Sahasra Chandi, SV Puja & Poorna Deeksha
The GRD Iyers GuruCool organized a spiritually enriching five-day event in India, commencing on February 1st. The gathering brought together Sri Vidya upasakas and members of Sri Amrutha Chaithanya Mandali for an elaborate celebration of divine rituals and teachings under the guidance of Guruji Shri Ramesh Natarajan and Guruma Smt. Sridevi Gayathri. The event featured sacred performances including the Sahasra Chandi Parayanam and Homam, Sri Vidya Navavarana Pooja, and the rare Poorna Deeksha initiation for selected disciples. Over the course of five days, seekers immersed themselves in ritualistic worship, devotional chanting, and deep spiritual communion in the serene ambience of Devipuram, the abode of Devi Sahasrakshi.
The preparatory rituals began with the installation of Rudra Kalashams and Devi Kalashams, essential for the forthcoming ceremonies. On the opening day, the event commenced with a Gopuja (worship of the sacred cow), followed by the Shodashopachara Pooja offered to Devi Sahasrakshi at Sri Meru Nilayam, Devipuram. A detailed Rudra Abhishekam to Lord Shiva was performed, paralleled by dedicated poojas to the Kalashams. The sanctified vibrations of these concurrent rituals created a profoundly divine atmosphere amidst the thousand Shiva Lingams that adorn the temple premises.
In the afternoon, hundreds of GuruCool members and local temple participants chanted the Durga Saptashati, beginning with elaborate Purvanga Nyasams. The resonance of synchronized voices reverberated through the temple, invoking a sacred energy palpable to all present. Each evening concluded with nourishing community meals that reflected both simplicity and togetherness.
In subsequent days, morning rituals included repeated offerings to Rudra and Devi Kalashams and recitation of Durga Saptashati, including the Rahasya Trayams, both at dawn and dusk. Upon completion of these recitations, the grand Chandi Homam was performed, an intense invocation embodying divine feminine energy. The ceremony stood out for featuring numerous women ritwiks trained by Guruji himself, symbolizing GuruCool’s inclusive philosophy of imparting knowledge beyond distinctions of gender, caste, or faith.
On the eve of the concluding day, the Sri Chakra Navavarana Pooja was performed by one hundred Sri Vidya upasakas together, creating a rare and magnificent sight. This all-night pooja, drenched in devotion and discipline, continued until the break of dawn. The final morning was devoted to the Poornabhishekam for select Sri Vidya upasakas who received their Poorna Deeksha directly from Guruji. As the last abhishekam concluded and devotees partook in a communal lunch, the event reached its serene closure.
Every moment at Devipuram exuded sacred energy. The simultaneous worship of Shiva and Shakti, the reverberation of mantras, and the fragrance of homa kalpas created a tapestry of spirituality that touched every participant profoundly. The temple’s geography—surrounded by lush hills—added to the sanctified aura, reminding participants of the presence of nature as Devi’s manifestation herself.
GuruCool’s carefully orchestrated schedule ensured that spiritual depth merged seamlessly with the joy of community living. Mornings began with breakfast shared in harmony, followed by the collective travel to the temple grounds where each seeker engaged in ritual or seva based on Guruji’s direction. The nights were filled with chants, music, and the luminous presence of lamps glowing before the Devi. The collective devotion of a hundred upasakas performing Sri Vidya pooja under one roof turned the space into a veritable ocean of divine energy—a transcendent sight that lingered in memory well after the event concluded.
A distinctive feature of the event was GuruCool’s celebration of inclusivity and shared learning. The presence of trained women ritwiks performing Agni Mukham and homams reflected Guruji and Guruma’s commitment to preserving scriptural authenticity while dismantling social barriers around traditional Vedic practices. The event also provided a stage for members from across regions—from India and abroad—to participate equally, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate their proficiency in sacred rites.
Participants from the Sri Amrutha Chaithanya Mandali collaborated closely in the organization of the poojas and chants. Their performance of Durga Saptashati and the Navavarana pooja displayed remarkable discipline and devotion, testifying to GuruCool’s systematic training methodology. The collective coordination of rituals, offerings, meals, and accommodations was itself a testimony to the GuruCool family spirit—one that perfectly mirrored the ancient gurukula tradition, where learning, living, and worship were unified experiences.
The devotees who attended carried back cherished memories of divine grace and human connection. For many, this event marked a spiritual homecoming. Some participants journeyed from distant lands after several years, reconnecting with both their Guru and fellow seekers. For one devotee who traveled from the USA after eleven years, the event became a fulfillment of long-held spiritual aspirations. Having recently completed training in the performance of Sri Chakra Navavarana Pooja, performing it for the first time before Devi Sahasrakshi at Devipuram felt like the culmination of years of learning—a dream transformed into experience.
The presence of Guruji, Parama Guru, and Parameshti Guruma together deeply moved participants, who felt blessed to witness such divine lineage united in one sanctified place. The familial warmth extended beyond ceremony—shared meals, morning gatherings, and heartfelt conversations nurtured bonds that transcended geography and language.
There were also moments when the natural surroundings inspired remembrance of guru-upadesha. When snakes appeared around the hilly terrain, participants recalled Guruji’s and Parama Guru’s teachings on the sacred symbolism of serpents and the protective mantras associated with them. Such episodes strengthened the sense of divine guardianship pervading every aspect of the event. As participants prepared to return home, they carried within them newfound strength, peace, and devotion—pledging to sustain the inner vibration awakened by these sacred days.
The five-day event at Devipuram was not merely a series of rituals—it was a living expression of GuruCool’s essence. It harmonized tradition with accessibility, scholarship with devotion, and individual growth with collective unity. The blessings of Guruji Shri Ramesh Natarajan and Guruma Smt. Sridevi Gayathri infused every moment, guiding seekers toward deeper insight and inner transformation.
As the echoes of chants faded and devotees bid farewell, the spiritual resonance of the Sahasra Chandi Parayanam and Sri Vidya Navavarana Pooja continued to linger in every heart. This sacred gathering reaffirmed the GuruCool’s mission: to cultivate seekers who live the wisdom of Sri Vidya not as doctrine, but as a living rhythm of love, discipline, and divine grace. With hearts full of gratitude and eyes set on the next gathering, the GuruCool family dispersed, carrying forward the luminous vibrations of Devipuram into their homes and lives.