South India Pilgrimage: Day 4 continued - Who are the Saints from the Pilgrimage?

 Sri Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal (1853–1924) was a Hindu sage and social reformer. His work influenced the formation of many social, religious, literary and political organisations and movements in Kerala. Chattampi Swamikal denounced the orthodox interpretation of Hindu texts citing sources from the Vedas. Swamikal along with his contemporary, Nārāyana Guru, strived to reform the heavily ritualistic and caste-ridden Hindu society of the late 19th century Kerala. After completing his studies under Subba Jatapadikal he spent long periods of learning under a Christian priest. In a secluded church in Southern Tamil Nadu assisting the priest he learned Christian meditation and learned Christian Religion and philosophy. Later he lived with an old Muslim well versed in Koran and Sufi mysticism who taught him the main tenet of Islam. Kunjan acquired proficiency reading Koran in the traditional way. Leaving him he wandered for months with many Avadutas in Southern Tamil Nadu and also travelled all over India. During this time is when he learned about the unity of all religions.

Samadh Swamikal settled down at Panmana, a village in Kollam district, towards the end of his life. He attained Mahasamadhi which is a voluntary and controlled exit from the body on 5 May 1924 as per the memoirs of witnesses quoted in his earliest biography; after a short illness during which he objected to taking any medicine He was buried at his Samadhistanam at Panmana. This site is today called Panmana Ashramam and is a centre for social service and spiritual practices

Find out more at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattampi_Swamikal

Prabhakara Siddha Yogi was born in Akavoor Mana, as the son of Sri Iravi Narayanan Namboothiri. He was said to be the re-incarnation of Pulinayaka Swamiyar. According to mythology Pulinayaka Swamiyar had migrated to Kailas with Lord Ayyapa. 1986, exactly on the fall of his birth star Pururuttathy, Bhaghavan attained Mahasamadhi. According to scriptures if one is born on the earth he must obtain samadhi on earth itself. Bhagvan took birth in Akavoor Mana in 1263 for this very purpose. When he was nine years old Lord Shiva, disguised as a Goswami came to Akavoor Mana and took Prabhakara to a cave in the Himalayas. Prabhakara was taught hatha yoga, pranayama and more yogic exercises.  It is said that, afterwards, Goswami merged into Prabhakara, he applied the lessons he learned into his life. He adopted this human form and lived on this earth for 723 years. 

South India Pilgrimage: Day 4 by Swamini Kishori

Taking leave from three wonderful days at the Ayurveda centre Oceano Cliff in Varkala we drove by bus to the Panmana Ashraman, where the Samadhi site of the Saint Sri Chattampy Swamikal is located.

Sri Chattamoy Swamikal: "A fighter for in Kerala and for the Malayalam

language."-Swami Vishwananda

For me, this place radiated an atmosphere of great tranquillity and simplicity and the presence of the Saint, who in 1924 went into Mahasamadhi, this was very much perceptible for me. Here we were greeted affectionately and lovingly and then guided to the Samadhi site of the Saint.

             

Afterwards we were welcomed by the aged 82 years old Swami, the superior of this ashram. As always in such situations I was touched by the simplicity, the deep love and dedication in which our Guru gave respect to this swami. After this very tenderly welcoming we all went to a photo session and according to the tradition gifts were exchanged. Our Swamiji received a picture of Sri Chattampy Swamikal, which will enrich out temple in SPN.

Thereafter we were invited to a delicious ayurvedic meal and the aged swami of this ashram recited from the Vedas which lead me to a deep experience of love.

From this holy place we went on to visit the place where the great Siddha Purusha Yogi Sri Parbhakara spent the last years of his live and after 723 years went into Mahasamadhi. During his life, he was incarnated into 17 different bodies.

I cannot describe in words the experience that I was allowed make here and when I could enter into the modest house and step into his room in which was his altar, all his holy utensils, murtis and pictures, I could not hold back my tears and a deep thankfulness came up, that this grace was given to me to be at this holy place together with our Guruji.

After these deep impressions we visited also the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, a Krishna temple where we were allowed to have a darshan after the arati.
-Swamini Kishori

South India Pilgrimage: Day 3 - On a Golden Island.

