GURU PURNIMA was celebrated at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on Friday, the 15th July 2011, by devotees with great fervor. Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna is regarded as both the Lord and Guru in one, and therefore addressed as ‘Thakur’ and ‘Guru Maharaj’ by all devotees of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.
On this Guru Purnima day, the marble idol of Sri Ramakrishna in the Temple was adorned with a new gerua (ochre) cloth and with beautiful flowers placed around. The Holy Mother’s photo on the right side of Sri Ramakrishna’s idol was adorned with a beautiful new pink saree with yellow border and Swamiji’s photo on the left side was also draped in a new gerua cloth. The entire garbha mandir was tastefully decorated with flowers including roses, lotus, gladioli, rajnigandha etc. A tent was laid in the lawn in front of the temple to facilitate the devotees.
The day started with a ‘Sehnai’ recital (on audio cassette) at 4.30 a.m. The main gate of the Temple was opened for devotees from 4.50 a.m. ‘Mangalarati’ started at 5.00 a.m. after the blowing of conch shell (Shank).
The Special Puja in the Temple started at 7.40 a.m. Devotional songs were rendered by Revered Swami Gunashrayanandaji and Shri Champak Chatterjee accompanied by Shri Ashok Brahmachari. During that period, Swami Shantatmanandaji Maharaj also rendered a bhajan. Chandipath in the Shayan Ghar was done by Br. Prasenjit Maharaj.
Homa was done after the special Puja. Pushpanjali pranam mantra was administered by Revered Swami Bhaktirasanandaji Maharaj. Ganges water was sprinkled in the hands of all devotees to purify themselves, flowers were given in their hands by volunteers, who collected them after pranams mantra was administered to them. These were then offered to Sri Sri Thakur. Swami Shantatmanandaji Maharaj addressed the devotees tracing the observance of Guru Purnima which is also called ‘Vyasa Purnima’ and highlighting the significance of observing this great day as Guru Purnima day for offering prayers and pranams to ‘Guru Maharaj’ (Sri Sri Thakur).
Devotees were served charanamrita and havan tilak in the lawns by volunteers. Most of them partook of the Prasad.
In the evening, special Bhajans followed the evening arati of Sri Ramakrishna. After Arati and Special Bhajan, all the assembled devotees were served boondi prasad in packets.