsav murtis were taken out of the inner sanctum of the temple and abhishek and worship was performed by several hosts whilst the Rishikumars chanted Vedic shlokas. Maharajshri and Pujya Bhaishri conducted abhishek of the main murtis in the presence of hundreds of devotees who gathered in the early hours of the morning. New clothes and ornaments were used to adorn the deities.

As per every year, on 23rd February, the Sandipani Gaurav Awards for 2012 took place at Sandipani. The Rajarshi award was presented to Shri Damjibhai Enkervala, the Brahmrishi award to Dr. Jayprakash Narayan Dwivediji and the Devarshiaward to Bhramlin Pujya Bhartimaiya of Ambika Niketan.

In addition various other activities took place such as the daily evening aarati in Shri Hari Mandir, continuous Hari naam sankirtan, recitation of Shri Ram Charit Manas and cultural programmes at night by various artists including a musical play by the girls of Arya Kanya Gurukul teaching the importance of Maa Ganga preserving the environment and the beauty of festivals in our culture. Various medical camps were also organised from 16th to 24th February, details of which are provided in a separate report. Accommodation was arranged for over 2000 people and food provided for tens of thousands of people.

On the final day, Pujya Bhaishri expressed his joy with tear-filled eyes in the success of this entire event. He bestowed his blessings on the hosts of the katha, all those involved in providing their service in various ways and the Rishikumars of Sandipani.