THE “SPECIAL BHAKTA SAMMELAN” HELD
ON TUESDAY, 20th NOVEMBER, 2007 IN THE VIVEKANANDA
AUDITORIUM OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, NEW DELHI
Decorated Alter on the Dais
As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Consecration of the Temple of Sri Ramakrishna., the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, organised a Special Bhakta Sammelan in the Vivekananda Auditorium of the Mission on Tuesday, 20th November, 2007. As many as 546 devotees enrolled themselves as delegates by paying Rs. 100/- each. The delegates actually present in the morning of Bhakta Sammelan day were 428 and a few joined in the afternoon. All those who enrolled as delegates by paying the delegate fee were given the printed programme of the Bhakta Sammelan in advance along with delegate fee receipts.
As was done last time, this time also each delegate who came for Bhakta Sammelan was given a special badge, a booklet containing Shantimantra, a Srimad Bhagavad Gita chapter, Bhaja Govindam, Ramakrishna Sangha Stotram and Ramakrishna Stotra Dashakam. Besides this, the delegates were also given a copy each of the printed folder containing Namarchana and other hymns and bhajans.
For this Bhakta Sammelan Revered Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, Vice-President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, was invited to give the Bendictory Address in the afternoon. Besides, Swami Muktinathanandaji, Swami Satyarupanandaji and Swami Balabhadranandaji were also invited to speak in English, Hindi and Bengali respectively on the subject, “Spiritualising Everyday Life”. However, due to Mahasamadhi of Revered Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, 14th President, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, the programmes up to 16th November (the day on which Puja of Sri Ramakrishna was to be performed for him) were cancelled. But Bhakta Sammelan which was to be held on 12th November was allowed to be held on 20th November by extending the Golden Jubilee celebrations by one day. It was because of the postponed date, Swami Muktinathanandaji and Swami Satyarupanandaji were not available and consequently Swami Atmapriyanandaji, Vice-Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University and Swami Nirvikalpanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kishanpur (Dehra Dun) were requested to speak in English and Hindi respectively while Swami Balabhadranandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Asansol, was already scheduled to speak in Bengali.
Swamis on the Dais
Earlier in the day there was worship of Sri Ramakrishna in the Vivekananda Auditorium consisting of group singing, meditation and Sri Ramakrishna Namarchana between 8..30 and 9.15 a.m. preceded by registration of delegates from 7.30 a.m. onwards. Group singing was conducted by Swami Prajnatmanandaji and Sri Ramakrishna Namarchana was conducted by Swami Ganadevanandaji. On this occasion the Puja was done by Br. Paramatmachaitanya (Manavendra Maharaj).
|
|
|
|
Swami Ganadevanandaji leading Namarchana |
Swami Prajnatmanandaji leading devotional songs |
Then there was Tea Break during which all delegates were served one big sandwich, nimki, a banana and tea. Tea was served at two places, one for male devotees and the other for female devotees.
After the Tea Break the Morning Session in the Auditorium continued with Vedic chanting by the Monks of the Ramakrishna Order. Then Swami Shantatmanandaji made a brief welcome speech introducing the Chief Guests and also highlighting the importance of the subject “Spiritualising Everyday Life”. This was followed by an inspiring speech by Swami Atmapriyanandaji in English. Then there was chanting of Bhaja Govindam led by Swami Prajnatmanandaji. After this, both Swami Nirvikalpanandaji and Swami Balabhadranandaji spoke very well in Hindi and Bengali respectively on the given subject and their speeches were appreciated very much by all delegates. At about 11.45 a.m. aratrikam was done by Br. Paramatmachaitanya and then there was Lunch arranged for all the delegates.
|
|
|
|
Sri Ramakrishna Arati in Progress |
Br. Parmatmachaitanya performing Arati |
|
|
|
|
Shantatmanandaji addressing in Bhakta Sammelan |
Devotees in Auditorium |
The Afternoon Session began at 1.20 with two melodious bhajans rendered by Swami Ishatmanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar (Arunachal Pradesh). Then there were three short speeches by Ms. Urvashi Sharma, Ms. Gargi Mukherjee and Shri Rahul Mukherjee. This was followed by the rendering of “Sri Ramakrishna Katha sarovar” by Swami Sashankanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Morabadi, Rnchi. Then there was the chanting of “Sri Ramakrishnastotradashakam” led by Swami Prajnatmanandaji. This was followed by question-Answer session during which about 16 questions were given by various delegates and they were all aptly answered by the three swamis to the full satisfaction of all delegates assembled there.
Swami Atmapriyanandaji answering the questions during Bhakta Sammelan
At the end a valedictory address was presented by Swami Shantatmanandaji by way of concluding remarks and they were all well received by the delegates. Then there was singing of “Ramakrishna Sharanam” in chorus led by swami Gunashrayanandaji. Afterwards, the delegates dispersed for taking Tea arranged on the lawns and some of them stayed back for attending the cultural programmes on the last day of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Thus the Special Bhakta Sammelan was a grand success.
Sign in our Guestbook Visit our Guestbook
Copyright 2007 RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, NEW DELHI
