Mysuru: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had a miraculous escape yesterday when the helicopter he was travelling in crash-landed at Latur, arrived at Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama in city at 10.15 am today to participate in the 75th birthday celebrations of the Swamiji.
Praising the Swamiji for his many splendoured achievements, after visiting the various attractions in the Ashrama, Fadnavis said, “I am Swamiji’s beloved son. The moment I entered the Ashrama, I felt I belong here. Swamiji, through his art and culture, is preaching spirituality. He is propagating human values through his music.”
“The Datta Peetha is doing yeoman service and the Swamiji is transforming society through the message of eradication of caste discrimination and treating everyone as equal,” the CM said and added, “I am deeply influenced by his work. I will keep coming back and also would like to participate when he celebrates his 100th birthday.”
Within five minutes of his helicopter crash landing, Fadnavis’ personal assistant had called the Ashrama and informed the authorities that the Chief Minister would be attending the birthday celebrations.
The Swamiji, replying to the felicitation said, “Truth, Dharma and Peace is the fundamental foundation on which rests Indian society. The Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis has spoken from the heart. The call to remove discrimination from the minds of the people is nothing new. Whether it is Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Vedas, Upanishads, all preach that all human beings are one and the whole mankind is the same.”
“Every day is my birthday. My parrot greets me every day, ‘Happy birthday Appaji’,” Sri Swamiji said.
In the morning, the major attraction at the Nada Mantapa before the arrival of Maharashtra Chief Minister was placing a diamond-studded crown on the head of the Swamiji to mark the completion of 75 years of his fruitful life. Chief Priest of Tirupati temple A.V. Ramana Dikshit offered prasadam from the temple to the Swamiji.
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam also offered prasadam from the Mutt. A devotee from Sakleshpur donated 75 kg laddu.
Earlier, Fadnavis released four DVDs containing 75 bhajans sung by renowned musicians and also Guru Geetha picture book.
The Swamiji presented a photo of Plague Maramma temple that was built by the Ashrama in Pulakeshi Nagar to Pourakarmika leader and former Mayor Narayana. It is the 11th temple that the Ashrama has built.
Chief Justice of Mumbai High Court Manjula Chellur, MP Pratap Simha, former Minister S.A. Ramdas and others were present on the occasion.
In the afternoon at 3 today, the Bhagavad Gita Rathotsava will be taken out as a tribute to the Swamiji from the Ashrama’s Universal Prayer Hall and culminate at Nada Mantapa.
This will be followed by presenting of New Guinness World Records to the Swamiji.
Appaji is the greatest. He saved me and my two children from drowning. Forever grateful.
Swami sachidanandaji has built a lovely ashram. He has made this ashram his primary abode though he has worldwide fame, name, devotees of all races, religions. He loves mysuru and he continues to spread the message of love, kindness and his contribution to the society at large is immense whether it is education, ayurveda, music, the many variety of plants he grows and maintains in the property. He is now 75 years and celebrating his diamond jubilee and we wish him many more happy birthdays and wish him much success in his endeavours to help mysuru grow as a spiritual sojourn and keep it’s urban trappings open to residents and visitors of mysuru. We wish you good success and fulfilment in enriching this culturally rich society with your values and commitment to change age old beliefs of superstition, discrimination, break barriers of caste, gender,age in society. Appreciate your efforts to expand your vision to keep criticism aside and work for everybody purely from a humanitarian view and keeping moving forward as only great leaders can do today. Jai Hind.