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The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mahayagya took place in the auspicious presence of Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj from Friday 12th September until Sunday 14th September 2008 at Newcastle Hindu Mandir, U.K.

The Yagya was expertly organised, with more than 12 Brahmanas overseeing proceedings led mainly by the most Learned Yajurvedi Acharya Shri Medinipati Mishra (of Glasgow Hindu Mandir), Acharya Shri Dharma Datta Vashishta (of the Gita Bhavan Mandir, Birmingham), Acharya Shri Surendra Shastri (of Mississauga, Canada), and on the final day, the most Learned Yagyacharya, Acharya Pt. Shri Vishnukant Shastri (of Shridham Vrindavan).

The main organiser, co-ordinator, enthusiast, tireless and selfless guider, Acharya Pt. Shri Krishna Kant Attri, Hindu Chaplain to the British Armed Forces ensured that all was orderly arranged to facilitate a smooth programme of religious and cultural events which led to spiritual bliss for all attendees.

The first day saw the auspicious welcome of the inspiration of the whole proceedings, Shri Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj. Following this, the invocation of deities, consecration of the Yagya Mandapas, worship of tutelary deities, and finally Agni Manthan – materialising Agni Bhagavan through the fire drill (arani and manthaa). Agni Manthan took quite a while this time, as devotees whose diet was not pure took the ropes to churn the fire drills. Once they were tired (at about an hour later!) the Pandits took over, and within minutes Shri Agni Bhagavan appeared.

After this, the Yagya was performed and devotees retired for a lunch break. In the Evening, a wonderful programme of Traditional Kathak and Bharatanatyam Dance by 5 sighted and 5 blind dancers. How wondrous that these five blind dancers performed without mistakes in time, space or execution of moves. They were blessed by Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj.

Day two began with Sarvadeva Puja and Yagya. Once this was completed Swami Sukhabodhananda, from Bangalore gave a very entertaining and humorous talk on life management. Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj then blessed the devotees with wise words of wisdom of the great Vedic Scriptures. In the Evening, a Bhajan Sandhya was arranged with Shri Anup Jalota performing his classics. He was accompanied on Tabla by the expert Shri Sunil Gossai, son of Shri Bankim Gossai MBE (founder of Shri Mahalakshmi Vidya Bhavan London), Shri Keeshan Eeshwarlal on Santoor and Shri Dhiren Raichuria on Guitar.

Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj gave Anup Ji two new Bhajans - ‘Guruji Prabhu Ka Darsha Karaaye’ (a composition of Shri Sadgurudev Ji), and ‘Hamse Na Mukha Moro Giridhara’ by Meerabai. Anup Ji proved that he was an all around expert (not as some think that he only knows his old bhajans), as he soulfully sang these two new bhajans composed on the spot.

On Sunday, the final Yagya was conducted with Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj and Swami Sukhabodhananda giving the main Purnahutis. Wonderfully today, on Ananta Chaturdasi, two Amazing Vedic Brahmans from Shridham Vrindavan, Acharya Pandit Shri Vishnukant Shastri Ji (Nimbarki) and his son and expert Kathakar Acharya Pandit Shri Mridul Shastri Ji provided the correct Vaishnava proceedings for the conclusion of the Yagya as per the teachings of the Shri Nimbarka Sampradaya.

After this, a Sarvadharma Sammelan or Multifaith Service for peace was celebrated with the Bishop of the Northeast leading the prayers. Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Zororastrian, Bahai, Catholic, Protestant, Methodist and Jewish priests and delegates said prayers for peace and then the various attending dignitaries, including the commander general of the British Army, senior officers of the Navy and RAF, all recieved souvenirs and blessings from Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj. Shri Sadgurudev Ji also blessed the attending Major and senior officers in the Gurkha regiment. All in all, it was a wonderful presentation of Sanatan Dharma’s inclusivistic nature.

Jay Jay Shri Radhe Shyam!!!