It was warm and sunny all day Wednesday September 28.  Gurudev’s plane landed in the early afternoon, and his car was followed by a series of enthusiastic devotees, some of them all the way from airport in Newark, NJ, and by additional ones along his ride to the Shanti Mandir ashram at Walden.

Upon his arrival, Gurudev alighted from his car and boarded the ashram’s golf cart, on which he and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshwaranand rode up the driveway in a deliberate, slow manner, while other devotees awaited eagerly atop of the hill, along a colorful long carpet.

Gurudev got off the golf cart smiling, and greeted the devotees as we offered fistfuls of flower petals.

A drum, cymbals, the ringing of the big bell, it all added to the joyful moment.

Gurudev came then to the temple, offered his pranams to Bhagwan and Baba, and sat down on his swing.

A garland and arati were offered, then Larry Wolinsky spoke briefly and from the heart, welcoming Gurudev on behalf of everyone.

Gurudev spoke about his six-month stay in India and his brief trip to Australia. He was pleased that a sizeable group had gathered in spite of Wednesday being a work day.

Brahmin priest Anant Shastri Lavar arrived a couple of hours later. The first programs with Gurudev in Walden will be, his Welcome Satsang, and Baba’s Solar Mahasamadhi Celebration on Sunday October 2, followed by Navratra which will begin on Tuesday October 4th.