CHICAGO: Devotees of Goddess Gayatri gathered to celebrate Vasant Panchami festival hosted by Global Gayatri Pariwar in Chicago land on Sunday, February 16 between 10am to 2pm
Dilipbhai and Harshaben Thakkar were the Main Yajman for the Gayatri Yagya. Kusumben, Bhanuben and Bhaskarbhai sang inspiring Pragya Sangeet. Head of Metropolitan Corporation Mrs. Santosh Kumar was Chief Guest who in her address urged devotees to read and follow Gurudev Acharya Shree Ram literature for resolving day to day problems and stress of the modern life.
In her speech Kusumben Patel, the main organizer of the GGP, talked about Gurudev and his message and observed that he undoubtedly belonged to the lineage and category of divine Rishis and seers like Dadhichi. He pioneered experiments on simple sadhanas, which could be easily pursued by the common masses and initiated program of spiritual and intellectual refinement of people without any discrimination of religion, caste, creed, sex, or social status. His teachings have global appeal, she said.
Sriram Sharma was born on the 20th September 1911 as the son of Pt. Roopkishor Sharma and Mata Dankunvari Devi in Anvalkheda (Dist. Agra, India). That his saintly heart was concerned for the welfare of common masses was clearly expressed since his childhood when, as a small boy, he took a brave step of nursing an old “untouchable” woman suffering from leprosy against the strong disapproval and displeasure of his family.
The eminent patriot, scholar and founder of the Banaras Hindu University Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya initiated Sriram in the worship of Gayatri Mantra when he was nine years old. On the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami festival, January 18, 1926, a guru by the name of Swami Sarveshvaranandji “a great Himalayan yogi” appeared before him in astral form during his Gayatri worship. This sparked the revelation of the divine origin and purpose of his life. Since then Gurudev’s birthday is celebrated on Vasant Panchami day.
Gurudev Acharya Sharma fought against blind beliefs (Andh Shraddha) and baneful social customs in the same way as Swami Dayanand Saraswati, who established the reformist socio-religious organization-Arya Samaj, to eradicate prevalent evils in society two hundred years ago. Gurudev inspired millions of youth who joined his crusade for changing the society thru campaign of Yugnirman Yojana of Global Gayatri Pariwar.
Tributes were also paid to Dwarkaprasad Chitanyaji (May 1936- Jan.2014) who worked closely with Gurudev since 1968 at Gayatri Tapobhumi Mathura.
He was one of the most dedicated workers to spread Gurudev’s literature after Pt. Leelapat Sharma.
It was announced that the GPP will celebrate Mahashivratri, on Saatuday March 1 at 10am and Holi on Sunday March 16 at 4 pm at Gayatri Shaktipeeth in Desplaines, a northside suburb of Chicago.
Surendra Ullal
