By the immense grace of Sri Swamiji and Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Houston Namadwaar’s 3rd anniversary was celebrated wonderfully from March 28 to 31st, 2013. Several devotees of Sri Swamiji traveled from all over US to celebrate with us. The weather during the entire weekend was simply a treat as it was just perfect including the final little drench of grace of rains on Sunday evening after all the festivities ended. It was indeed Sri Swamiji’s grace that weather-wise there were no hiccups, as the original forecast was rains all through Friday-Sunday.
On Thursday and Friday, March 28-29 2013, 12 hour Akhanda Nama was performed at Namadwaar. On Saturday (March 30th 2013) morning Sri Narayananji spoke on the greatness of Divine Name.
On Saturday afternoon, we had the grand celebration of the anniversary. About 150 people attended the commemoration program. The Mayor of Manvel (Ms. Delores Martin) and a philanthropist and retired physician, Dr. Sulabha Hardikar, presided over as Chief Guests and were very happy to be part of our events. The Houston Area Parkinson Society (represented by Ms. Leann Randolph) received our medical supplies donations and were very thankful for our contributions. Also we gave donated food and clothing to SEARCH Homeless Services in Houston.
Gopa Kuteeram children from Cypress & Pearland (both in Houston area) & Dallas performed a Naraharisonar musical play. It was very well appreciated by all the visitors.
Next Ms. Surabi Veeraragavan danced (bharatanatyam) to three kirtans of Sri Swamiji – Gambheera Srinivasa, Govinda Varai & Govinda Kamadhenum Bhajami. It was a spellbinding performance!
Then Ms. Vaishnavi Narasimhan performed a classical vocal concert singing Sri Swamiji’s kirtans in a pure classical rendition for about 1 hr. The crowd was awed by her performance to Sri Swamiji’s divine compositions! Sri Swamiji’s songs that she sang included Kondadu Panpadu, Krishna Bhakti Samrajye, Namami Sadgurudevam, Eppadi Kettal, Gagane Sancharam. Vaishnavi was accompanied on the violin by Deepa Ramachandran and on mridangam by Vijay Ramamurthi. Smt. Thara Narasimhan from Hindus of Greater Houston then appreciated the afternoon’s cultural performances and the artistes.
A brief mass prayer was conducted at the conclusion of this event.
Later that evening, Sri Ramaswamyji gave a wonderful pravachan on the divya charithra of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Later that night, for about 3 hours a Madhura Geetham bhajan session was performed, singing Sri Swamiji’s kirtans.
On Sunday (March 31 2013) morning a Nagara Sankirtan was organized along with participation from ISKCON youth group, Ayyappa group, Orissa Community. A total of about 40 people walked and danced on the streets around Namadwaar for about 1 hour singing the Mahamantra!
The festivities concluded that day with Anjaneyar Utsavam.
