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Shri Golok Ganga Mahayagya,
Sapt Rishi Ghat, Sapta Sarovar, Haridwar; Maghi Purnima 2011

By the grace of Shri Thakurji and through the inspiration of Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj, the usual Maghi Purnima Yagya was held this time on the banks of Shri Ganga Mata in Haridwar over five days.

The programmes were centered around a grand Vedic Yagya complete with Yagyashala (the pavillion for the Yagya) being built according to the directions in the Vedas. The most famous Yagyacharya from Vrindavan, Shri Vishnu Kant Shastri Ji (Pattharpura, Shridham Vrindavan), his son Shri Mridul Kant Shastri Ji and his fellow Brajwasi Brahmanas from the Shri Narottam Shastri Seva Sansthan, were instrumental in the execution of this highly technical Vedic procedure.

Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj guided devotees to arrange the Yagya at the Saptasarovar Ghat where the Sapta Rishis heard the Shrimad Bhagavatam. The benefits of performing such a pure Yagya are being felt by all that participated.

Day 1: The Yagya commenced with the Dashavidha Snaan – standing in the cold Spring weather, all devotees led by Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj and Swami Shri Swaroopanand Saraswati Ji of the Shri Gautameshwar Mahadev Mandir in Sihor, Gujerat, stood in the Ganga and bathed with 10 different purifying substances, a Vedic purification ritual before starting such a Yagya. Then there was the usual Pujas and official entrance into the Yagyashala. After the day long Yagya, devotees enjoyed Satsang in the presence of Agni Narayan and all the invited and worshipped Deities on their various Mandalas, with the blessings of Thakur Shri Shri Radha Golokavihari Ji Bhagavan.

Day 2: After the usual morning bath that devotees enjoyed in the presence of Shri Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj, the Pujas commenced, followed by the Yagya. In the afternoon, various renowned Sants and Swamis visited and gave their blessings to the devotees for performing such a yagya, the likes of which had not been seen there for many decades.

Day 3: After the usual Snaan, Puja and Yagya, the proceedings for the Yagyopaveeta Samskar of some of the male children of the devotees began. Swami Shri Arjun Puri Ji blessed the evening Satsang with his attendance, and being a close friend of Shri Sadgurudevji Maharaj, he also participated in the Yagya.

Day 4: Swami Chinmayanand, MP and Head of the Ashram at Saptsarovar Ghat blessed devotees with his presence, and he participated in the evening’s worship of Lord Shiva in the form of Dwadasha Shivalinga Archana and Abhisheka. The Yagyopaveeta, Vedaarambha and Samavartana Samskaras were performed for the boys.

Day 5: Purnahuti and Vasorddhaara concluded the Yagya. There was also Gaudaan, Yagyaanta Snaan. After this, the main concluding functions started. First was the 151 Litre Milk Abhisheka of Thakur Shri Radhagolokavihari ji Bhagavan, whose charanamrit flowed for Lord Shiva-Parvati Abhisheka and then went down the Ghat Steps (over 30 feet high) via banana-tree-trunk-guttering to Ganga Mata. There was then a Deepak Archana of Ganga Mata. In the Evening, Swami Chidaanand Muni Ji of Shri Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, accompanied by over 300 devotees attended the evening Ganga Aarati in appreciation of the successful conclusion of Shri Golok Ganga Yagya which was finally finished off with a Chhappan Bhog offering of Thakurji’s prasaadam to Shri Ganga Mata, then a Raasa Leela performance and then Braahmana Vidaayi.

Indeed, it was a once in a lifetime event, in which the grace of Shri Golokvihari Ji Bhagavan, Shri Gopeshwar Mahadev, Shri Ganga Mata and Shri Gau Mata was received by all.

Radhe Radhe!