Last weekend I had the great privilege of participating in this 4th Annual exquisite event of 24 hour long unbroken parayan (devotional reading) of Sri Ramcharit Manas written by none other than Sri Tulsidas, one of the greatest devotees Indian soil has ever known. It commenced on the evening of Friday at 6 pm and culminated on Saturday evening by 8 pm. This 2 day long event was brought to us by the Chinmaya Mission in Andover along with the untiring and love laden toil of about hundred devotees. A special mention goes to the duo team of Rituji and husband Jagjeet Gaind who are responsible for initiating, orchestrating and coordinating this marathon event, no less than a "Maha Yagna", in today's times. Their heartfelt efforts and hardwork have been bringing this to us every year, this time being the fourth in a row.

The event started with an enthusiastic Rituji, wanting to decorate the whole temple with garlands, flowers, statues,motifs, Diya's and banners from a week before. The whole temple came alive with the joyous theme of celebrations welcoming and beckoning one and all to come and attend. The alluring altar was aesthetically decorated, festooned with flowers and garlands and on the Altar was seated the "Ram Darbar"( Lord Rama, Sita and Laksmana with Hanuman ji) alongside the Holy Book of Ramayana. The scene exuded piety, joy and fullness and transported one to another realm amidst offering of prayers. A special thanks to Shobha Shastry who generously gave all that was wanted to help with decorations.

On Friday evening when I entered the temple, the soulful rendition of the Scripture was ongoing with devotees pouring in with fruits and flowers. The mellifluous voice of KumKumji and sister on the microphone had filled the whole arena, the hustle and bustle of the helpers, the hurried walk of volunteers in the kitchen with an expectant gaze in their eyes and the the collective chanting of all the devotees with drums and bells in the temple was enough to draw one completely in a sea of devotion and love. All the arrangements of readers seated in two separate rows with the Scriptures placed on their respective pedestals, musicians with their instruments, and Altars for idols and Abhishekam, were impeccable.

The reading continued through the night filling the entire atmosphere with devotional singing of 'Ram Charita' with different volunteers taking their turns and breaks for tea snacks and dinner which was sumptuously available throughout the 24 hour period. A number of selfless hands had made all this possible.

When I reached the next day around 3 o'clock in the afternoon , most of the book was completed with a handful of "chaupais" and "Dohas"( sutras and couplets) left to be sung and glorified. A team of four, Sita Ramanji, Ram Parveshji, Ram Bhattji, and Jay Panditji were singing Ram Dhun and Ram Bhajan in a country style folk form more popular in Eastern India, with Dhol and manjiras ( drum and bells). Their unabated energy, extreme devotion and unobstructed flow of rhythm and melody had charged every pore of each and everyone sitting in the temple hall. The energy was magnetic and contagious. The atmosphere reverberating with Ram Dhun was so electrifying that many of us were so overwhelmed to be able to contain ourselves in our beings and tears of sheer exuberance of love and bhakti began to flow down the cheeks of many sitting there, men and women alike. It was a scene to witness and to behold!
Their 3 hour Kirtan was followed by more bhajans from the CMB team of Madhu Akkihebbalji, Satishji and Rakshit Mazumdar.
Arun Chowdharyji sang another Ram Bhajan and Dhun and took all the devotees to a new soaring height with his own pining heart tugging at the hearts of all the other devotees. His voice was poignant and yearning with a painful longing characteristic of a true Bhakta( devotee).
We had more. After being submerged in this ocean of Bliss we had KumKum Dilwaliji, Madhuji, Mathur uncle and Bhushan Dixitji change the tempo and take us to dive deep in the Experience of 'Ram Naam?.
Sadhana Upadhyayaji, a trained professional classical singer, sang two compositions of Sri Tulsidas ji?s " Vinay Patrika". Needless to say her crystal clear and musically undulating voice, calming and soothing, took all of us to a point of peace within us. All the energy thus far created infusing into the very core of our being and taking us to that pregnant silence in us which is our true essence.

The finale had yet to come! It was marked by the two priests of Chinmaya Mission chanting Ram Stuti( praise) from Atharva Veda in tandem. Loud and clear the incantations were being echoed as they have been for the past thousands of years. Each one present there would have felt to be catapulted to the Vedic times where Vedic Mantras and Yagnas were a way of life.

The ceremony concluded with Arti and Prasad. Presence of Swamiji to do the Arti added a special charm.

In keeping with the tradition in Indian custom all religious ceremonies are followed by hearty feast which we all call Maha BHOG. Very special and elaborate meal replete with half a dozen variety of Sweets and Fruits was awaiting all of us. Ready and eager helpers and servers made it very convenient and comfortable for the rest of us to enjoy and relish the food deliciously prepared by many volunteers. The look of satisfaction and peace on every face was a joy to watch especially for Rituji, whose efforts had paid off and to revel in this, was her reward.



All in All it was an event that has been indelibly etched in my heart and mind.



"Peace Be To All"

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