Devotees, all dressed in red, came out in their numbers on Carnival Tuesday for a Hanuman Day of Prayers at the Hanuman murti in Carapichaima, Trinidad, to perform pujas in preparation for the arrival of Swami Ganapathi Satchidananda, founder and Spiritual Head of the Dattatreya Yoga Center.
More that 60 altars were laid out at the base of the 85-foot Hanuman murti for the performance of Hanuman Pooja. Led by Pandit Sunil Sitahal Maharaj, devotees were guided in executing the rituals on the altars before them.
Prior to the performance of pooja the Datta Kirtan Mandali joined hands with Pandit Narad, Pandit Beesram, Pandit Krishen Ramdeen and other devotees in the repeated chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa. The vigor of the chanting was accompanied with clapping of the hands, creating at an atmosphere of peace, joy and devotion.
Many distinguished sons and daughters joined in this spiritual exercise including the Member of Parliament for Couva North, the honorable Ravi Ratiram, Pandit Shami Maharaj of the Hindu Parivar Credit Union, and Dr. Mandreka Bahal, a well-known medical practitioner and devotee. Dressed in a red outfit, MP Ratiram said: “I feel honored that this spiritual exercise is being held within my constituency and I am supporting it 100%. We need the intervention of Lord Hanuman to help us stem the rising crime rate in our country. Only the Lord can save us now!”
Gyan Ramlogan, a trustee of the Datta Yoga Center, said: “The Hanuman Day of Prayers is designed to build the vibration for the arrival of Swami Ganapathi on March 25, 2023. Swamiji is coming for a special three-night Rudra Yagya, the first of its type in the country and to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hanuman murti and the celebration of Ram Naumi, the birth of Sri Ram.”
Logistics including parking of vehicles and security are critical areas for the success of a program of this nature. Leading in this field is a team of eight dedicated devotees led by Sone Ramnath. This team is a product of Seva TT. “Our concern is the safety and security of the people present here today,” said Sone whose dedication and commitment to service personifies the teachings of Hanumanji.
