Enthralling Ramayana Katha and Mass Prayer at Namadwaar

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MANVEL: Srimad Ramayana Navaham – a 9-day English discourse series on the timeless Ramayana – was rendered by Sri Poornimaji, disciple of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji at Namadwaar Houston from March 12 to 20. Sri Poornimaji also conducted a Mahamantra Mass Prayer during Namadwaar’s sixth anniversary celebrations on March 27.

In her unique, enthralling Ramayana katha, Sri Poornimaji captivated the listening devotees with her references, stories and songs from many saints, various scriptures, numerous commentaries and many different Ramayanas – Valmiki, Tulsidas, Kamban, Thyagaraja Ramayana, Shuka Ramayana, Bhoja Champu, Raghuvamsa and several others. She beautifully brought out the essence and nuances of the popular stories that one may know only summarily; gave deep insights into the philosophy and Dharma behind many of the incidents in the great epic; and also helped listeners discover practical lessons for everyday life that abound in the Ramayana. Best of all, Sri Poornimaji portrayed Rama in a completely new light, flowering a fresh love and regard in the listeners’ hearts for this great incarnation who endured so much simply for the sake of mankind. The katha began with extolling the greatness of Ramayana on the first day and concluded with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam on the final ninth day. Just two hours a day was not enough to linger and relish all the gems that Ramayana contains, and left the listeners wanting for more.

Sri Tulsidas Ramayan parayana was performed daily before the katha. On the final day morning, Seetha Kalyanam was celebrated grandly at Namadwaar. The deities of Sri Premika Varadan and Sri Madhuri Sakhi were given a sacred bath and decorated beautifully. Following this, the scene of Rama’s entry into Mithila and His breaking the bow was enacted. Sri Rama and Seetha Devi were then taken out on a procession around Namadwaar. When they finally arrived back to their palace, they were wedded in style, to the singing of sampradaya bhajans.

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On March 27, Namadwaar prayer house’s sixth anniversary was celebrated with the highlight Mahamantra mass prayer. Several devotees, including children, shared their personal experiences with the Mahamantra. Sri Poornimaji then gave a very inspiring talk on the greatness and value of the Mahamantra, and prayed specially for many specific prayers. This was followed by an enthusiastic, reverberating chanting by the entire assembled crowd. Everyone felt rejuvenated and inspired after the prayer. Earlier in the evening, Gopa Kuteeram children from Cypress and Pearland enacted a play on “Prahlada – The Greatest Devotee” and a group of Houston singers and instrumentalists presented a melodious performance of HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s kirtans.

To commemorate Namadwaar’s anniversary each year, Love to Share Foundation and Global Organization for Divinity conduct an annual giving program where they provide needed supplies and donations to local service organizations. Organizations that have benefited in the past from this annual program include Forgotten Angels, SEARCH Homeless Services, Houston Area Parkinson’s Society, Monarch and Westview schools for special needs children, and many others. This year a food, clothes, baby and hygiene supplies drive was conducted and hundreds of items were donated to Pearland Neighborhood Center.

Namadwaar Houston prayer house is located at 3642 Bailey Ave, Manvel TX in the Pearland area. It is open Saturdays 8 am-7 pm, Sundays 8-11 am and 4-7 pm, and weekdays 7-8 am and 6-7 pm.
For more information about Namadwaar, Global Organization for Divinity and Love to Share Foundation America, visit www.godivinity.org and www.lovetosharefoundation.org