Devotee:
Salutations, Guru Dev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, son. Salutations.
Devotee:
Guru Dev, Mahalaya falls on the 14th of October. Our temple's annual function, which is held every year, is scheduled around that time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the annual function that we hold every year will be on the 13th this time, due to the Solar Eclipse. Saturday is quite an unfavorable day—it's extremely bad. There's the Saturday factor, then the New Moon (Amavasya), and on top of that, the Solar Eclipse. I don't see this in a positive light, which is why we moved it to the day before. We will have the night before the New Moon, and even if it falls on that night, we will be able to manage.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, considering all that, we are holding it a day early. The following day is not good; various calamities could occur at any time. It's Saturday, there's an eclipse, and then the New Moon. Nowadays, the New Moon and Full Moon periods are becoming very intense. We don't know what might happen, so after thinking it over, we decided it's better to perform the puja on that night since we'll have the New Moon then anyway.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I think it will be much better. The deity's ornamentation (Angarag) is also finished; everything was completed today. So there's no further issue. The puja will be on Friday. We decided on Friday because Saturday is just too unfavorable. I've seen this in the almanacs, and many great scholars of today are saying the same—that the day is not good. After considering everything, we will finish the Mother's puja on Friday.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Another thing is that, as I mentioned to you and others before, the municipality is going to beautify this area. They will reinforce the pond, install lights, and create seating areas. Because of this, we have to vacate the space. They asked us to leave by the 11th, but I told them we wouldn't leave then because we have the annual function on the 13th. We will vacate the entire place on the 16th. We will use the space until the 15th and leave on the 16th.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After that, you won't see anyone here. I've seen what I needed to see for these last few days. From tomorrow, no one will come; tomorrow is Ekadashi, so no one will come anyway. For the next few days, no work will be done; it's all about the Mother's puja. For an indefinite period, visiting will be closed. I don't know when it will reopen or when the beautification will be finished.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The work will start on the 16th, and I can't say when it will end—it could take six months, eight months, or even a year. We must vacate this spot. The Mother's temple will remain; the worship, the rituals, and the offerings will continue as usual from morning to evening, but meeting people will no longer be possible. That's why we're making this video—to inform everyone that visits are closed for an indefinite period. Please, do not come until we release another video or hear back from the municipality. You won't be able to sit here; there will be construction work, cement everywhere... I don't know exactly what they'll do.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That's why we had to give up this room. We've vacated it, but the Mother's room will stay. They said they would renovate the Mother's room later. Whatever they do is up to them; my concern is that we are stopping public visits for now.
Devotee:
Guru Dev, you've mentioned closing before, and for one reason or another—perhaps the Mother's will—it was delayed. But is this decision final this time?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is final. This is final. There's no room for compromise here because the contractors have arrived. They came today and were satisfied with the plan to start on the 16th after our puja on the 13th. We will vacate this room entirely on the 16th. I have no intention of lingering here. If necessary, I'll even move the deity... but no, the deity will stay. The worship and offerings will continue from morning till evening, and we won't interfere with that. We've arranged a space for the offerings (Bhog) to be cooked here, but I must vacate that room. Once the work starts, no one can sit here anyway. So, I request everyone not to come for the time being. We will inform you through a video when we are ready to see people again. For now, I request everyone to stay away, and I won't be sitting here either.
Devotee:
In addition to this, there's another request. Many people who come to the temple or to see Guru Dev sometimes go to his house, especially when he is unwell. Our request—and Guru Dev will elaborate—is that if you don't find him here, please do not go to his house.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. Whatever work I do, I do it here. I don't do any spiritual work at my home because it affects the household. If I do this kind of work at home, the environment there is impacted. Therefore, I only go home to rest. I do not do any work there. All my work is done at the Mother's feet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, I request everyone: do not go to my house. There is no question of it. I will not see anyone until I say so.
Devotee:
Another point for those who go to his house: Guru Dev has already said he doesn't work there. Secondly, Guru Dev's family lives there, and Guru Maa is currently unwell. Because of this, we request you not to visit the house. The temple visits are suspended, and we don't know when they will resume—it could be six months or a year for the beautification. We will let you know. If I get the chance to sit here again, even if the work isn't fully finished, I will let you know. But for now, since the municipality is working, it's best to stay away.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I don't do any work anywhere except at the cremation ground (Shmashan). If the Mother is here, I work. If she isn't, I don't. All my work happens at the Shmashan. I am a person who loves the Shmashan, and I have received everything from there. So, when the Shmashan area is open and ready again, I will tell everyone to come. For now, we are closing it. I request everyone not to come because the municipality work is starting. Once the work is done, they will give us a place to sit again. They've already promised that. It will be just like it was. I don't know if they will demolish the rooms or not, but the Mother's temple will remain. The puja, the cooking, the offerings—all of that will continue without issue.
Devotee:
We've made this video today to inform you of this. We don't know when we'll be able to sit before the Mother and film again. That's all for now. Salutations, Guru Dev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations.