UAE: Hundreds Gather to Offer Sathyanarayana Puja in Dubai
Report:  Shodhan Prasad , Photos: Sujay Bendore
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE

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Dubai, Mar 20: Hundreds of devotees gathered to get blessed by Shri Satyanarayan Katha and Pooja held at Banquet Hall of Karama Centre in Dubai today which very well organised by Shri Satyanarayana Pooja Samithi, Dubai, UAE.  The pooja took place from 4pm to 9 pm starting with Bhajans and keerthans.

Various devotional bhajans were rendered by Shri Rajarajashwari Bhakta Vrinda & Narayana Seva Samithi both from UAE.  The special attraction during the course of the programme was the traditional beat of the drums (chendey vaadana) in between the chapters of the Satyanarayana Katha. 

The other attraction was our opportunity to hear the golden voice of Ravindra Prabhu who flew all the way from Mangalore not only to attend this programme but also to sing beautiful melodious devotional songs for a period of non-stop one hour.  Ravindra Prabhu has rendered more than 1000 devotional songs in various languages.  One of his achievements in recent days is the distribution of his C.D. titled 'Nitya Bhajaney' with more than 2 lakhs copies.  He was also awarded with 'Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsawa' District Award by Government of Karnataka for his achievement in various music fields especially in Kannada, Tulu and Konkani Rangabhoomi.  He was falicitated during the occassion by the Sangha. 

Also felicitated was another well known tabla accompaniment Manoj Acharya who is a proud deciple of Maestro Ustaad Zaakir Hussain.  On the whole the audieance were thrilled and enjoyed the devotional songs and were swinging all along.
 
Last year the proceedings of the pooja was handed over to a charity organisation in Mangalore called Saanidya Foundation a school for the phyiscally challenged.  This year too the organisers have planned to allow the proceedings to a charity organisation back in  Mangalore which will be identified soon.

The Satyanarayan puja is performed usually on the day of the full moon night. Many Hindus believe that listening to the katha or story and performing the puja will help them fulfill their desires, that it will bring prosperity, remove fear and free them from bondage. While emotional and sincere chanting of the katha has been known to bring positive results, they are more the result of a true understanding and implementation of the essence and complete message of the katha, rather than the fruits of the ritual itself.

The origin and belief goes back to the Vedic era and the story goes this way.  Once upon a time while travelling the three worlds, Yogiraj Narad Muni reached Marthyalok (Planet Earth), he saw the human beings suffering immensely. He visited the abode of Lord Vishnu, who alone can relieve the mankind from the sufferings.

There he met the Almighty Lord Vishnu with four arms having Shankha, Chakra, Gadha & Padma, wearing Tulsi Mala (garland) in his neck. He started to pray & requested  "Oh Lord!!! You are the supreme power, nothing can touch you, not even wind or mind can get you, your power is limitless, you know everything, you help your devotees to overcome their sufferings & sorrows."

Hearing all the pleadings of Sadhu Narad Muni, the Almighty Supreme Lord Vishnu, knowing everything asked Narad Muni "Oh Narad!  Why have you come to me & what do you want from me, tell me, I want to hear the same from you."

Yogiraj Narad Muni replied, Oh Lord! I just went to Marthyalok, where I saw all kinds of human beings suffering in sorrow due to their previous karma. Oh Lord! the Almighty, is there no way that their suffering becomes less or is it possible that they get complete moksha (relief) from their sufferings. If so, please let us know. The Lord, at once replied "Oh Narad! you have asked a very good question for the benefit of all human kind."

To free man-kind from all sufferings, & to ultimately reach Heaven , there is one vrit (fast), & today I will tell you all about it. Anyone who does Shri Satyanarayan's Vrit & Puja (prayer) in the right way; will get all the pleasures on earth & will reach his goal.

Yogiraj Narad Muni then asked, "Oh Lord!, has anyone kept this fast before? This vrit is done on which day & how exactly is it done? Please do let us know all the details."

Whosoever does Bhagwan Shri Satyanarayanji's Katha with Brahmin & with his family with full rites will be relieved of his sufferings & sorrows, will be bestowed with increase in wealth & wisdom; will be blessed with children; get overall victory & increased devotion.

For this prayer, one requires ripe bananas, ghee, milk & choori (made with wheat flour, ghee & sugar). After the prayers, all present must have the prasad & then take their meals together, & then sing, praise, & chant mantras of Lord Satyanarayan. By doing this, their wishes will be fulfilled. This vrit in Kalyuga gives the boon (reward) very quickly. 

And thus this Pooja is being performed by most of the Hindus to be free from all sorrows ultimately attain moksha.

The pooja in Karama Centre was performed by Acharya Raghu Bhat and was attended by a large families from different communities.  All the contributors were blessed and provided with Memento and Fruits/Flowers in Steel tray in a traditional manner arranged by the Organisers.  On the occassion S.L. Rao was falicitated for his contribution to the people of Karnataka residing in U.A.E. and Oman.  He was the one who have initiated and put lot of effort to keep live the poojas and rituals in this part of the world.  He not only reminded the importance of poojas in our daily life but also has a record of performing more than 300 Satyanarayana Kathas (Pooja) in the Middle East.

Mahaprasada was distributed at the end of the pooja to one and all and all the devotees returned home with blessings of Lord Shri Satyanarayana Swami.

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