Jan 14, 2006
 

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First 24 hours in Australia

Shri Mataji and Her family arrived in Australia on January 14th on a warm summer's night. We had arranged a special VIP room within  Sydney Airport to receive Her party so She could rest during the  normal processing of documents.

The party looked well after their flight from Singapore, Aarti was performed, refreshments served, and conversations with dignitaries from the Indian Consulate took place. Soon all processing was complete, and we exited from customs to the waiting welcome of around 500 hundred Sahaja Yogis who had gathered in welcome outside within the arrivals areas. Children lined Shri Mataji's passage with flowers and beaming faces.

We made our way to the third floor to the Kingsford Smith function room booked for the welcome program. The room was full to capacity with many hundreds of Sahaja Yogis , the room could not cope with the  numbers and many were spilling out into the corridors and walkways,  any vantage point was sought to gain any glimpse of Shri Mataji.

The welcome was thunderous with singing, applause and the heartfelt emotions and expressed feelings of children welcoming their Mother home after many, many years. Shri Mataji and the family seemed most pleased with the welcome commenting upon the depth of emotion expressed.

The welcome speech was then delivered. 

At the commencement of the welcome program all the children came forward and offered their flowers to Shri Mataji's feet , creating a small mountain of perfumed offerings while the bhajans played. An informal Sankranti Puja was then  performed where the offerings of the bounties of the earth were made.

We then returned to the Burwood  Ashram and Shri Mataji's home for the next six weeks.

We did an initial tour of the house and Shri Mataji then retired to Her suite of  rooms.

We then observing the welcoming protocols, performing Aarti.

Shri Mataji is everything, our very life itself, when we kneel before Her our souls are bared before the Almighty creator, and with Her return it appears as if we are all in a dream, we only pray that now that we are awake it appears as if all our dreams have become real, or if we are in a dream, then please let this dream continue.

When the Ashram was being setup there was much discussion about setting up Her dining suite in the main living room, many advised that She would take Her meals within Her suite of rooms. After the welcome ceremony we offered Shri Mataji dinner and She said Yes, but She wished to be served in the main living room.

There could surely be no happier site than to witness Shri Mataji, and Her family  seated around the dining table enjoying their evening meal together, spending happy hours in each other's company at peace, and at ease. For us all it brought tears to our eyes.

Sincerely Chris Kyriacou behalf of the Australian Council.

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News

Apr 14 - Farewell to Shri Mataji & Sir CP

Apr 7 - [New] Sir CP’s 59th Wedding Anniversary Speech

Apr 7 - “What a night, what a night, what a wonderful night

Apr 7 - 59th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations

Mar 31 - Shalivan New Year Celebrations

Mar 22 - Kalpana Didi leaves Australia

Mar 21 - Birthday Puja Speeches

Mar 21 - 83rd Birthday Puja

Mar 18-21 - [New] Birthday Puja Celebrations at Balmoral

Mar 20 - Feedback page added to site

Mar 14 - Holi Celebrations

Mar 11 - Collective Bhajans at Burwood

Mar 11 - [New] Harmony Day Celebrations

Mar 8 - [New] International Womens Day

Mar 5 - Childrens Party at Burwood

Mar 4 - Spontaneous Bhajans at 2.00am

Feb 27 - Shivaratri Puja & Seminar Weekend

Feb 11 - Sahaja Yoga 25th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner

Feb 6 - Sir CP Srivastava's Speech

Feb 6 - Sydney Town Hall Public Program

Feb 5 - Webcast of Public Program in Sydney

Feb 4 - Sadhana Didi’s birthday celebrations

Jan 31 - Sir CP: Spiritualism and other isms are not holding back India

Jan 26 - India Republic Day & Australia Day Music Program

Jan 26 - Republic Day Celebrations at the Indian Consul

Jan 22 - 25th Anniversary Program

Jan 20 - Sir CP Srivastava's address

Jan 19 - First 24 hours in Australia

Jan 15 - Picnic in Burwood to celebrate Shri Mataji's arrival in Australia

Jan 14 - Airport Welcome Speech

Jan 14 - Shri Mataji arrives in Australia!

Jan 14 - Burwood finally completed

Photos

Departure of Shri Mataji and Sir CP from Sydney Airport

Spontaneous Caterers Volunteers Evening

Shri Mataji and Sir CP's 59th Wedding Anniversary

Shalivan New Year Celebrations

Music Night Farewelling Sadana Didi

Birthday Puja at Darling Harbour

Music Night of Birthday Puja Seminar

Didis' Kids Party

First two days of Birthday Puja Seminar

Holi Celebrations at Burwood

Childrens Party at Burwood

Spontaneous Bhajans at Burwood

Shivratri Weekend Seminar & Puja

Sahaja Yoga 25th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner

Sadhana Didi's Wedding Anniversary

25th Anniversary Public Program

Sadhana Didi's Birthday Celebrations

Images of Shri Mataji's First 24 hours in Australia

Images of Sir CP Srivastava's Address

Shri Mataji & Sir CP tour the Burwood garden & kitchen

India Republic Day Music Concert