Guru Mandala & Other Pujas
Shambhavi Sahita Gurumandalarchana
The primary objective of the GuruMandala puja is to pay obeisance to all gurus of the past going back to Aadi Guru, starting the current one.
On the sacred occasion of Guru Pournami 2025, GRD Iyers’ GuruCool students and devotees gathered in Dayton, Ohio, for a truly rare and powerful Vedic celebration — the Shadanvaya Shambhavi Sahita Gurumandalarchana, guided by Guruji Shri Ramesh Natarajan and Guruma Smt. Sridevi Gayathri. This auspicious, day-long worship was an immersion into the deepest aspects of Sri Vidya tradition, offering participants a chance to experience the living energy of the Guru–Shishya parampara in its truest form.
The event began with a warm welcoming of Guruji and Guruma, marked by the Guru Paaduka Puja, symbolizing humility and devotion to the lineage. The main ritual was the eight-hour long Shadanvaya Shambhavi Sahita Gurumandalarchana, performed with devotion, precision, and heartfelt chanting.
As the Sri Vidya mantras resounded through the hall, the power of the ritual became unmistakable. The sustained focus of the upasakas, the disciplined chanting, and the divine guidance of Guruji and Guruma together created a powerful current of spiritual energy. The ceremony continued seamlessly from morning until evening, leaving participants feeling both uplifted and inwardly transformed.
That evening, the community gathered once more for the Guru Paaduka Puja in the temple, performed before Guruji and Guruma. Students felt honored to be part of such a sacred act on the very day dedicated to the Guru, an experience many described as life-changing.
Participants described the atmosphere as filled with palpable divinity — where time itself seemed to dissolve into mantra and devotion. The chants of Guruji and Guruma echoed with a spiritual intensity that elevated the collective energy of the gathering. Despite the length and depth of the rituals, the community showed no signs of fatigue; instead, many reported feeling spiritually energized, deeply content, and profoundly connected to the presence of the Divine.
Beyond the formal rituals, the weekend highlighted GuruCool’s holistic approach to learning and community building. Students of all ages showcased their talents through music, devotional dance, chanting, and lighthearted cultural performances. These moments of joy and creativity balanced the day of sadhana, reinforcing GuruCool’s ethos that spiritual growth thrives alongside companionship, culture, and celebration.
Expressions of gratitude flowed freely from those attending.
- One participant shared: *“This has been an unforgettable experience. The warmth, kindness, and grace I felt here have inspired me to continue my learning and to one day perform the Sri Vidya Puja myself.”*
- Another reflected: *“It was a struggle to leave — the love of Guruji and Guruma, the group chanting, and the inspiration from fellow students will stay with me forever.”*
The Guru Pournami celebrations in Dayton showcased the very essence of GuruCool events: rare and authentic Vedic rituals carried out with precision, the uplifting guidance of a living Guru and Guruma, and the nurturing of a global spiritual family. For students, it was not just a ritual but a profound journey into devotion, discipline, and divine experience — reinforcing GuruCool’s mission to preserve, share, and embody the transformative wisdom of the Sri Vidya tradition worldwide.