Alpha to Omega Newsletter - April 2024

From the Editor's Desk

Hari Om Friend,

April 2024 heralded the auspicious beginning of the Chaitra Shubhankara Navaratri, which commenced from Gudi Padwa, considered the first day of the Hindu New Year. The Chaitra Shubhankara Navaratri brings Shree Ramnavami and Shree Hanuman Pournima with it.  

Like every year, “Shree Ramnavami Utsav” was celebrated by Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation and allied organisations at Shree Harigurugram, Mumbai, while “Shree Hanuman Pournima Utsav” is held at Atulitbaldham, Ratnagiri. 

Another very important event for last month was the ‘Mega Blood Donation Camp’, held on Sunday, 21st April 2024, in Mumbai and across 120 other locations across India.  

Chaitra Shubhankara Navaratri

This year, the Chaitra Shubhankara Navaratri commenced on 9th April.  

At Shree Aniruddha Gurukshetram, his holy period began with Shree ShivaGangaGauri Mangal Snanam followed by the Todey (तोडे) Miravnuk (procession) accompanied by the beats of Mangal Vaadyam, and the hails of ‘Jai Jagadamba Jai Durge’.  

During Navratri, Shraddhavans performed the “Shree Ambadnya Ishtika Poojan” at their home. This Ishtika, the holy brick made from paper pulp, is worshipped as the form of Jagadamba Mahishasuramardini. 

Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu has described the significance of reading and reciting Matruvatsalyavindanam and performing the Ramrasayan Ratrapathan during Navratri. Shraddhavans thus followed it and performed this reading at Shree Aniruddha Gurukshetram and all the Trivikram Maths. 

Shree Ramnavami Utsav

This year’s Ramnavami, the first after the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, was very special for everyone.  

Like every year, Ramnavami was celebrated at Shree Harigurugram in Bandra (East) on 17th April 2024. Moreover, as per the resolve of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha, this year, ‘Shree Jagadamba Mahishasurmardini Poojan’ was performed for the first time at Shree Ramnavami Utsav, which will continue henceforth.  

For this Poojan, the Swayambhu ‘Matrupashan’, present and worshipped in the Devghar at the residence of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha, was welcomed at the Utsav venue accompanied by the Mangal Vadyam. Following this, ‘Shree Jagadamba Mahishasurmardini Poojan’ was performed at the hands of Parampujya Nandai.

Shree Hanuman Pournima Utsav at Atulitbaldham, Ratnagiri

Shree Hanuman Pournima Utsav was celebrated at Atulitbaldham, Ratnagiri. In this Utsav, Shree Ashwattha Maruti Shila, the rock-cut sculpture carved by Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu himself, was duly worshipped with sacred Poojan rituals. Moreover, the Hanuman Taarak Mantra was chanted 54 times, followed by the continuous chanting of Shree Panchamukh Hanumat Kavach. Besides, Shraddhavans performed Shree Panchakumbhabhishek with great love and devotion and sought the blessings of Shree Hanuman.

Mega Blood Donation Camp 2024

The Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management, the Dilasa Medical Trust & Rehabilitation Centre and allied organisations held the annual ‘Mega Blood Donation Camp’ on 21st April 2024 in Mumbai and at 120 other locations across India, was a great success. Along with the organisers, blood donors and volunteers, there was highly commendable participation and support from 166 blood banks (39 in Mumbai, 9 in Pune and 118 pan-India).

This annual blood donation drive collected: 

– 14,283 units of blood in total

– 7,029 of which were in Mumbai.

– 1,020 units of blood were collected in Pune.

– 6,234 units of blood were collected at other pan-India locations.

Interestingly, from 1999 till date, a cumulative collection of 2,00,000 units of blood was achieved with the grace of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu. 

This massive collection was achieved with dedication all the way from 1999 until this last Camp, thanks to the efforts and contribution of blood donors, volunteers and all allied organisations, the concerned blood banks, and, of course, the guidance and grace of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu.

AADM Report – April 2024

Disaster Management Basic Courses:

The Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management conducted four Disaster Management Basic Courses in April 2024.  

AADM Seva:

The Disaster Management Volunteers (DMVs) of the Aniruddha’s Academy of Disaster Management performed Seva at the following places during the month of April 2024.