By By The Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji
Swami Ganapathi Sachidananda at Trinidad and Tobago for Hanuman Chalisa Pranayam, year 2016 at 85ft tall Hanuman Moorti at Dattatreya Centre Trinidad and Tobago
DATTA YOGA CENTRE Established in 1986 by His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre, located in Carapichaima Trinidad and Tobago is publicly acclaimed as an ‘exquisite architectural masterpiece’ which attracts visitors from all over the world. The current temple structure was built according to the Dravidian style of architecture of South India 2003.
A magnificent 85-foot tall statue of the Hindu god, Lord Hanuman located in the village of Carapichaima, Trinidad. Built according to the Dravidian style of architecture of South India, this is the largest Hanuman murti outside India.
Hanuman is known as the best warrior among the Hindu gods since he protected the others from evil. He is considered the most revered disciple of Lord Rama for his efforts and bravery in defeating Ravan and assisting Lord Ram, Seeta and Ram’s brother Lakshman. Devotees pray to him for strength, courage and protection. No wonder he stands tall at 85 feet on the grounds of the Dattatreya Yoga Center and Mandir in Carapachaima. His magnificence is a reminder to all devotees that they should grow in height spiritually. The statue, consecrated in 2003, is the tallest in the Western hemisphere and second tallest in the world.
This centre is part of his worldwide Spiritual Mission to remove the darkness which clouds the personality of man and the nations of the world, to re-establish dharma or righteous conduct and to awaken the divinity within, for man to realize the true purpose of his existence on earth.
His Holiness Sri Swamiji, like all true spiritual masters of India, do not teach or preach religion. Religion is man-made. The prayers and rules of religion in the western world are formulated by their leaders. In India, the ancient Vedas, more than 5,000 years old prescribe the original prayers, pujas, ceremonies and procedures of spirituality. The Vedas did not establish a religion. Its teachings acknowledge the supremacy of God, the Creator of the entire universe.
The Vedas were revealed by God to the Rishis to serve and guide man on his life’s journey on planet earth. The contents of the Vedas cannot be changed or altered or amended by anyone and have been accepted by all followers as the true source of Sanatan Dharma or the eternal religion or the way of life which is meant for all humanity and not restricted only for the people of India or the Hindus of the world.
It is man’s ego which has led him to establish religion not as a true spiritual pathway to God realization but as a means to make a profit and to promote his own self interest for fame, power and fortune.
The Mission of Sri Swamiji is spiritual and charitable. He is an orthodox practitioner of Vedic thoughts and rules and has established the Gurukul system at His Ashram and runs a hospital, school and health clinic among other charities.
His Holiness Sri Swamiji has captivated the world with his message through music and singing. He and his celestial band of musicians have performed in every famous hall in most of the big cities of the world like, London, Canada, New York, Australia, Singapore, Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore and he has composed and sang bhajans in several languages.
His holiness Sri Swamiji is a leader and an outstanding Spiritual Master. He has traveled the world several times spreading His teaching and establishing branches of His Mission in all the continents.
Sri Swamiji’s borth on the 26th May 1942 on a rock at the confluence of the kaveri and the Guptagamini Rivers in Mekedatu District in South India in the State of Karnataka was predicted by Pundits and Muslim Fakirs and holy men. At birth, his body was covered with ash and a garland of saligrams around his neck. He was born with siddhis and powers which make him God-incarnate or the avatar of Lord Dattatreya. He is an Avadhoota. He has no attachment to the world but he believes strongly in the performance of rituals and encourages all his devotees to do likewise.
It is rare in anyone’s lifetime to be blessed to have a Sadguru like His Holiness Sri Swamiji. Unlike an ordinary teacher or guru or Pundit, His Holiness is a true perfect Master, God-incarnate, who assures his followers that He will be at their death-bed whenever they are leaving this world. This is the assurance that Sri Swamiji gives all those who surrender at His feet.
