Getting Ready for Guru Purnima
The excitement is building up at the ashram as we are getting closer to Sunday's Guru Purnima.
Guru Purnima is the day of celebrating the presence of one’s Guru in the Hindu tradition by observing reverence to one’s Guru. For us in Taos, devotees are preparing the ashram grounds by doing a deep cleaning all through the ashram especially in the temple and the sunroom areas, few are elated to work in setting up of the Dhuni (an auspicious fire place set to invite the presence of various Gods), others are setting up the video camera for live streaming and some are preparing, managing & getting ready to serve the Prasad (the food offering to gods & gurus) for more than 300 people.Although, our other festivals of the year have a higher attendance because they fall on the weekend, Guru Purnima is of special importance and tends to be very beautiful and sweet here.Guru Purnima day involves the celestial chanting of a chosen mantra. We will be chanting the Maha Mantra for 24 hours without break, beginning at 1:08 pm Sunday, July 21st and finishing at 1:08 pm Monday, July 22nd. Maharaji always requested to chant the Maha Mantra at his ashrams in India during Guru Purnima and we humbly keep that tradition in our Taos Temple.For those of you who don’t know the Maha Mantra, it is-
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
As many of you may know Guru Purnima is an occasion that started during the Vedic times in order to give devotees a chance to convey their humble gratitude for all that the guru has bestowed upon them. The selected day of celebration falls on the full moon (purnima) in the month of Ashadha of the vedic calendar. It is during this full moon night that the guru is most accessible and we are most receptive. The blessings of Guru Purnima guarantee that all the offerings and gifts we give are received by the guru, and a promised benediction for his beloved devotees.~ShamaP.S. We hope you can join us either in person or via live streaming on the internet. Jai Jai Hanuman.