Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Thennangur Advanced Course Experience.




As we drive past Thennangur on the highway it would appear like any other sleepy rural village of India; till we go through the lush green paddy fields and come face to face with a very impressive 120 ft tall gopuram of Shri Panduranga at the Dakshina Halasyam. The craftsmanship that has gone into making this shrine is truly captivating and remains etched in the minds of pilgrims; more so the clarity and devotion with which the rituals get explained by the Pundits.


Within the complex is a magnificent hall where the Chennai volunteers organized a Part 2 AMC last week for the third year in succession. The hall had witnessed years of Nama sankirtan and little wonder the participants felt at home from the very moment they stepped in. The warm musical welcome from Shri.Arunji on the opening day followed by three days of Silence and Sadhana gave every one a life time experience. As the participant from the US explained that it made a huge difference for her to have taken the course here. There was not a dull moment from the start to finish. The early morning meditation with Shri. Arunji and the yoga sessions Asokanji were indeed special. Many of us didn’t have the heart to leave the place. The precious knowledge and sadhanas filled our hearts with deepest gratitude to the Volunteers who made it possible, the Course Director and his efficient team and above all the grace of our Guru.