The Pournima in the month of Ashadh (as per the Hindu calendar) is considered as Vyaspournima or Shree Gurupournima all across India. Moreover, our dearly revered Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu has explained the significance of Shree Sadgurutattva. He has further emphasised how the Guru or Sadguru entirely transforms a Bhakta's life.
Sadguru Shree Bapu has said, "The one who grants us the strength, the power to see clearly even in the absence of light is the Sadguru. The Sadguru is the one who can enter what is unknown to you; He can enter even your `past. And it is He who has the power to repair it."
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuOseqMoMb0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The Gurupournima Utsav is one of the significant events celebrated by the Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation and its sister organisations every year. Shraddhavans travel long distances to Shree Harigurugram to glimpse their beloved Sadguru and celebrate this Utsav by immersing themselves in the Bhaktibhav Chaitanya.
This year, the Gurupurnima Utsav started at around 9 o'clock in the morning on Saturday, 8th July 2023. Parampujya Nandai and Parampujya Suchitdada performed the Poojan of Shree Narasimha Saraswati's Padukas. The Aarati of Shree Dattaguru and Maa Jagadamba followed this. Later, the Poojan of Shree Trivikram Linga was performed. Tulsipatra leaves were offered to Shree Trivikram throughout the Utsav.
After that, the Padukas of Nityaguru arrived at Shree Harigurugram and were placed upon the Bhakti Stambha. Parampujya Nandai and Parampujya Suchitdada performed Pradakshina around the Bhakti Stambha while carrying an Ishtika (a brick made of paper pulp), which had 'श्रीराम' written on it.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CubgbESJ241/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Parampujya Nandai and Parampujya Suchitdada also lit up Sudeep during the Utsav at Shree Harigurugram.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CublmVLubpE/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Moreover, for achieving well-being and welfare, Shraddhavans performed Shree Trivikram Poojan and Mahapoojan throughout the day. The Gurugeeta Stotra and the Poojan mantras echoed throughout the premise of Shree Harigurugram. Shraddhavans also performed Pradakshina around the Bhakti Stambha by carrying Ishtika on their heads while chanting the Mantragajar. The constant recitation of Gurumantras and Mantragajar across Shree Harigurugram maintained a sacred atmosphere throughout the Utsav. This was truly enriching for Shraddhavans!
Shraddhavans also took the darshan of Sadguru Shree Bapu's Charanmudra and touched them in reverence. They also got to take home a small packet of Udi sanctified by Sadguru Bapu with his Hastasparsha. Shraddhavans consider that the one who applies Udi experiences the wonders of the Sadguru's grace. Indeed, one must believe that Sadguru graces his bounties to Shraddhavans in multifold.
To top every emotion of Shraddhavans, an LED screen was put up next to the main stage, relaying the yesteryears videos of Sadguru Shree Bapu giving darshan to Shraddhavans. Even these video clips of Sadguru Bapu dearly smiling filled the hearts of Shraddhavans at the Utsav with immense love and joy.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CucKS-gPuA0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
All the more, the up-close reels and photographs of the events of the Utsav posted on social media in real-time ensured a close-knit connection for the Shraddhavans who could not attend this Utsav in person. Anyone innately felt as if they were participating in this Utsav the moment they logged on to their social media accounts and saw these posts on Aniruddha Bapu Devotee Samirsinh & Aniruddha Bhakti handles on Instagram and Facebook.
All such instances imbibe only one truth, Sadguru Shree Bapu leaves no distance or space between Him and His Shraddhavan Bhakta. Plug Instagram Reel:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cue-QSUrL6_/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Towards the end of this Utsav, the Shraddhavans, despite a long day, awaited the feast of Maha-Aarati and Shree Aniruddha Paath, as was announced before the Utsav. As the Maha-Aarati began, Shraddhavans started to feel their energy levels rising. Every Aarati upgraded the enthusiasm among Shraddhavans at the Utsav. And once the Aniruddha Paath began to play after the Lalkaari (The Chants of Hails), Shraddhavans just gave in to the beats and rhythm of the Aniruddha Paath and danced to their hearts' content. The response was so energetic that a surprise Gajar, 'Kaliyuga Mein Ek Hi Traata' was sung Live after this Paath. All these Aaratis and Gajars took the tiredness and day-long exhaustion away.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cucxt_KrdNi/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
This Gurupournima Utsav was spiritually power-packed – a much-needed and yearned-for Utsav. It brought peace to the minds of Shraddhavans and filled their hearts with overwhelming emotions of love and joy.
This Utsav also held special places in our hearts because, in the Pitruvachan Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu delivered on Ashadhi Ekadashi, he had re-emphasised the significance of Utsavs, especially Shree Gurupournima and Tripurari Pournima. He had said that the Sadgurutattva amplifies the receiving capacities of Shraddhavans on these days.
I am indeed certain that Sadguru Shree Bapu's grace and blessings have worked their wonders in the life of every Shraddhavan, even without us knowing about it. We are truly indebted to our dear Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu!
Paragsinh Kadam