Los Angeles Ashram Inauguration
THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM had declared to us that the Los Angeles Ashram would happen before October 2005 – we were now targeting the inauguration of the Los Angeles Ashram on September 3, 2005, almost a full month ahead of October 2005. Preparations for the ashram inaugurations started in full swing. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM ordered a lot of items for the inauguration ceremonies from Bharat. A lot of items had to be airlifted since we did not have much time. Now the clock started ticking and there was the buzz and excitement as a lot of work needed to get done in a timely manner.
The layout of the ashram at Duarte
The inauguration day, September 3, 2005 was a beautiful day. We started the activities early in the morning. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM performed a beautiful homa in the morning. A few close devotees attended this ceremony. After the ceremony, we performed gurupooja to our master, to respect him and to thank him for coming into our lives and for showering his grace on us. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM then handed over the keys to each of the apartments ceremoniously. We gave each apartment a name including names such as Bidadi, Omkareshwar, Shambala, Arunachala etc, each name was an important place during THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's wandering days and to his mission. After early morning ceremonies, the public program to officially inaugurate the ashram was held at 10 am. The inauguration proclamation was followed by a beautiful discourse THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM delivered on what it means to live in an ashram. He went on to describe the great social system and joint family system that existed in Hindu villages where there is so much of help and social support. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM then went on to say that the current ashram system he is creating will allow us to re-live the rich Vedic system that was created by our ancestors and how this can help everyone live with a sense of belonging and community.
THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM with the first group of ashramites at the ashram in Los Angeles. A few ashramites and their children were not present for this photograph
After the ceremony, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM gave energy darshan to all devotees. This was followed by a grand dinner that THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM served personally to all attendees. We had various cultural programs followed by dancing and kirtans that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Thus, the Los Angeles Ashram started, with 12 ashramites who moved from all over the country and came together to help start the Nithyananda Mission in USA. It is from these beginnings that we are now forming ashrams all over USA and other parts of the world.