Once upon a time, on a journey away from the hustle and bustle of daily Indian life, away from the clamour and musky smell of burning coal that reaches out of a tiny one bed, kitchen and living room dwelling - we were transported away.

Our chariots were the "Tuk Tuks" - small motorbikes with a back seated area for two people. We seated three people which was below the unofficial Indian option of five ( two seats are for hanging off each side).

Tuk Tuk

   by  eyesore9 

These bikes and their drivers dare to be reincarnated as cars, so they whizz and hoot as best they can and around as many hairpin bends as possible.
Out of the town we went, we drove through the roads as if we were in a jungle. We passed alongside a river where people on one side of the road had scraped out of existence, while on the other side of the road were spacious suburban homes with their elegant Indian styles.

Our disembarking point was created by someone who had blocked the road with a pile of sand; our vehicles could go no further. You've got to love India! A short walk transported us to where the small wooden boats awaited to take us over the lake to the Golden Island. Around us was pure greenery, like a Thailand island or some serene mangrove forest setting. Nature can bring an instant peace that is sublime in its serenity.

 by  J.Marshall 

The usual drama of, "Do we wait for Swami? Or is it better he waits for us?" ensued for a while. It had its entertainment, as it created the atmosphere but the better option, which takes some discipline, is to withdraw into the mood of the tranquil surroundings. We needed three boats with a standing oarsmen to take us the 100 meters to the small island.

The island would take about thirty minutes to walk around, it's very flat and wondrously green. In the middle lives the temple. The journey across was like a purification process so that the mind could arrive in a clearer frame and could let the heart emerge.

I think we all had the feeling that this was truly a temple for God. Its holiness and austerity was secured by the island itself. The temple was a place of dedication, a place for people to come quietly. A temple that you could honor, rather than to ask. It was a place to pray, rather than to plead, it was a place to love, rather than to beg.

The low-level wall around it was a 50 x 50 meters square-shaped grounds, and had only three small separate standing temples that would fit only two people. The prayers are offered outside the abodes.

Swami explained how in Kerala, even the Shiva temples have a smaller temple for Vishnu. The sand around the temple was soft. Each of the temple entrances had doorkeepers of aged dark rock Shiva statues with a torch holder on the side.

Today visited the shiva temple on the island of Ponnthuruth amazing place pic.twitter.com/tr99jr1oop— Swami Vishwananda (@vishwananda) December 12, 2014

The temple felt as much Indian as it did Egyptian  or as it did Greek. A temple of all ages and times. A temple for the Gods, one in honour and praise but also for in its simplicity and size, a genuine humbleness .
After the ceremonial prayers and walking around, Swami gave a discourse. We all sat around where the yagna fire had been.  It was one of those poetic moments in life, where tears of joy can just take over. It's moments like these that bring ageless love and devotion.

Swami spoke about the historical split  in regards to the concept of God being both with form and formless as represented by Vaishnavas, but only as formless by the Saivites. Along with this division between beliefs, the desecration of various temples occurred in the twelfth century and political and economic aspects related there to.

Swami also went on to say that Brahma would wait until all beings become Realised before ending the world. He then paused to consider the impact of the manifestation and self-destruction that this would mean.

On the subject of enlightenment, he asked us to consider what we even understand by this relative to any expectation of such experience. He also gave time for questions. I always think I should have a book of questions ready!

One of the Russian ladies asked about the guilt she felt from her Christian Orthodox path, which made sense as to why she loved the Hindu deities so much. Swami talked with her for a long time to help her understand this better, such was her sincerity and the depth of the moment.

This may have been the longest time I have spent on such a discussion that included all the myriad aspects of culture, upbringing, and religious differences. Swami commented to someone that the questions can be everlasting, I felt like asking one more just to keep him talking due to the beauty of the temple and discourse.

It was time to leave. We crossed back over the river, and one of the boats was full of people who sang  joyfully with devotion. It felt as if the trip back across the water with Swami had drifted us back to the daily world.

