For the first time, Greater Boston celebrated Shri Raghavendra Swami’s 345th Aradhana Mahotsava. The event was held under the banner of NE-SRS Brundavan and with the blessings and support of the Mantralaya Shri Raghavendra Swami mutt which is the place of the original Brundavana (sacred tomb) of the saint.

 

Although Shri Raghavendra swami is a Madhwa saint, his faith has transcended community and geographical borders and the devotees are widespread in India and also globally. When a need for a temple was felt in the UK and devotees approached the current Mantralaya pontiff SSHH Subudhendra Theertha, he blessed the mission and GB-SRS Brundavan was launched 7 years ago. This year, after they celebrated the Aradhana for the 7th year, they are also opening the temple for devotees to come and experience the benevolence of their beloved saint and offer their prayers at any time. Alongside, they have supported the establishment of the Boston chapter – hopefully the first of many more to come.

 

With the blessings of The Mantralaya Mutt, the support of GB-SRS Brundavan and the ardent passion and devotion of the local community, we were able to celebrate the first aradhana here in Dracut at Sadhu Vaswani center with an overwhelming response of over 350 people from all of the new England area and other neighboring states too. The event was grand in every way from handcrafted palanquins to a full and traditional multi-course meal on banana leaves for over 300 people. The event was nothing short of a miracle - devotees banded together without any seed money or organizational structure and over just one month, they brought their best skills forward with only one intent – to celebrate the saint in their own community and location.