Mysuru: Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhoota Datta Peetham on Tuesday announced that a grand mass collective Hanuman Chalisa recitation will be organised at the Maharaja’s College Grounds here on Feb 14. It aims to foster universal peace.He said that the programme is intended to bring together devotees from across Karnataka in a powerful collective prayer dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Recalling a similar event held earlier in Tenali, which created a world record, he expressed confidence that the Mysuru event would also draw an overwhelming response. This will be the first such large-scale Hanuman Chalisa recitation organised in the city since 2016. A special highlight of the programme was the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa in Sulalitha Kannada (simplified Kannada). The celebrations will be held on Feb 14 and 15. The mass chanting will feature Shivaratri Maha Jagarane, Girija Kalyana, and various mass chanting programmes in connection with Mahashivaratri. The Swamiji said the Hanuman Chalisa, composed by Saint Tulsidas, is a simple yet immensely powerful stotra that can be chanted by all. He said the event gained added spiritual significance as it precedes the Mahashivaratri festival, noting that Lord Hanuman is revered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva and the greatest devotee of Lord Rama. Emphasising the strength of collective prayer, the Swamiji cited references from the Puranas to illustrate how chanting in unison multiplies spiritual feeling. On the choice of the date, Feb 14, the Swamiji said the date marked the sacred union of Sita and Lord Rama.
