Shivagiri Ashram of North America gears up for sacred consecration anniversary

WASHINGTON: The Shivagiri Ashram of North America (SANA) is finalising extensive preparations for its upcoming annual convention and the Gurudeva Consecration Anniversary, scheduled to be celebrated on May 23.

The high-profile spiritual event is expected to draw a large congregation of devotees from multiple states across the country, including New York, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Washington D.C., Arizona, California, and Texas.

A diverse itinerary of spiritual discourses and rituals has been scheduled for the anniversary. Keynote speakers include Dr. C. Krishnakumar, an eminent scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), alongside Swami Brahmananda and Swamini Chinmayi Devi—American citizens who embraced the monastic order under the revered lineage of Sree Narayana Guru.

The celebrations will feature a series of traditional rituals, including the Ashtottara Shatanamavali Mantrarchana (chanting of the 108 names), sacred homams (fire rituals) utilising mantras composed by Sree Narayana Guru himself, Kalasha Pooja, and Ganapathi Homam. The event will also offer dedicated sessions for meditation and yoga practice.

Swami Guruprasad, the spiritual director of the Ashram, will serve as the chief priest, solemnising the religious ceremonies.

The event's execution is being overseen by a comprehensive leadership council led by Ashram President Dr. Shivadasan Madhavan Channar, General Secretary Mini Anirudhan, and Vice Presidents A.P. Anilkumar and Manoj Kuttappan (Kerala Kaumudi family). Joining them in key administrative roles are Joint Secretary Sajan Natarajan, Treasurer Srini Ponnachan, and Sangeth Kumar.

Trust Board members Prasanna Babu, Shivan Raghavan, Srinivasan, Sreedharan, Vijayan Divakaran, Anoop Subramanian, Kavitha Sunil, Salimkumar, Ajitha Rajan, Rathnam Gopinathan, Madhuram Shivarajan, Saraswathyamma Rajan, Radhamani Komalan, Ashokan Vengassery, and Prasad Krishnan are actively leading the coordination.

The Guardian Council, comprising Sreedharamarajan, Chandramathi, Jayarajan, M.I. Damodaran, Chandrababu Surendran, Dr. Sudhakaran, and Ramakrishnan, is also providing necessary guidance for the successful conduct of the event.