Mahotsav draws devotees in thousands

		Mahotsav draws devotees in thousands
SHIVADEEP RAI Siliguri: Sikkim Chief Minister, Dr Pawan Chamling was chief guest at Shri Krishna Pranami Mandir in Siliguri on February 12, to witness ‘Shri Krishna Pranami Dharma-Jagani Mahotsav cum Swami Sadanandaji’s Abhinandan Samaroh’. The Mahatsav started on February 10 to be concluded on February 17.CM, accompanied by Mr. B.M. Ramudamu, MLA, was blessed by Swamiji.‘Aaj Ki Awasyakta Dharmik Sahisnuta’ was the topic chosen for deliberations on the day. Speakers were: Swamiji Sadanandaji Maharaj, Acharya Shri 108 Krishna Maniji Maharaj from Jamnagar, Shri Mohan PricharyajI Maharaj, Pracharya Shri Laxmi Kantji Sharma, Uttar Bang, Shri Mukund Saran Shastriji, Brindaban, Dr Tilak Chautanyaji from London (UK), Dr Buddhiprakashji Bajpai from Kanpur, Shri Kausal Agarwal from Mumbai, among others. The Chief Minister in his address said: “We cannot become a saint by leaving our homes and acquiring religious knowledge until and unless our thoughts are pure and our heart is clean. Every religion imparts teaching of unity which every individual should understand and work for it”. He also said an inner unrest is the main factor which makes us unhappy and suggested the people maintain inner peace so that they can get happiness. He informed that Sikkim is a very beautiful place which is blessed by Mother Nature and that it is a State of unity in diversity since people residing in the State follow different religions. Sikkim is the only State which possesses a department particularly for culture and heritage, he said. He appealed to the people to visit Sikkim.Thousands of devotees from across the globe have gathered at the Mahotsav in which Swami Shri Sadanandaji Maharaj will conduct ‘Shri 1008 Shrimadbhagwat Khata’ and offer his blessings to the people for which devotees from Nepal, Bhutan, Netherland and other countries have gathered here. Several stalls have been set at the site of Shri Krishna Pranami Mandir putting large varieties of religious books, ornaments and clothes for display and sale. Various pictures and photographs of Lord Krishna and Pranami Dharma Gurus and statuettes of Lord Krishna are on display at the photo gallery set up inside a Pandal. On February 16, Shrimadbhagwat Ayojan Samiti and Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram will jointly conduct wedding of 108 couples (above 18 years) who are financially weak. Till date, Swamiji has conducted wedding of 500 poor girls in different places of the country, it is informed. It is also informed that more such social work would be done during the Mahotsav to help the poor people. http://www.sikkimreporter.com/