Over 200 devotees gathered in a joyous spiritual celebration of Vasant Panchami / Sarasvati Puja at SATSANG Center on February 1st, 2014. Vasant is not merely a festival rather it epitomizes a new awakening of sorts. An emergent awakening of nature on which blossoms the world itself. Vasant is deemed the crown of all seasons (ऋतुराज) that marks the arrival of spring in Bharat, where it appears as if the whole nature is offering a floral tribute to Devi Sarasvati on Her birthday (Avataran Divas).

Sangeeta Saxena, a volunteer priest of Gayatri Pariwar, officiated the Puja/Deep-yagya ceremony. She opened the celebration with a soaring rendition of Sri Hanuman Chaalisa, followed by pragya-geets. Neeta Rathi provided melodious vocal support and Swami Saxena delighted the congregation with his vivacity of spontaneous tabla-rhythms.

“Deep Yagya” ceremony was the highlight of this spiritually surcharged evening. It’s a contemporary version of traditional Yagya, that Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya had pioneered for popularizing the philosophy of Yagya in the busy lifestyle of modern times.

Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami to affirm the prominence of  Vidya  (knowledge) and continuous learning with renewed vigor in their life. Devotee performed shodshopchaar Puja of Devi Sarasvati. Which followed the puja of Vadya-Yantra (musical instruments), Mayur (peacock)  and Vasant (spring flowers). In the hands of expert musicians, musical instruments can potentially move the human emotions/sentiments and hearts. The Veena in the hands of Devi Sarasvati signifies this fact. The Mayur (peacock) symbolizes the sweet voice and beauty and happiness. Human appreciation of nature’s beauty and gifts is expressed with the  puja of  Vasant (spring flowers).

After the parva-pujan, 108 lamps were lit up for the “Deep-yagna” and all the devotees offered the “Gayatri Mantra Aahutis”.  They also offered “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Aahutis” for world peace and for those whose birthday’s and marriage anniversaries that fall in the current calendar month. This felt like a real family festival in true spirit of Pariwar as in 'Gayatri Pariwar'.

The entire celebration was lucidly interspersed with the coherent philosophy behind all the Puja activities performed throughout the evening. Sanjay Saxena, rendered this commentary based on the teachings of Acharya Shriram Sharma. According to Acharya-ji,  we are alive in an extraordinarily special times, which rarely happens in hundreds of thousands. Such a humongous revolution is taking shape now, that history would never see these changes again. People who are awake and alert in critical times, they must bear greater responsibilities to affect change.

Towards the conclusion of the evening, all participants took vows to give up one of their flaws or undesirable habit in their lives and also took the vow to infuse and grow a new strength/good habit for the continued progress and life changing transformation. The event was a huge success with the active support of SATSANG and Gayatri Pariwar volunteers, who poured their heart and hard work to make this event a memorable one. The evening concluded with Aarti and Mantra Pushpanjali followed by mahaprasad .

All World Gayatri Pariwar , also celebrates the Vasant Panchami as spiritual birthday (आध्यात्मिक जन्मदिवस) of its founder  Acharya Shriram Sharma. Acharyaji pioneered the revival of spirituality through creative integration of modern science and ancient Dharmic traditions, relevant for challenging circumstances of present times. According to Him, the “perversion of thoughts” is the root cause of crisis in individual, family, social and world affairs in current times. The only way out of this desperate situation is “total thought revolution," which he termed as â€œVichar Kranti." “Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya” is the most effective techniques or technology for pulling the humanity out of this current crisis as a prime enabler of â€œVichar Kranti."  Acharya-ji created  the 'Yug-Nirmaan Yojanaa' (युग-निर्माण-योजना) and rolled out a massive campaign through a 'Movement of Though Revolution' (विचार-क्रांति-अभियान). This is unparalleled in the history of human thought. To investigate the validity of his ideas, Acharya-ji created a unique laboratory which he aptly named 'All World Gayatri Pariwar' (अखिल à¤µà¤¿à¤¶à¥à¤µ à¤—ायत्री-परिवार www.awgp.org ). His life touched and transformed millions of lives.

The volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts are actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought-after family ceremonies, which are integral part of Hindu tradition. Please check www.Gayatri.info for more information and upcoming events' flyers.

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