Sri Avadhutendra Saraswati Swamiji.

The third photograph from the top is of Sri Avadhutendra Saraswati Swamiji at my sister Hemalatha’s wedding on 2nd March 1975. That was the first time I saw him, and our entire family including the bride and groom sought his blessings. Swamiji was very close to my brother-in-law Sri Niranjan’s father Sri Kasoji Sathyanarayana Garu since 1967. Uncle Sathyanarayana Garu and his entire family are ardent disciples of Swamiji. Uncle constructed a huge hall for Swamiji’s stay on the 3rd floor of his house at Himayathnagar. Whenever Swamiji visited Hyderabad he used to stay there and also conduct bhajans in this hall which can accommodate about 50 persons and the space in front of the hall can accommodate another 100 persons.

Sri Avadhutendra Saraswati Swamiji; also called Sri Raghuvara Dasu Garu, dedicated his life to the spiritual betterment of the masses through Bhagavannama Sankeerthana that is in the form of chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna bhajan and recitation of Hanuman Chalisa. He was born on 28th November 1914 at Attili in West Godavari district to an orthodox, God-fearing couple Sri Pemmaraju Hanumanlu and Smt Pollalamma. He developed a taste for devotional songs and bhajans; in the footsteps of his father. From an early age, he began to participate in dramas mostly enacting the role of Lord Krishna or Rama. With his action and melodious voice, he won everyone’s acclaim and toured large parts of Andhra with popular drama troops. After leading a normal life for a few years, he took to travelling all over the country preaching the benefits of Rama Nama bhajans and recitation of Hanuman Chalisa. He organized and started the tradition of conducting ‘Ekaham’ and ‘Sapthaham’ bhajans at various temples and houses of his followers. ‘Ekaham’ is chanting of Hare Rama Hare Krishna Bhajan for 24 hours without a break and Sapthaham is a nonstop recitation of the bhajan for 7 days, 24 hours a day. This bhajan is a melodious recitation of the following words to the accompaniment of music from the Harmonium, Tabla and Thaalalu: “Hare Rama; Hare Rama, Rama Rama; Hare Hare. Hare Krishna; Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna; Hare Hare.”

Swamiji’s demise took place on 11th June 1975 at my brother-in-law’s house. My Uncle Sri Sathyanarayana Garu and aunty were on a world tour at this time and could not return in time for the immersion of his mortal remains in the holy Krishna River. His last journey was witnessed by a very large number of his followers. Even today, 45 years after his demise he has a huge following.

After the death of Swamiji, the hall in which he is to stay at my brother-in-law’s place is converted into a pooja room. There is a very attractive life-size portrait of Swamiji with some of his books and other items on display. Every Sunday from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Swamiji’s recorded bhajans are played. Followers in large numbers chant the bhajan in tune with Swamiji’s voice. Prasadam is distributed at the end of bhajan. On Swamiji’s birthday – Mukkoti Ekadashi (Nov.~Dec.), Ekaham is performed. And six days prior to Swamiji’s Vardanthi (in the month of May) Hanuman Chalisa is recited for one full day and then from the second day for seven days, Sapthaham takes place. On all these occasions elaborate arrangements are made for the ‘Stay and Food’ for the various followers who come from all over the State and to some special teams who come for participating in the bhajans. On the last evening of Sapthaham which I do not miss, small children are sometimes dressed like Krishna or Rama and the bhajan is accompanied by dancing and Kholata. This tradition is observed for the last 45 years with extreme devotion from all members of their family and to the satisfaction of all Swamiji’s followers and spiritual persons. May God and Swamiji bless them forever for this religious service.

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