Washington: A spiritually enriching day unfolded in Washington State as revered spiritual leader, scholar, and author Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy graced two significant events — the Vishesh Puja of Lord Shri Jagannath at the Hindu Temple of Bothell, and the special celebration of “Shri Guru Bhagwat – India’s Message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” organized at the Indian Consulate, Seattle by Shri Sai Aangan, Seattle.
At the Bothell Hindu Temple, Gurujee was warmly welcomed by Consul General Shri Prakash Gupta and Shri Amiya Dash, trustee of the temple. The Vishesh Puja was dedicated to Lord Shri Jagannath, Shri Balabhadra, and Maa Subhadra, along with other deities housed in the temple complex. Addressing the gathering of devotees and members of the Indian diaspora, Dr. Satpathy spoke on the timeless relevance of Lord Jagannath’s message of universal brotherhood and devotion.
Later in the evening, the Indian Consulate in Seattle hosted a special program titled “Shri Guru Bhagwat – India’s Message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, celebrating Dr. Satpathy’s literary and spiritual contributions. The event commenced with an inaugural address by Consul General Shri Prakash Gupta, followed by a mesmerizing Odissi dance performance choreographed on a prayer from Shri Guru Bhagwat.
During the ceremony, Shri Prakash Gupta felicitated Dr. C.B. Satpathy for his remarkable service to humanity through his literary, spiritual, and musical works. Three of his books were unveiled on this occasion — “Shirdi Saibaba: An Inspiring Life” (English), “Shirdi Saibaba: Ek Prernadayi Jeevan” (Hindi), and the “Pita Mata Stabak” prayer book (in English, Hindi, and Odia), dedicated to honoring parents as part of the Shri Guru Bhagwat philosophy.
Shri R.C. Joshi, IAS introduced the publications and highlighted the role of the Guru and Shri Guru Bhagwat in nurturing ethical and spiritual values in society.
In his keynote address, Dr. Satpathy elaborated on the deeper essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the concept of the world as one family—extending beyond humanity to encompass all living beings (Pranivadita). He also spoke about the prayers he composed for parents, now recited in various educational institutions across India and abroad.
Gurujee expressed appreciation for Shri Prakash Gupta’s efforts in establishing the new Consulate office and promoting cultural initiatives in the region. As a mark of respect, Shri Gupta was felicitated with CBS Cultural Foundation and Shirdi Sai Global Foundation stoles, symbolizing cultural excellence and devotion to the Sai movement.
The twin events reflected India’s rich spiritual heritage and its universal message of peace, compassion, and unity — “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world as one family.