CHICAGO: A trip to Ganges in Michigan, where Swami Vivekananda set up a facility hundred years ago, turned out to be hugely rewarding for devotees of Shri Swaminarayan Vadtaldham in Chicago. It buoyed up spiritual sentiment for all participating in the trip.
It was the first ever tour to Swami Vivekananda Retreat in Fannville, MI on Sunday, March 15, sponsored by ISSM of Chicago. This tour was arranged with divine blessings of Acharya Maharajshri Rakeshprasadji. Over 100 satsangis participated in the end to end Satsang.
The tour started with two bus loads of passengers – devotees from Chicago – around noon. Many Chicago Haribhaktas contributed in dedicated Seva (service) including preparing/serving Mahaprasad, fruits, snacks, etc. Non-stop satsang activity throughout the trip was the most cheering highlight for all. ISSM of Chicago Management sincerely appreciates seva and unique coordination of volunteers that made this trip successful and joyful.
Swmi Vivekananda Retreat, developed in 1968, is a wonderful worship place where cultural values of Hindu Vedic religion based on exemplified vision of Swami Vivekananda are maintained. Chicago Satsangis performed worship including Shri Swaminarayan Kirtan, Dhun and Aarti. The best part of this tour was watching a unique museum of antique murtis (idols), pictures of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
At the end, President of ISSM of Chicago, Arjun Malaviya, thanked Hari Dasa of Swami Vivekananda Retreat and greeted all satsangis who participated in this tour. He specially thanked Jim Malavia, Yogesh Patel, Rajesh Patel, and Snehalbhai who worked hard to make this tour a success.
Jayanti Oza
