Mahamantra sankirtan was performed for 24 hours continuously from December 31st noon 2014 to Jan 1st noon 2015 at Houston Namadwaar, to celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi on Dec 31 and to welcome the New Year 2015.
Many people joined in on New Year’s eve and chanted through midnight. Towards midnight, lamps were lit around the Lord and the lights were turned off, which gave a divine ambience to the chanting. At 12 midnight, HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s special blessing message was read out:
“Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji sends his blessings to all those who chanted even once in the divine abode of Namadwaar. Sri Swamiji prays that Krishna blesses all of you with long life, prosperity, happiness and great health this year also. Krishna blesses you all.”
Following this, all the families present lit a special prayer lamp. Special lamps were also lit on behalf of all of Namadwaar’s supporters and donors who have come forward to support the new construction project.
Mahamantra sankirtan then continued through the night. For those who were able to chant through the night, it was a truly exhilarating experience.
The next morning – New Year’s Day – began auspiciously with the live telecast of Sri Swamiji’s annual Jan 1st Mahamantra Mass Prayer event from India. The webcasted event was screened inside Namadwaar and many devotees listened with joy to the extremely inspiring words of Sri Swamiji and joined in the jubilant Mahamantra chanting of thousands of people attending the mass prayer live as well as thousands more who watched online across the world.
The 24-hour Mahamantra sankirtan was concluded at 12 noon with singing of Sri Swamiji’s “Kaliyaiyum bali kollum..” Mahamantra song. Following this, all the devotees present were so inspired that many spontaneous bhajans and prayer kirtans were sung before harathi was finally performed to conclude the event. The continuous chanting truly gave everyone a joyful, peaceful and auspicious start to the new year! About 40 people attended the event.