South India Pilgrimage: Personal Accounts of Day 1 and Day 2 in Kerala

Many of the devotees in the pilgrimage with Swami have been generous with the little free time that they have on the pilgrimage, to put together written accounts of their adventures in India for us to read. For the next few days, we'd like to share those accounts, each one coming from a different person participating in the trip.

As you have read yesterday about the events of day one, here is a first-hand account of those events from Dimitri (USA) . We'll follow that with another account from Kadambari (Germany), and lots of pictures from the group's adventures.

Here we go:...

Day 1 south India pilgrimage with Swami - Dimitri

Beaches in Varkala                                 by  Aleksandr Zykov

I awoke to the sound of wind blowing through palm trees, when I stepped out onto the balcony and was met with amazing views of the Indian ocean. After a relaxing morning getting settled into our hotel, as a group we met in the yoga room of the hotel to see Swamiji for the first time.


Although the weather was hot we were graced with some sporadic rain showers that made for a few refreshing moments intertwined nicely between the dosas, and chai we had for breakfast. So we all found ourselves in the open air of the top floor of the hotel, receiving our briefing from Yamuna of the do’s and don’ts about how to conduct ourselves in India and more importantly with Swami.

 Anticipation filled the air and soon there after we found ourselves singing bhajans waiting for the grand entrance of Guruji. Expectation grew and before we knew it we were on our feet as his orange robe graced our eyes. With a candid smile and those soft eyes he welcomed us all to the land of Ayurveda and began to speak of a story about the land of Kerela and how it came to be.

Right about this point my mind started to focus more on drinking water out of a coconut than what Swamiji was talking about, but I'll try to paraphrase as best I can. “You see” he said, Parasuram [the 6th of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu] threw His axe, and where it landed was Kerala. For more on that story click here.

Lord Parasurama

The story then shifted to the mountains that lay near us and how they came to be. “You know,” he began, “Hanuman was carrying the mountain to Sri Lanka and a piece of the mountain fell in Kerala leaving a wide variety of herbs and fruits.” He then went of to talk about how the traditions are different in the south, especially in the temples.

Fast forward a few hours and we set out for the temple on foot with a full stomach and a desire to see the first temple of our trip. The rains had calmed down to a light sprinkle and in the 2 km walk we managed to turn quite a few heads. 40 westerners walking down the street in dotis and saris all sporting tilaks, some clapping and singing bhajans - we had gone and stolen the local style right out from under them, and the look on their faces showed they didn’t know what to think!

As we arrived at the temple, we took off our sandals and started making our way up the stairs to the main entrance, Swami having already arrived stood at the top of the stairs beckoning us forth towards the Vishnu temple.

Instantly the differences in tradition became apparent. When we entered the temple, all of the men were required to remove their shirts. Another difference was that the Shiva and Lakshmi Narayana murtis were all on the premises and they didn’t each have their own separate temples.

As we went inside the coordinators were asking about possibilities of pujas or abishekems. I walked around the murti and felt the wet stone against my feet, trying to take it all in, still not fully believing where I was or what I was doing.

Just as the puja was starting up a few men with drums and flutes drew near. Their off-beat drumming combined with the sound of the bells in the temple, prayers from Swami, and the Mahamantra being sung by the local woman standing next to me, all made for a very powerful and intense first temple experience.

The smell of curry in the air, the feel of kum kum on our forheads, we had arrived and our pilgrimage with Sri Swami Vishwananda had begun.

Sri Swami Vishwananda with the head of the Jagatguru Sree Narayana Guru Ashram

DAY 2 -  Thursday in Varkala (Kerala region) - Kadambari

Ashram & pilgrimage "Sree Narayana Gurudev Jagathguru"

The second day greeted us with overcast skies and light rain. This did not stop some devotees from starting the day at 7:00h with OM Healing in the yoga room in "Oceano Cliff".

After the invigorating Ayurvedic breakfast we went straight up with ten "Tuc-Tucs" in the convoy to the "Sivagiri Hill" where the widely known ashram & pilgrimage of Sree Narayana Gurudev Jagathguru (1856 - 1928) is located.

