TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA
TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD
SAMRATCHANA ASHRAM, a Social, Cultural and Spiritual Centre for Self Realization, was established by Shri Siva Shankar Baba in Chennai. If you are in Chennai or during your visit to Chennai, do not miss to visit this divine destination as it is one of the must visit places.
The Logo of Samratchana teaches us the following:
Saranam : 8 Petalled Lotus Flower can be seen at the base of the logo, which reveals that the Feet of the Lord rests on this lotus flower. One has to hold on to Lord's Feet and that is ''Saranam". Abayam : God's Hand in the logo represent that, (Saranam) if we hold on to the Lord's Feet, he would Protect us (Abayam). ie Saranam leads to Abayam. Aiswaryam : If one place their total trust in God, they get Ashta Aiswaryam (8 forms of Wealth) namely Health, Wealth, Strength, Wisdom, Courage, Food, Heritage and Knowledge. It is clearly indicated by 8 Petalled Lotus Flower. The Jyothi (Light) surrounding the Holy Hand in the logo represents the fact that if we deserve, Lord will grant us "Moksham" ie. Liberation.
About Samratchana - "Rama Rajya", The Reign of Truth:
As per BABA Rama Rajya is not just a resort; It is the last resort to the Spiritual Seeker! It is located at Kelambakkam. The purpose of this community is to bring all people around the world as one family without any discrimination. In around eight acres of land, there are six blocks of eight living flats of approximately 450 square feet area. There is a Common Kitchen, Dining Area, Meditation Hall and Gym inside Rama Rajya. People bond with nature and are free to follow their religion. There is an International School, "Sushil Hari International Residential School" which renders a God Making Education. Motto of this school is to impart Food for the Body, Mind and Soul. Praveena Hospitals, a multi specialty semi commercial hospital is also located inside the campus. Temples inside the premises are:
Poorna Brahmam Temple
A unique feature of the Kodi Maram (Dwajasthambam or Flag Mast) at the temple is that Lord Aanjaneya sits on the top of it. The presence of Aanjaneya has always signified victory and has hence been placed on the Kodi Maram of the temple.
The temple Gopuram (Tower) is shaped like the Diamond Crown of Lord Venkatachalapathy with a Gold Kalasam on the top. In the 4 towers atop the Gopuram are statues of Mahaans (Spiritual Giants), namely, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Raghavendra Swami, Sri Koti Mahaan, and Sri Paramacharya. Across the Sanctum Sanctorum, the divine forms that each Mahaan represented (Sri Shirdi Sai Baba – Ganesha, Sri Koti Mahaan – Muruga, Sri Raghavendra Swami – Ranganayaka (Maha Vishnu) and Sri Paramacharya – Goddess Ambaal) are consecrated. In addition, an idol of Saint Ramanuja is also installed in the Sanctum of Ranganayaka. The Spiritual Giants symbolize that, like them, any normal human being can elevate themselves to higher spiritual levels.
The Ayyappa idol to which Baba had been performing daily Poojas, was moved to the Poorana Brahmam temple and placed atop the Sanctum Sanctorum vide the concept of Gopurathu Ilaiyanaar (Presiding or Protecting Lord) practiced in ancient Siva temples, where Muruga is placed atop the Sanctum of Siva. In the Poorana Brahmam temple, Ayyappa is the Gopurathu Ilaiyanaar and His Viswaroopa (Majestic Form of the Lord) is in the Sanctum Sanctorum as the Poorana Brahmam.
Eight Pillars support the temple from the ground each sculpted with “Yaali” – the lion form. A flight of steps accessible from all 4 sides of the temple lead to the Sanctum Sanctorum. As in the Sabarimala temple, the 18 steps on the front staircase leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum represent the 18 Siddhas. Each of the three other staircases contains a series of 12 steps that represent the 12 Azhwars, 12 Apostles and 12 Zodiacs. Along the steps on each side, beautiful fountains (Water) and brightly-lit palm trees are placed to provide a picturesque effect. A Maha Yaga Salai (Fire) is located a few feet down the temple hallway, where Homams (fire rituals) are performed every morning and on Pournami (full moon) days. The Poorana Brahmam temple is always kept open. In fact, there are no doors on any of the sides of the Sanctum Sanctorum (open to Air and Space). The temple is built on solid ground (Earth). The five elements of nature “Panchabootham” – Water, Fire, Air, Space and Earth – coexist in this temple.
