Madhava Divya Dham-Story of It's Inauguration and Backdrop
It was sometime in 2015 I called Rev Swami Hamsanandaji over phone. Swamiji said that he named the house I am going to construct and the name is 'Madhava Divya Dham'. I asked Swamiji but where to construct. He said you construct in Bangalore on the plot you purchased. I said but Swamiji, it is very far from the city. Swamij insisted that I should construct in Bangalore.
I took Swamiji's words and decided to construct the house. But I was in great confusion. I was posted in Pune at that time. Plan and plan approval were to be taken. I rang one of my friends and she helped me fix an engineer to get the approval. My cousin's husband had drawn out house plan as per my wish. It has to be ground floor and two floors on top of it. When my brother in law sent the plan prepared, I was looking at it and wondering whether this building can come up like this. Brother-in-law told me that the plan was good and I should share my joy with my friends by showing the house plan. I kept the plan a secret because I did not know how to go about it. By 2016 the approvals needed were arranged by the engineer. Luckily at that time I got housing loan and it was enough to construct the building. My brother helped me hire labourers who also constructed his house. Ten of them came from Andhra, made a shed and started the construction. We started the work on September 8th being the birthday of Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. The construction was on. Swamiji instructed that it should be over and Centenary Birthday of Swami Madhavanandaji has to be celebrated in the house on Dec 15, 2017. When the construction was half way through, the mason took two months leave as his son was hospitalised. I was worried and constantly prayed for his son's recovery. By the end of two months the mason returned and continued the construction.
The engineer who helped with the plan approval was not able to spare his time. I have compensated for his work by paying enough charges to him. He went satisfied.
We have hired a carpenter in Andhra and he did the doors, windows and we also bought some ready-made doors. We have hired a local electrician and plumber who did a good job. I was working in Pune and might have come to Bangalore at least ten times during the construction. Sometimes I will stay with friends and other times I stayed in guest house. I would catch 6 'o' clock flight from Pune to Bangalore and straight away reach the construction spot. On the way I would eat breakfast hurriedly. By the time I reach the construction spot the mason will be ready with his demands. Buying cement, iron, brick etc., was delegated to a local person who helped me, in construction. I went to chikpet and bought plumbing and electrical material. I bought kamods and wash basins from Kajaria Showroom nearby. One day two friends came along with me. We wanted to buy granite stone for kitchen. When we went into granite showroom, my friend told me that we will bargain for the rate and we should buy granite there as it appears to be in good quality. The shop keeper agreed to reduce the price as per our request. Until then I was thinking that we will put vitrified tiles as those are less costly than granite stone. But seeing this shop I changed my mind and went overboard and bought granite as suggested by my friends. We bought a different type of granite for steps and we ordered steel railing. With the help of granite showroom people, I fixed a person to lay the granite. The house was ready by August 2017. Meanwhile on the guidance of Rev Hamsanandaji, I requested general Secretary, Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh to inaugurate the house. To my pleasant surprise, he agreed to come. In between, I requested a transfer to Bangalore and my Central Office agreed to my request. In August 2017 I got transferred and reported in Bangalore Office. Last week of August 2017 I shifted my luggage I took for rent the ground floor portion of my neighbour's house which was vacant. I kept the packed luggage there. After September 4th when the inauguration was over I shifted the luggage to the new house.
September 4th function was a dream come true. Swami Padmanabhanandaji came, did puja and offered Poornaahuti. He told me that the Satsankalpa with which the building was constructed will come true. Swami Paramapriyanandaji also came and stayed in the new house. The devotees of Bangalore Divine life society came in large numbers for the inauguration. Swami Padmanabhanandaji spoke on that occasion and blessed all of us. When the discussion of Sep 4th function came, one person who organised is my sister Indira. She did all the arrangements in no time and inspite of some indisposition. My sister Leela, brother Ravi Prakash, Praveen etc participated in the function. The puja and other religious materials etc., were organised with the help and guidance of Sri Sivaprasadji, President, Bangalore Divine life society. With his help we arranged catering for lunch on 4th September. From Andhra many devotees came for the function. The person to be mentioned is Narayana Rao from Razole, a retired lecturer who was very enthusiastic about the building of Madhava Divya Dham. His wife Smt Saraswati ji participated and helped me in many ways. While doing the sankalpa the priest asked me what is my intention in constructing the building. I told him that it is the intention of furthering loka kalyanam. It should be a centre of spiritual activity and whoever visit it will have blessing sof Swami Madhavanandaji. Swami Hamsananadaji blessed the occasion and said that many people will come to Madhava Dhivya Dham and will get spiritual solace here. May his blessings come true is my prayer. It is two years since the building was inaugurated we have been celebrating Madhavanandajis birthday on Dec 15th and his Aradhna on March 3rd. People who come to visit and stay here feel the presence of Madhavananadaji here. His blessings pour on the people who come here.
Next most important function celebrated after inauguration is Dec 15, 2017 the Centenary Birthday of Madhavanandaji. On this day we all gathered here to commemorate the 100th birthday of Swamiji. We have made silver coins with Swamiji's face inscribed on it and distributed it. We also released a photo book containing 100 photos on the occasion. The Post master General came to Madhava Divya Dham and released special cover with Swamiji photo for the occasion. Satsang and lectures by the Postmaster General, by Sivaprasadji and by Ganeshprasadji were given on the occasion. Shri Bharat Chandra who wrote Ashtottara Satanamavali of Swami Madhavanadaji came and graced the occasion along with family. After this on March 3rd we conducted Aradhana of Madhavanadaji maharaj.
My association with master Sri Swami Krishnanadaji from 1988 made me realise my bhakti towards him. His birthday is celebrated by us and also his Aradhana day. A small note is added in the website as my gratitude towards the great master that Swamiji is.
Now after two years, Madhava Divya Dham is well furnished. Last year Swami Mahadevanadaji came for a ten day retreat. This year also he is likely to come along with two other devotees. Recently Sri Balaraju came from Orissa and felt spiritual presence of Swami Madhavanadaji. At present Madhava Divya Dham is looked after by me, Shri Murari and Shri Yogesh. There is absolutely no problem for any amenities here, water is sweet and filtered. The atmosphere is cool and pleasant and conducive for dhyana. It is located in the RBI layout in Taverekere village on the Magadi main road. Bus no 242 and all 242s come to Tavarekere village. RBI layout is 2 kms from the village main bazaar.
