Mysuru: The 8-day long Vajrothsava to mark the 75th birthday celebrations of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji began at Avadhoota Datta Peetham on Ooty Road in city this morning.

The diamond jubilee celebrations will formally be inaugurated by Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at 6 pm today in the presence of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Karnataka Ministers Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, R.V. Deshpande and Tanveer Sait, Seers of JSS Mutt Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Sri Sugunendratheerta Swamiji of Puttige Mutt, Udupi, Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt and Junior Pontiff of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama Datta Vijayananda Theertha Swamiji and others will grace the occasion.

Devotees from across the country are making a beeline to the Ashrama to take part in the celebrations. They have arrived from Dakshina Kannada, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and a few States from North India. Hundreds of devotees have also arrived from foreign nations.

 

Rituals including Shatharudra Yaga, Ganapathi Homa, Mruthyunjaya Homa, Navagraha Homa, Srichakra Homa and other Homas were performed this morning.

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji arrived at the Venkateshwara Temple at 10 am and performed pujas before he flagged off the Rudrakshi Rathotsava that proceeded from the temple till the Nadamantapa.

The grand procession was accompanied by cultural troupes from across the State. Artistes performed Nandi Dhwaja, Huli Vesha, and Goravarvara Kunitha. Among the performances, the ones that attracted huge applause from the onlookers were Dollu Kunitha by Malai Mahadeshwara Kala Thanda from Chamarajanagar, Karavali Yakshagana by Vamshika Arts, Mangaluru, and Bombe Kunitha by Durgaparameshwari Kala Thanda from Sagara in                           Shivamogga.

As part of the celebrations, ‘Vajrajyothi’ run from Mekedatu, the birthplace of Swamiji, was received at 7 am at the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple and the Jyothi proceeded towards the Ashrama. The ‘Vajrajyothi’ began at Mekedatu on May 18 and covered a distance of 230 kilometres and over 33 people participated.

The sprawling Ashrama has been decked up for the celebrations and has been decorated with arches by artistes from Chennai and the entire campus has been illuminated with colourful lights. The Ashrama management has made elaborate arrangements for the stay of guests and devotees will be served with varieties of dishes with sweets in the festive lunch and dinner.

The Ashrama is expecting thousands of devotees from 78 countries and across India in the next seven days of the celebrations. Accommodation for devotees has been arranged at the Ashrama and five Kalyana Mantapas in city.

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will feature 75 eminent personalities from various fields such as music, social service, journalism and others being honoured with various awards. Officials from Guinness Book of World Records will present the certificate to Swamiji for creating the world’s Biggest Bonsai Collection during the International Bonsai Conference held last year.

The eight-day event will also feature cultural programmes by eminent musicians from across the world. Stalwarts such as Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Karnatak Violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam, Flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar and artistes of Royal Danish Ballet from Denmark will perform.