Sripuram - Goddess Temple
Success knew no bounds for Baba’s community living concept as an adjacent piece of land was acquired for expansion and christened Sripuram. Baba casually mentioned His wish of installing an Ambal idol at Sripuram. The Grand Master’s plans were realized in a short period of time and the temple arose at a God-decided rapid pace.
An idol of Ashta Dasa Buja Durga Lakshmi Saraswathi, Standing tall at 10.5 feet atop Mahisasuran on a three feet lotus pedestal, the 18-handed Durga has a weapon in each hand to combat and rout the evil forces, a temple for the goddess was constructed in the year 2011. What an ambience She is enshrined in! Beautiful gardens, lush lawns, a large hall with a seating capacity of 200, and a Yaga Salai with a similar capacity.
Across the temple are Gayatri Devi (the Goddess of Vedas and Wisdom) and Lord Siva overseeing the daily Yagam and other poojas such as Bhagavati Pooja (the day after Pournami) Navarathri, Sashti, etc. Lord Ganesha is situated across the deity on a Hamsa Vahanam (Swan). A replica of Durga is placed on the roof of the temple.
A very unique feature of the temple is that the Navagrahas are housed in a Ardha Mandapam on the ceiling of the temple hall just outside the Sanctum Sanctorum. Worshiping Goddess Durga implies the worship of the Navagrahas.
Adjacent to the temple is a well stocked free library containing 20,000 books – on spiritualism and a wide range of other topics.
Activities of the Temple:
At 6 am everyday, the Goddess is woken up by the chanting of Vedas and singing songs in Her praise. Nitya yagnam is performed at the Yaga Salai by chanting Chandika Hrudaya parayanam and Devi Mahatmiya parayanam. The yagnam lasts for about an hour from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Pooja to the deity consists of abishekam to Meru with milk followed by the chanting of Lalitha Sahasranama, Devi Mahatmiyam, Nava Dalam, Chandi parayanam, and, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi namavali. Daily evening at six, Vishnu Sahasranama is recited followed by Pallaku (palanquin) and Oonjal (swing) seva. Durga is put to sleep around 8 pm with “Taalelo” song of Siva Shankari.
Apart from the above mentioned activities, special “Ragu Kaala” pooja, Bhagavat Sevai, and special Gayathri Yagna are performed on various days of the month.
Nine days of special Yagam and pooja mark the Navarathri celebrations at the temple. The Goddess is imaginatively decorated with different alankarams on each of the nine days. Kanya pooja, Suhasini pooja, and Annadhanam are performed on the final couple of days of Navarathri.
Truly Secular
The truly secular temples do not discriminate religion / caste / creed / sex / nationality. Everybody is welcome to worship and offer their prayers to the Lord. Equality is practiced at an even higher level that “no separate pooja or archana is performed for any individual”. This could very well be the only temple in India where women chant the Vedas.
Every Fridays, ''Lalitha Shasranamam Pooja" is performed, and during the pooja all are provided with Sri Chakra along with other items at free of cost. Many devotees have expressed about the benefits they got after performing this pooja. For mental peace and calmness, ''Satyanarayana Pooja" is performed on every full moon day (pournami). "Homams and Yagnas" takes place every day like Sudarshana Homam, Pratyankara Yagna, Agora Veerabhadra and Swami Yagna for Peace and Prosperity in the World. On auspicious days Samratchana organizes "Pada Yatras" (Processions) to promote universal brotherhood. Veda Classes takes place for free. During evenings, irrespective of caste discrimination, Pancha Sukhtam, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Lalitha Sahasranamam are taught for free.
About Shri Siva Shankar Baba - The Living God:
Shiv Shankar Baba, popularly called as "God Uncle" by his several thousands of followers across the world is a Spiritual Leader. He strongly believes that the "Temple" is within every human being. He runs a Self Realization Centre in Chennai with out the barriers of caste, religion, gender, age or economy. Fondly known as "Baba", he gives spiritual counselling for the needy. Also with his prayers, he cures various ailments. He follows spirituality without any barriers between him and the seeker.
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TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA
TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD
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