Poornakumbhamela at Santhigiri Ashram

Pothencode: Poornakumbh Mela was celebrated at Santhigiri Ashram in an ambience of Vrithashudhi and Gurubhakthi (purity of fasting, and devotion). At 5 in the morning, a special floral offering led by the Sanyasi Sangha and others took place at Parnasala, which was followed by the flag hoisting ceremony, floral offering ritual, Gurupadavandanam and Prasad distribution led by the Sanyasi Sangha at 6 am. Later at 12 noon, Gurupooja, Gurudarshan and various offerings were held. Santhigiri Ashram President Swami Chaitanya Jnana Thapaswi and General Secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi led the various ceremonies. The Kumbhamela procession started at 5 in the evening. In the Yajnashala set up in the Ashram complex, the Theertham (holy water) was prepared and filled in earthen pots with ‘Peethavasthram’ (saffron cloth), leaves of the Banyan Tree, Mango Tree and Betel Plant arranged around the mouth of the pot and coconuts and flower garlands being placed on the kumbhams. Devotees of Guru circled the Ashram Complex in the procession carrying Kumbhams on their heads. ‘Akhanda Mantrams’ echoed in the air from the throats of the devotees clothed in the beautiful garments of purity. The ‘Panchavadyam’, ‘Nadaswarams’ (various musical instruments) and ‘Muthukudas’ (traditional decorative umbrellas) added to the beauty of the Kumbhamela. Devotees also accompanied the Kumbhams by carrying ‘deepams’ – steel ‘thattams’ with rice, flowers, incense sticks, and coconuts with oil and lit wicks. The Kumbhams and Deepams were offered to Guru with prayers. The Poornakumbhamela is a ceremony commemorating the Ashram founder Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru’s attainment of spiritual completion (Avasthapoorthekaranam) on 1973 Kanni 4. Kumbhams are taken with 11 days of fasting. This is a karma that removes our sorrows and family evils and brings purity to our forefathers (pithrus). The procession, attended by thousands from different parts of the country, made Santhigiri Ashram a centre of devotion. At 10 pm, artistic programs were also staged under the leadership of the Vishwasamskriti Kalarengam. The 96th Navpoojitam celebrations also concluded with the Poornakumbhamela.