19 February 2024

Finally, the day arrived for the peak of the Grand Opening ceremonies for OM Ashram – eager with anticipation, everyone gathered in front of the Shiva Temple after morning sadhana, and awaited the arrival of Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Sri Swami Maheshwarananda Ji.

When Vishwaguruji arrived, he first greeted the Samadhi place of his beloved Holy Guruji, Hindu Dharm Samrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavananadaji, and then he entered the Shiva Mandir (temple), accompanied by Maha Nirvani Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Vishokanand Bharti Ji.

The whole day of ceremonies started with placing the caps on all six of the golden Kalashs, at the same auspicious moment, while mantras were chanted inside the Shiva Temple. This was the main part of the ceremony called Pran Pratishtha, not only making each Kalash complete, but more importantly, it collectively made the building complete and 'alive' to its purpose, with a central focus on the Shiva Temple and Shiva Lingam inside.

This process of 'awakening' or 'inviting' the divine consciousness to come down to earth and live in the stone temple of OM Ashram, is symbolic of what goes on within each human, when developing on their spiritual path.

The design of the entire complex is not only based on the OM shape, which symbolises the manifested universe, but the central structures further symbolise the human body, with the tower over the Dwardash Jyotirlinga Shiva representing the head, and Shiva Himself symbolising consciousness.

The consecration of the Shiva Temple began with special pujas led by Vishwaguruji and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Vishokanand Ji, with several pandits, many sannyasis and thousands of bhaktas, who all concentrated their devotion on this extraordinary moment.

During this puja, the red cloths which had been covering the Shiva Lingam and eyes of Nandi, were finally removed, symbolising the eternal connection between Nandi and Shiva.

The whole atmosphere exploded with joy – rose petals showered on everyone from the Kalashs on top of the temple domes, the large temple bell rang out loudly, and there were many calls of "Ki Jay!" and "Jai Ho!"  in praise of Vishwaguruji and the whole Parampara of Om Sri Alakhpuriji Siddha Peeth.

The program continued in the great Katha Hall, with many dignitaries from the spiritual world, as well as official government and social representatives, giving speeches to the huge gathering, including Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma Ji.

Ten days of intense Rudra Chandi Yagya fire ceremonies concluded in the afternoon, with all participants joining in a final ceremony, attended by Vishwaguruji.

These glorious ten days of inauguration and celebration finished with Guru Arati (prayers), darshan (personally greeting the guru), another cultural program, and familiar bhajans in regular satsang, and all were feeling the joy of the huge accomplishment.

Vishwaguruji finished the evening by making clear that with the opening of OM Ashram, the seva has not finished and is still ongoing under his guidance, with visions for more projects.

And he also clarified that the benefits are not only for India but for the whole world, saying, "We will serve the whole of Creation until the last breath of our life."