Deepavali and Sri Swamiji’s jayanthi was celebrated at Houston Namadwaar on Friday October 20th 2017. Akhanda Mahamantra kirtan was performed through the day. In the evening, Sri Guru Paduka abhishekam was performed by Sri Ramaswamyji. Sriram Ramanujam ji did a wonderful sangeetha upanyasam on Guru Mahima, accompanied by a few Gopa Kuteeram children.
Chappan Bhog (56 prasad dishes for Sri Swamiji’s 56th jayanthi) was offered as neivedyam to the Lord. The dishes were all made by satsang devotees and parents of Gopa Kuteeram children.
After the pooja, everyone went outside and played with sparklers, before partaking of the 56 prasadam dishes. It was a joyous and fun evening for all.
Earlier, on Wednesday,October 18th 2017, Deepavali day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed at Namadwaar in the evening with diyas lit beautifully all around Namadwaar. Lakshmi Devi avatara slokas parayana was performed from Srimad Bhagavatam and kirtans on Lakshmi Devi were sung. Then Sri Ramaswamyji gave an impromptu upanyasam on the episode of Lakshmi Devi’s avatara and Lakshmi Kalyanam.
Devotees then played with sparklers.
On Sunday October 22nd 2017, Govinda pattabhishekam was performed for Sri Premika Varadan-Madhuri Sakhi to commemorate the 7 days after Diwali when Bhagavan held aloft the Govardhana mountain.
The Govardhana Leela chapters from Srimad Bhagavatam were read. Young Mukund Nair then spoke briefly but beautifully on this wondrous Leela of Bhagavan. Kirtans on Govinda were sung, and flowers were showered on the Lord as the name “Govinda” was chanted enthusiastically.
