Haidakhandi Samaj

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Our Chairman Shree Alok Banerjee with Man Singh,Vinode Shastri,myself and Vijay Bhatiani,S anjiv Sarna travelled from Delhi to Vapi with Padukas of Shree Babaji on 25th February.In Delhi Babajis Padukas and the group was received with warm and gracious hospitality at the house of Laxmi Ji and Deviji.

We reached Vapi the next day and were received by Shri Yogendrabhai at the station.Babajis Padukas were received by great devotion by a large number of Indian and overseas devotees .Presence of Babajis Padukas electrified the atmosphere and everyone was getting into the mood of the festival to follow.

On 27th Morning the day of Shivaratri we all got up for Chandan early morning and there were nearly four hundred people from the Ashram and from areas around.It was very solemn and set the tone for a wonderful Shivratri Celebrations over three days with Havans,all night Avishek of Shiva on Shiva Ratri evening.I have rarely kept awake all night for any function in our Ashrams but this Shivaratri at Manda it happened spontaneously.Not just me but many other devotees had the same experience.We were kept in our enchanted state through the night by some old favorite Bhajans by Champua,Vinode Shashtriji and various other devotees. Hot tea and coffee was generously supplied through the night.All of the large number of devotees present the whole night felt really blessed.Most of us were back again next morning for Chandan. Babajis Padukas were invited to the home of some local devotees.

Three Havans were held over the three days of celebrations and large number of Indian,foreign and local devotees participated.There were large Bhandaras held on 27 th and 28th February and estimated fifteen hundred local residents and children came each day.The Shivaratri Bhandara was sponsored by Taruna Ben Patel.All the Ashram devotees had all there meals in a new and refurbished dining room which was also made possible by generous donations from Taruna Ben. Infact Shivratri day was like a big fair in the Ashram with thousands of local people and devotees thronging the premises in their best and colourful dresses.The atmosphere was one of joy and there was smile on the face of one and all.

There are many more people who worked silently behind the scene to make the Shivaratri an experience of a lifetime.I pray to Babaji to bless them.All of us were overwhelmed by the hospitality and devotion of the Team under YogendraBhai and Palluben. No amount of thanks can express our feelings of gratitude for this wonderful spiritual experience at the Manda Ashram.

We travelled back to Delhi with Babajis Padukas on the 2nd March and as if we were on a non stop joyride we continued with celebrations at Sandip Tandons home.Then Babajis Padukas made a miraculous journey to Gurgaon to Bless Brig and Dr Savita Chopras on the commencement  of ceremonies of their sons marriage. They all were overwhelmed with timing of it all and marriage ceremonies were delayed just to have the august presence of Babaji.Then Babajis Padukas travelled again to the home of Ashok and Meena Chandra’s gracious home. There were large gatherings of Delhi devotees in all the homes and the hospitality was too good and gracious at each home. Babajis Padukas made the journey back to Haidakhan the same night .

Some pictures are enclosed to convey the feel of the occasion.Hope to see you all for the Chaitra Navratris at Haidakhan starting 31st March to 8th April.

BBKJ

Uday Chatterjee

Bhole Baba ki Jai !!

OM Namah Shivay !!