[GHHF] Ghar Waapasi in Tirupati; Arranged Special Darshan to Balaji for Ex-Christians; walking, singing and chanting Govinda Namas as they climb the steps to reach Tirumala.

20 Oct 2022 1208 Views

Octovio Paz (1914-1998) Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990. He served as  Mexico's ambassador to India from 1962 until 1968. This is what he says about Hindu art in his book In Light of India:
"The Hindu genius is a love for abstraction and, at the same time, a passion for the concrete image. At times it is rich, at others prolix.  It has created the most lucid and the most instinctive art. It is abstract and realistic, sexual and intellectual, pedantic and sublime. It lives between extremes, it embraces the extremes, rooted in the earth and drawn to an invisible beyond." 
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation has organized the Ghar Waapasi program in many Mandalas near Tirupati.  Our Associates K. Reddappa and  Rosaiah have been actively involved in visiting a number of villages in various villages and Mandalas in the Chittoor District. They talked to the Hindus in the village about our efforts to welcome back to the Hindu field those who converted to Christianity and sought input from Hindu activists.
27 Ex-Christians are being taken to have Darshan of Balaji
As we all know that our Pracharaks have worked diligently to welcome the Christians who were converted from Hinduism, back to Sanatana Dharma. Against all odds and pressure from Pastors, these ex-Christians braved to return to Hinduism. Many of them expressed their joy of returning as they were forced to embrace Christianity. 
    Our Pracharaks have been in touch with these Returnees to make sure that they are not exploited by the missionaries. Sri Reddappa and Sri Rosaiah have organized a pilgrimage to Tirumala to have darshan of Lord Venkateshwara to make them feel proud of their ancestral religion. To solidify their faith, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation decided to arrange this pilgrimage. 
Assembled at Sri Vaari Mettu
Some of them are from Tirupati and some of them came from nearby villages and assembled at Sri Vaari Mettu” place and decided to trek the steps to reach Tirumala. Sri Vaari Mettu is one of the two pathways to Tirumala by foot. 2388 steps to peace, prosperity and to the lotus feet of Lord Venkatesa. Srivari Mettu is the alternate walk way along with Alipiri Mettu that passes through the seven hills and reaches to the main part Tirumala. As per the legends, Lord Venkateswara and Annamayya travelled via this path to reach the Tirumala hills from Srinivasa Mangapuram. Every day hundreds of devotees and the visitors choose this path to reach the Tirumala temple as it is very well developed, short and easy to climb. This route consists of 2388 steps and it will take around 2 - 3hrs. As the people comes here so much the path is token free and free transport of luggage is also available to reach the temple. 
    Many pilgrims climb these steps as an expression of their faith in Balaji. While climbing , devotees do not wear footwear. Our Pracharaks arranged water and also snacks to munch on the way. They are on their way to Tirumala. They keep say “Govind, Govinda” as they climb the steps. They started singing Balaji songs and also singing Govinda Namas. There are shelters on the way for pilgrims to rest and have snacks. They Chant Govinda, filling the air with their chants:
"GOVINDA, GOVINDA, GOOOOVINDAAA!"""
"GOVINDA, GOVINDA, GOOOOVINDAAA!"""
"GOVINDA, GOVINDA, GOOOOVINDAAA!"""
Why Chant Govinda Nmalu?
A Rajendran stated that Lord Venkateshwara or Balaji worshipped in the Tirumala Tirupati Temple is referred to with the name ‘Govinda’ mostly. When pilgrims climb up the Seven Hills, they chant, ‘Govinda! Govinda!’. We can find the tag line, ‘Follow Dharma, Think of Govinda’ all over in Tirumala and Tirupati. The three vertical pious lines are popular as ‘Govinda Namalu’ (Govinda Lines). When Swami is taken out in a procession in the circumambulation streets of the temple, His name Govinda, Govinda, Gokula Nandana (one who is born in Gokul) Govinda will be renting the air.
Our elders and pundits have recommended the recitation of the following sloka for meditating on the ten glorious avataras of Lord Vishnu.
vedaan uddharate jagannivahate bhoogolamudvibhrate
daityam daarayate balm chalayate kshatrakshayam kurvate,
 paulastyam jayate ha/am kalayate kaarunyamaatanvate
 mlecchaan moorechayate dasaakritikrite krishnaaya tubhyam namah.
Salutations to Sri Krishna in the ten avataras — who redeemed the Vedas (Matsya), who bore the universe (Kurma), who restored the earth (Varaha), who tore the asura (Nrisimha), who deceived Bali (Trivikrama), who destroyed the Kshatriya clan (Parasurama), who killed Ravana (Rama), who wielded the plough (Balarama), who spread compassion (Krishna) and who will vanquish the sinners (Kalki).
Significance of Chanting Govinda Namalu
The name of Govinda has special merit, said Padur Rangarajachariar. Since Lord Narayana supported the Manthara Mountain on His back in Koorma avatara, He is Govinda. ‘Go’ also means Earth. Since as Varaha, He rescued Bhooma Devi from the clutches of the asura, He is Govinda. Since He measured the Earth in three steps, He is Govinda. ‘Go’ also means cow. Since as Krishna, He was a cowherd, Krishna may also be referred to as Govinda. He is Govinda because He gives us the power of speech. It was Lord Narayana who suggested to Indra that he fashion the Vajrayudham from Dadichi’s backbone. The Vajrayudham is also called ‘Go’. Hence the Lord, upon whose suggestion Indra made the ayudham, is called Govinda.
Govinda is the name we must utter before we eat anything. The story of Kshatrabandhu shows the significance of the Govinda nama. Kshatrabandhu was a cruel man, who robbed those who passed through the forests. But when he learnt the name Govinda from a sage, he was saved. Tondaradippodi Azhvar celebrates this incident in his Tirumaalai. (The Hindu, Oct 31, 2009)
On the Way
Our group of 27 ex-Christians are on their way to Tirumala to have Darshan of Lord Venkateshara. We will update their pilgrimage and their reaction very soon.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 26 Pracharaks working at the ground level. More people we hire, more villages can cover to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers.
1) Donate any amount to help the Dharma Pracharaks to work at the ground level.
2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 per year. We have five anonymous donors who sponsored Assistants.
DONATIONS
PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the Ghar Wapsi Donation category.
By Check: Or you can send a check payable to GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com                                                                      
RUPEES, if you would like to contribute to rupees, please either call or send an email. We will call you back to give you the required information
For more information, call Prakasarao Velagapudi at ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

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