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The shibir is called "Maa Sarveshwari Sannidihi Parva" and today is
the first day. This is a historical event. Everyone gathered at 6:30
am in front of Vamanbhai's house and offered pranams. Ganga ben gave
Prasad. All Ladies sang a special song that Maa wrote for this
occasion.
Shree Panditji marked the start of the Morning program with blowing of
the conch shell. Everyone started on the Prabhat Feri which ended at
the Main entrance hall. At 6:30 am it is pretty dark here. One can see
bright shiny stars in the sky! We see some people getting heat from
open fire started on sides of the street. We also saw cows and
buffalos - very symbol of villages.
Above: Entrance to the Main Hall
As instructed, rows of four people started on this holy walk chanting
Prabhu's bavani. The line of people was very long. Camera men zoomed
around to catch the first day of the Shibir 2003. At the entrance
hall, on one side ladies sat and on the other side men.
Row by row people got up as members of the Maa's family welcomed each
one with Chandan Tilak, Mala, Gaumukhi and Prasad, and then entered
the main hall. The Hall is huge, built on an open field. The hall is
packed with modern amenities: state of the art sound system, and high
tech multi camera video system to catch all events of the shibir.
Everyone was awaiting for Maa to arrive. Finally, when they saw that
the members of Maa's family entered the hall carrying Yogeshwarji's
big swaroop, everyone sang dhoon and started mantra Gaan. The swaroop
was placed in the centre of the stage. After Prabhuji's swaroop
arrived, everyone was waiting for Maa. Girls and boys of Kapura school
had come dressed in school uniform with decorative pots and flags.
They had prepared garba for Maa's arrival. Ladies were also ready in
Red sarees with Ghado (large eather pot) on their head all along the
way.
Soon we saw Maa from distance. She was holding swaroop in her hand.
Parth was waving fan on Maa. Pooja showered flowers on Maa's pathway.
Maa seemed very happy. This was Maa's first Darshan. Maa was taking
steps slowly. Cameraman and videographers hovered back and forth to
take capture this historic moment.
Maa slowly stepped up on the stage and placed Prabhuji's swaroop on
the Hinchko (swing). Maa did Pranams and took her seat. Hosts did
Pranam and offered flowers to Maa. There is always an element of
surprise with Maa. Maa got up and did chandlo (dot on the forehead) to
all the family members on the stage moreover she bowed down to elders
in her family! Everyone in the hall was moved with this gesture of
Maa. She also put special badges on all the family members.
Welcome dance was presented by girls. Then begin the Pranam
session. All little children were given chance to do Pranam with Maa
on the stage. Pranam lasted for about half hour, Maa completing 262
pranams. Maa was very happy that all the children did pranams with
her. Many of them were from the Kapura. Maa said 'Who will do pranams
at home?' All the children put up their fingers. Maa had got candy
cane specially from America! Maa said if the children did pranams with
Maa everyday, she would give them different Prasad everyday! So
children gets encouragement.
Maa called on Dhruv - a youngster from Canada. Maa praised his efforts
of doing long pranams with Maa in Calgary. On many occasions Dhruv has
done over 1000 pranams. He also regularly does 111 pranams everyday -
saying this Maa garlanded Dhruv. Everyone clapped. This ended the 1st
morning session.
Above: A glimps of the crowd
During light morning breakfast everyone was served banana, apple and
warm glass of milk. Fruits are served on paper plates and milk in
plastic glass and paper napkin to clean hands.
In the second morning session, homage (Shraddhanjali) was paid to
deceased illustrious figures of the Kapura. Sushilaben spoke on
Vamanbhai, Panditji spoke on Ishwarbhai Parmarthi, Kalyan and
Jyotsanaben spoke on Mohanbhai. Speakers narrated their personal
experiences about these great people of Kapura.
At lunch break, everyone was served with puri, shaak, rice, daal, and
Kapura's famous Chhas (Butter milk), Papad and Salad.
In the afternoon session, Shri Yogeshwarji's Amrut vani (speech) was
heard. Then Prabhudasbhai, Ambubhai and Vasudevbhai unfolded and
started presentation of the Note book designed and printed especially
for the Shibir. A calendar with Ambe maa's picture and in the
background a map of Swargrohan was also prepared on the back of which
all noble works of the Sarvamangal Charitable trust were noted. The
calendar was inaugurated by Gulabben of Panama. These items were good
for memory of the Shibir. Cost of each item was mere 10 rupees!
In the evening session, Vadodara's Minalben Merai entertained everyone
with her mastery on South Indian classical dances. She performed five
dances! She is not only a dancer but professional teacher besides
being a devotee of Maa. She had to face a tough selection process but
she came out first! She believes that with Maa's inspiration, she
managed to rapidly advanced in her field. Currently she is working for
Singapore Fine Arts Academy (SIFA) at Singapore.
(Above: Little Tejan from LA leading Maa to the Display)
In the evening session, a play was presented by youth devotees from
Los Angeles, USA. For this special occasion they had prepared a
beautiful sculpture of India in tri-colors. Little Tejan in
traditional clothes came forward and asked Maa to have a glimpse of
it. Maa held his fingers and went to the display. Maa was like a
child with child! Nisha sang Desh-Bhakti song. The whole presentation
by LA group was very entertaining.
So much is happening in this "Maa Sarveshwari Sannidhi Parva" that you
cannot possible document everything. Even in above description, so
many things may have been left out. I hope Maa will publish a book on
this Grand Event. That's it for now. |