Sivagiri Hill

  by  akhilsasidharan 

For our visit to the ashram there was this time a "color-dress-code" in addition to the traditional temple clothing. Bright yellow flags adorned our motorized rickshaws. For the last two kilometers we made a pilgrimage on foot with the flags in hand, to the foot of the "Sivagiri Hills". "Om Namo Narayanaya" was chanted by all the devotees of many nationalities, as we merged more and more into a single unit.

One of the leading swamis received us warmly and gave us an informative insight into the philosophy of his guru, whose motto was: "One Caste - One Religion - One God".

   by  dalbera 

This was followed by an invitation to a wholesome Ayurvedic lunch, traditionally served on a banana leaf. Many chutneys in all kinds of flavors you eat with the fingers of the right hand together with rice and cakes. The left hand is considered unclean in India and remains under the table.

Finally, we all got a lesson of respectful behaviour towards our Guruji. We were able to visit the spiritual head of the ashram in private rooms and receive Prasad. Gurudev stood near the elderly Swami, before whom we stood before. I was a little nervous and unsure how I should behave. A Mataji in front of me bowed low before Guruji, which I almost did not think of. So I was glad about that memory and bowed low before Guruji and afterwards towards before the spiritual head of the ashram.

Back outside I stood next to the Mataji which was queued before me and heard Gurudev beside her saying strict say lovingly, that they never bow before other masters, gurus, saints etc - only before their Guru. It is like offending him, unless it is the Guru who orders us explicitly to do so. This message was shared very quickly around the travelers, with me, and many others. We were all happy with this important lesson, which was followed by a wonderful Satsang with Swamini Mohini and Swamini Kishori on the beach in the afternoon.

Much Love & Sunshine,
Kadambari

Sri Swami Vishwananda visits South India on pilgrimage

For the last couple of weeks, Sri Swami Vishwananda has been on pilgrimage in southern India.

On the first day, December 11, many guests arrived from their homes around the world in Trivandrum, and drove to Varkala to gather together and begin the pilgrimage. Varkala is famous for the 2,000 year-old Janardana Swamy Temple, which is an important Vaishnava shrine in India, and is often called the Dakshini Kashi - Varanasi of the south.

The presiding deity of Janardana Swamy temple is Vishnu, to whom four pujas are performed daily. It is widely believed that worship at this shrine cures many ills. Devotees - Hindus and non-Hindus alike - are attracted from all over India and beyond to visit the temples, beaches, and ayurvedic centers here. The Janardana Swamy temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins.

A local newspaper's coverage of Sri Swami Vishwananda's visit to the Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru

Sree Narayana Guru

The pilgrimage group gathered together with Guruji in Varkala to visit the samadhi place of Sree Narayana Gurudevan (1856 or 1030 AD - 1928 AD).

Sree Narayana Guru's mission in life focused much on reforming social customs and removing caste prejudices in Indian society, especially in Kerala. He spent much time as a sannyasin living among poor low-caste people, sharing in their food, and at night, sitting on the seashore, gazing out on the sea, lost in meditation.  The people came to be familiar with him, and called him "Nanoo Swami". Soon they came to believe that Narayana Guru was a great yogi who performed miracles.

Unaffected by praise or criticism, he slept in inns, wayside rest-houses, and on open grounds. He traveled to Aruvippuram, and to the Maruthvamalla Hills in Tamil Nadu, and became enlightened in a cave there. He began living there, and sustained himself with wild berries and tubers, and drank from the mountain brooks. While Narayana Guru sat for hours in meditation, a cobra and a tiger would guard him.

Throughout his life, Narayana Guru would go on to install many deities, initiate many temples, and start schools. He met famous Indian contemporaries such as Rabindranath Tagore (pictured left, in 1922) and Mahatma Gandhi (pictured right, in 1925):

Sree Narayana Guru's Samadhi place is located on the Sivagiri hill, near Varkala. The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904, is a campus spread over 200 acres, and is the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham - an organization of Narayana Guru's disciples. It also is the site of the Sarada temple, dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati.

Nearby, Narayana Guru had an elementary school established, which would also serve as a night school for people from the untouchable caste.

Below are pictures from Sri Swami Vishwananda's visit to the samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru, in Sivagiri hill.

Tomorrow we will cover more of Guruji's pilgrimage in South India, including the trip to the "Golden Island".