TIRUPPAVAI DHANURMASAM & Vaikuntta E:kadasi
GITHA JYOTHI DHARMAKSHETHRAM
PITTALAVANI PALEM
Dec 16th 2002   to   Jan 14th 2002
(Photos soon...)

            On 14th January, ie., on Bho:gi day, on Vaikuntta E:kadasi day, HH Sri Swamiji conducted Goda Kalyanam along with more than 10,000 couples and more than 30,000 people participated in the event.  Tiruppavai Dhanurma:sa Vratham was conducted gloriously .  Thousands of people came to the Dhanurmasam celebration in the early hours of winter every day.  After that, HH explained the greatness of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram.  In the evenings, HH gave discourse on Tiruppavai Pasura of that day in a most wonderful manner.  People came all the way from the villages around in bullock carts, by walk, by tractors, by buses, by rikshaws, by cycles etc.,  to listen to the sweet and Divine discourse of HH Sri Swamiji.  The discourses inspired people a lot.  There was no person who was never surprised at the eloquence and the overflowing divinity in the discourses of HH Sri Swamiji.  Everyone longed to listen to HH and in the course, they used to sit spell bound for more than 3 hours of HH Discourse which extended till around 10 PM starting at 6 PM.  Every day, 5.30 to 6.00 PM Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana was conducted.  In addition to all these, 40 days Akhanda (Unbroken, uninterrupted) Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana was conducted by the people in batches throughout day and night.  This also ended on 14th Jan, ie., on Bhogi day.  
 
             So:bha:ya:thra was conducted on 13th January covering around 30 villages for a distance of around 60 Kms.  The Sobha Yathra, Peace March was conducted in vehicles as the distance to be covered is long.  Near about 120 cars, 150 Tractors, 200 scooters, followed the chain through the villages to take the messages of Githa Jyothi to one and all in the villages.    People received HH Sri Swamiji with great devotion and honour. During the procession, People fought with the organisers to allow HH Sri Swamiji to alight the vehicle and visit their place.  However, it took a great deal even for HH to convince the devotees that the procession should not be disturbed.  HH gave more than 30 discourses during the procession at different points on the way.  Thousands of people joined the procession and every one got great inspiration and understanding as HH explained the need of the hour and detailed the intention behind the two principles of Githa Jyothi.  People promised to follow the ideal path shown by HH Sri Swamiji.  Women came afront with camphor and coconunts inviting HH to their village.  A number of people brought the ghee lamps lit to signify the occasion of Githa Jyothi and their commitment to such a social cause.  HH addressed the gatherings at every place and the proccession took 11 hours from Morning 11 AM to night 9.30 PM.  HH Sri Swamiji stood patiently with Divine smile playing on His lips,  all these hours, in the vehicle without even a bit of expression of tiredness. 
              7th Githa Jyothi Dharmakshethram Programme was also conducted on 14th Jan 03.  Thousands of People thronged from hundred of villages around Pittalavanipalem (Guntur Dist) to pray for the good of all.  Every one took the Githa Jyothi Pledge that they live together irrespective of their caste creed and race.   One Lakh ghee lamps were lit.  It looked so beautiful.  Lamps were arranged in rows and columns around the ground and also in the ground specially allotted for it.  People came with ghee lamps lit.  The lamps were kept lit through out the night unlike  many  others who lit and put them off after few minutes. Children, Youth, Old people, women and men, all, took part in the programme to the extent they can with great enthusiasm and devotion. Villages, villages have come to participate in the programme.  They all came voluntarily, facing all the troubles of traversal, and  time.  They came in the vehicles they have, doing Bhajans, singing songs, doing Kolatam, doing chanting of Jaisrimannarayana Vishnu Sahasranama, Rama nama, dancing in groups, in different constumes etc.  A great sight of unity among people.  A great sight of festival that brought people together, a great blessing of our Acharya.  Second Issue of English Bhakthinivedana was also released during the programme. 
              Worshipping own god and respecting others has been wonderfully received by those people.  Medical Camps and Veterinary camps were conducted.  Children from various schools and colleges took active part in the programme.  They got much inspired by the principles of Githa Jyothi.  The Githa Jyothi stickers were distributed throughout which remember us the principles of Githa Jyothi again and again. 
              HH Sri Swamiji visited a number of Tribal Areas and backward areas.  HH assured them of the Divine Help and inspired them to take active part in the social service activities and in socialworks.  HH cautioned people to be aware of those who are trying to split the society in the name of caste conversions showing the prey of food, shelter and money.  HH reiterated to follow your own religion, your own faith, your own duties and respect all others.  If anybody looks down one section of people then, such people should not be allowed to do so; Also, they should be alerted of their fault.  People were highly blessed and there was a sort of movement in them as they realised the truth of what should be one's policy in following a  religion and in doing one's duties.
              The programme has been highly successful as the message reached thousands of people, by the blessings of our A:cha:rya, Jagadguru, HH Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji. 
                The whole programme was initiated by Sriman Murali Krishnam Raju   Chairman  MAA TV who was highly  inspired by his mother.  A number of organisations and individuals took part in doing their service during the programme. 
                 Jai Srimannarayana !