A sun sets

Spiritual leader Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj attains Maha Nirvana

function attended by devotees from around India and other global centres. They united to give their guru a stately farewell amid pomp and ceremony, with the shobha yatra beginning from the Shree Ram Sharnam abode at Birla Ghat.

ceremony, the millions of sadhaks around the globe participated in special jaap (meditating on rosary beads reciting Ram naam) at the centres including Sydney; New York, New Jersey and Maryland in the US; Montreal in Canada; Fiji and different parts of India.

on July 25. This approximately two-hour long ceremony begins at 6:30pm each day with a presiding priest, and includes abhishekha, aarati, mahaprasadam and finally, annapradana. “We would be happy to see more devotees at this auspicious ceremony,” stated Subha.

On July 20, the Centre will conduct the ‘eye opening of Vigrahas’ ceremony, welcoming three additional deities, those of Nagaraja, Manjamatha and Karuppan Swami to replicate the Sabari Malai deities. The ceremony will continue on July 21 with the Nayanon Meelanam ritual and will finally conclude on July 22 with Prana Prithishtai, in which the deities gain their divine life and can henceforth only be touched by the priest.

The Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre Inc. came into being thanks to the contributions of various devotees and volunteers, and is run by a committee consisting of twelve to fifteen members who generously donated their time and energy into finalising the events of the organisation. “From a single classroom in a school in Homebush to having our own special shrine and centre for Lord Ayyappa, we have come a long way,” said Subra proudly. “It is a very special achievement and we are happy to provide a place of worship for devotees in New South Wales and indeed, all of Australia,” he added.

The Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre is located at Unit 20, 116-18 McCredie Road, Guildford West, NSW 2161, and is open every day from 8pm-10am and 6.30pm8.30pm. For more information, visit sydneysriayyappa.com fulfil another purpose in life – to liberate the souls of millions of people. where sadhaks were given close encounters on the essence of life. Presenting himself as a servant of God and all, Pujya Shree Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj did not accept any offerings, monetary or otherwise, did not allow anyone to touch his feet or offer flowers at his feet. He always urged the sadhaks to bow before God, call out to him through meditation (jaap and dhyaan) and lead exemplary lives through hard work and honesty.

At just 24, Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji had come to know Shree Prem Ji Maharaj in 1964, who was then leading the Shree Ram Sharnam centre. Blessed with “the ability to be a humble human being and to serve humanity,” Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji renounced worldly pleasures and took refuge in Manali (a hill station) where he spent the next five years in search of God.

Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj, a renowned saint and pillar of Shree Ram Sharnam, an international spiritual organisation with headquarters in New Delhi, India, gave up his physical body on July 2. He attained nirvana while chanting Ram Naam at Neel Dhara, an abode of special significance, on the banks of the river Ganges in Haridwar, even as preparations were on for the celebration of Guru Purnima on July 3.

Shree Maharaj Ji’s body was immersed in the holy Ganges at Neel Dhara on July 3, with the

Vimla Rao, head of the Sydney centre who made it to Haridwar in the nick of time for the final rite of passage, said that the loss of Guru Maharaj Ji was felt by all present. Sadhaks (devotees) took part in dharshan (viewing) of Pujya Shree Maharaj Ji. “This yatra was painful and blissful ... he sat on his palki (especially made carriage, laden with garlands) like the Sun radiating energy and ever-lasting love,” said Mrs Rao, speaking from India.

The sadhaks all soldiered on bravely to pay their final respects to the guru who had, in his time, made major inroads in providing salvation to Hindus not only in India, but also those settled in western countries, mainly the US and Australia.

While those in Haridwar participated in a moving

On July 17, the Sydney centre and indeed all other centres will mark the 16th day of Pujya Shree Maharaj Ji’s passing away via a special event to celebrate his life.

The Sydney programme will begin at 9am with the recital of Shree Amritvani followed by akhand Geeta Ji ki paat and bhandara. All are welcome to join the celebrations at 23 Sheba Crescent, South Penrith.

Born on March 15, 1940 in Narowal district Sialkot (West Pakistan), Pujya Shree received his early education in Hissar, followed by a Masters and Doctorate from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. After 22 years of service as an ocular microbiologist at AIIMS, gaining international reputation especially in Asia for his work, he took voluntary retirement to

At the request of the trustees of the Shri Satyanand Ji Maharaj Dharmarth Trust, Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji accepted the responsibility to become the spiritual successor to Prama Pujya Shree Prem Ji Maharaj. Many devotees refer to him as the trinity of the organisation, having radiated the teachings of both his successors, Shree Prem Ji Maharaj and Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj, in unique ways while using his scientific knowledge to make sense of the importance of spirituality.

Pujya Shree Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj’s unique blend of qualities and humility made his teachings applicable in modern lifestyles. He made major inroads, taking the principles of ‘sadhna’ (living a disciplined spiritual life) into countries like the US,

One of his practical approaches to the drudgery of living in a fast-paced, rat-race environment was to use one’s senses to recognise the value of life. He encouraged his sadhaks to sit in quiet meditation, away from clutter and clusters. He emphasised the importance of killing one’s own ego by focussing on them and thine, rather than I and mine. He promoted selfless service to humanity and spiritual enhancement while performing routine duties. Prayers, he said, rectify our aberrations through the maha mantra of Ram naam He attained maha nirvana doing what he did best – practicing what he preached. Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj raised both his hands and looked up to the sky, (Param Hans) facing the river Ganges at Neel Dhara as his spirit left his body.

Asha Chand