Kalpa Vruksh Jaisi Tava Chaaya, Guru Dev Ki Adbhuth Maya...

Kalpa Vruksh - Guru Mandir Chennai (Chintadaripet)

"Kalpa Vruksh" Jaisi Tava Chaaya, Guru Dev Ki Adbhuth Maya...one of the key lines of famous "Guru Chaalisa" gets life at Guru Mandir [Chennai, Chintadaripet]. The is the first of its kind ever in a Guru Mandir and is unprecedented.

The Kalpa Vruksh has been sculpted and fixed at the main entrance (roof) into the Guru Mandir facing Guru Dev. This marvelous piece of architecture is not just symbolic, but is a window to reach our Guru Dev with sincere and selfless prayers and best wishes for our near and dear ones. It is believed that the wishes sought under the blessing of Kalpa Vruksh comes true to life. At the very least, we have a means to aspire and share our best wishes and look forward to Guru Dev for his directions and guidance in order to lead us towards them. 

I am sure, we all have either experienced or will do so of Guru Dev's blessings in our lives. 

Jai Guru Dev.

1-2-3 rd Birth Anniversary of Shanti Guru Dev

Click here for Guru Dev - Global Darshan

15-Feb-2013 will be a landmark day in the annals of history as 123 rd Birth Anniversary of Guru Dev. Not just that, it is his Diksha Divas also.

His holiness and blessings has been felt in each one of our lives. What is astonishing is that this Guru with no disciples, continues to make his mark by leaps and bounds across growing number of Guru Bhakts. We get to see more and more of his temples being built across the country. This emphasizes the spirit and belief of Guru Bhakts.

On this auspicious day of his, it is important to revisit a few of his preachings and draw out even more greater strength and directions to lead our lives better.

My understanding is that our faith in Guru Dev, gives us a strong shoulder to rely and trust upon. This shoulder - always and continues to listen tirelessly to our moments of joy and despair, thoughts, wishes and aspirations, trials and tribulations of life etc. It is nicely put in one of his Bhajan "सुनता है तू मन की मेरे, आके में तुझे सुनाता रहूँ..." .  But while doing so, it make us feel lighter and keeps our antennas active. This helps us in determining / reception of right directions and guidance. And many a times, in pursuit of his directions with our heart and soul, we realize prayers turning into reality.

Here are a few quotes from his speeches/discourse, which emphasizes the need to have unshakable belief.

1. जब तक तुम्हारे दिल में श्रद्धा की बात नहीं जम जाए, तब तक में आगे नहीं चलूँगा ...
2. धर्म श्रद्धा का विषय है , बुद्धि का विषय नहीं है। श्रद्धा बिन सर्व क्रियाएं निष्फल है।
3. श्रद्धा आना बहुत दुर्लब हैं .....
4. मै केवल पथ प्रदर्शक हूँ, जो पथिकों को यह तो बतलाता है कि अमुक स्थान यहां से कितनी दूरी पर हैं।
5. एक क्षण भर भी सत पुरुष का योग मिले तो भव सिन्धु से तरने को नौका के समान है।

Someone wise mentioned - "Trusting Gurudev is the biggest privilege we have...no matter what he will take care of us..." Lets pray and hope that we will continue to get his blessing and holiness, in leading our lives.

"तूने किये जो उपकार है, एहसान तेरा हैं मुझ पे गुरू!

Jai Guru Dev.

Upcoming Guru Mandir: Chaitanya Puri, Hyderabad (India)

Jai Guru Dev!

A new Shri Shanti Surishwarji Guru Mandir is under construction in Chaitanyapuri, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh, India). Consecration (प्रतिष्टा) is planned in 2014 - closer to Vasanth Panchami. Date is yet to be finalized.

The Temple address is:

Shri Shanti Surishwarji Guru Mandir Trust

1-5-872, New Maruthi Nagar, Guru Mandir Marg,

Landmark: Near to Jain Temple,

Chaitanyapuri,

Hyderabad - 500060, Andhra Pradesh (India).

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/shantigurudev?fref=ts

Below are a few key highlights and facts of this Guru Mandir:

• Construction under progress on a total area of 16,430 square feet
• Gambara height is 63 ft and Rang mandap height is 45 ft
• Shanti Guru Jain Bhavan is also under construction in the vicinity (Ground plus 3 floors), total 9,000 square feet
• About 21,000 cubic feet white makrana (1.5) and about 8,000 cubic feet white kumari makrana to be used

The left picture provides an overview of the temple progress as of 21-Oct-2012.

There are many donation opportunities (e.g. रंग मंडप , मुख्य प्रवेश दरवाजा etc.) available towards the successful construction and completion of this temple. For any inquiry, below are the contact details.

Trust Board Member details:

Chairman - Shri. Dhanji Lakmashi Sawla

Advisor - Shri. Surendramal Lunia

Project Chairman & Vice-Chairman - Shri. Gautam Chand Gugulia

Vice Chairman - Shri. Shanti Lal Mamaniya

Managing Chairman - Shri. Shalibhadra Kataria

Treasurer - Shri. Padam Kothari

Land Line: +91-040-2404-2300

Mobile: +91-92463-61008, +91-98480-37059, +91-98491-56948

Mandoli Guru Mandir Bhakti - 31st Dec 2012

This was my first time in Mandoli (Rajasthan, India) when crossing two calendar years, 2012 into 2013. The Christmas vacations and school holidays in most parts of India generated quite a large number of travellers visiting Rajasthan and many families and Sanghs visiting Guru Mandir in Mandoli for Guru Dev's darshan and blessings.

Guru Bhakti was organized for two days - 30th and 31st with many artists across India offering their songs & prayers to Guru Dev. The turn out seen was unprecedented not just from India but also from across the world (Singapore, London etc.). The ardent Guru Bhakti kept everyone at warmth through the cold winter nights, lasting until 6 AM in the morning. The singers included many members of Shanthi Mandal such as Bhavesh ji Baid (Rajnand Gaon), Manoj ji Surana (Mumbai), Subash ji Porwal (Mumbai), Mahendar ji Kochar (Bikaner), Praveen Chopra ji / Nitesh ji (Bangalore) and others.

The Angi for Guru Dev on 31st was very creative and contextual. It was over seen by Guru Bhakth - Shri Vinay Kumar ji Kochar from Ahmedabad (Bikaner). The Angi was so rich and beautiful, I wonder that it must have made Guru Dev consider - "...एक बार के लिये में थोड़ी देर इन मूर्तियों में समा जाऊं..."

The 31st Dec 2012 Bhakti also hosted the release of a new Guru Dev ki Bhakti - Album (CD) titled "तेरे चलाये से चले नैया गरीब की ... " (<=click here to download), sung by Bhavesh ji Baid [Rajnandgoan].

For sure, this trip made me discover "तेरा बिना में कुछ भी नहीं , पहचान मेरी है तुझ  से गुरु... " 

Jai Guru Dev

Below are the pictures of the Guru Dev Angi in Mandoli (31-Dec-2012).

मालिक मेरे महाजन मेरे 

देखूं तूजे मुस्कुराता रहूँ 

बोलती है मूर्ती बुलाके देखिये

गुरुवर की छाँव में

तेरे चलाए से चले नैया गरीब की 

सारे तीर्थ धाम आपके चरणों में