Thousands attend first Atirudram and Shatha-Chandi Mahayagnam in Chicago

TIRUPATI: In a historic milestone for the Hindu diaspora in North America, the Atirudram and Shatha Chandi Mahayagnam was successfully conducted at the Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhavan in Warrenville, Illinois.

Organized by the Bhaskara Prakasha Ashram, the grand spiritual event was dedicated to fostering global peace, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.The momentous occasion commenced with traditional preliminary rituals, including Gau Puja, Ganapathi Homam, and Navagraha Homam. In his address, Ashram President Raghu Ranganathan explained that a traditional Atirudram requires chanting Sri Rudram exactly 14,641 times, accompanied by 1,331 Rudra Homa offerings.

By the grace of the Divine, this arduous spiritual undertaking was surpassed in Chicago. Over three days, nearly 250 Ritwiks chanted Sri Rudram together 22 times each day, resulting in more than 14,900 chants and over 1,490 Rudra Homa offerings. The powerful resonance of these Vedic chants created a deeply elevating spiritual experience for all present.The immense scale of the Maha Yagnam was made possible by an organizing committee led by Sri Anantha Subramanian of Chicago.

Together with hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the team earned widespread appreciation for their exemplary planning, selfless service, and seamless coordination.The event drew scores of devotees and high-profile dignitaries across North America, including the Consul General of India in Chicago, Somnath Ghosh. Noting that the yagnam took place in a city made sacred by Swami Vivekananda's historic address, Mr.

Ghosh urged attendees to carry forward Vivekananda's timeless message of universal harmony. He called upon all to work collectively for the welfare of India, the United States, and the world, extending compassion to all forms of life.Highlighting the institution's deeply rooted heritage, Ranganathan noted that the Ashram, established by Sri Vimarshananda Nathendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal traces its spiritual lineage back to the historic 18th-century Sri Vidya scholar, Sri Bhaskararaya Makhin. He emphasized that the Ashram remains dedicated to preserving the sacred teachings of this illustrious Guru Parampara, strengthening the foundations of ancient spiritual traditions in India, the US, the UK, and across the globe.