Deepa Pradakshinam Brightens Up Navapoojitham

Pothencode (Thiruvananthapuram): Hundreds of devotees participated in the Deepa Pradakshinam (Lamp procession) today (22.08.2023) held in connection with the 97th Navapoojitham celebrations of Santhigiri Ashram.

Starting from the Yajnashala at 7 pm, the procession circumambulated the ashram complex and reached the spiritual zone. The ritual ended with the devotees offering the lamps at the feet of Guru prayerfully. During the procession, the chants of the guru mantra resonated in the air. The whole area was filled with celestial fragrance. As hundreds of devotees lined the path with lamps on their palms in the twilight hour, the ashram atmosphere pulsated with spiritual radiance. Traditional music and percussion like panchavadya, nadasvara and perumbara resounded in the air along with Akhanda Namam -the Guru mantra. Ashram President Swami Chaitanya Jnana Thapasvi led the Deepa Pradakshinam.

After the Deepa Pradakshinam, Bharatanatyam performed by Japanese dancer Kaname Tomiyasu added color to the celebrations. She got to know more about the Ashram and the Guru after her meeting with Swami Guru Ratnam Jnana Thapasvi, the General Secretary of Santhigiri Ashram when he was in Delhi. Kaname’s wish to perform Bharatanatyam in Guru’s abode was fulfilled on Navapoojitham Day. Kaname was felicitated by Janani Kripa Jnana Thapaswini and Janani Renurupa Jnana Thapaswini. From 9 pm, various art programs of Visha Samskriti Kalarangam were staged. This year’s Navapoojitham celebrations will conclude with the Poorna Kumbh Mela on September 20.