News and Activity Report
January - 2003 

Month of January was full of religious, spiritual and philanthropic activities at the Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad.  

Joining the third  Global International 24 hour Non-Stop Japa Yajna organized by Divine Life Society, Maryland, USA-December 31-January 1,2003 

The dawn of the New Year commenced with overnight Mrutyunjaya Mantra Japa joining the collective Japa Yajna for the world peace. From evening of Dec 31, 2002 8.00pm to early morning of January 1, 2003, number of devotees joined in groups this overnight-blessed occasion of chanting holy names of the Lord. 

Srimad Bhagvat Sapthah, January 22-January 29,2003 

Holy Sri Bhagavat Sapthah – with all the traditional rituals was organized at Sri Asthma Lakshmi Bhavan of Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad. A colorful procession with blowing of the Conch, decorated elephants, 108 young girls (Kanyas) with kumbham on the head, temple orchestra with traditional music, drums, traditional Rasa Garba dance with colorful temple umbrella surcharged lead from Sri Vishwanath temple to Sri Ashta Lakshmi Bhavan.  H.H. Sri Swami Subodhanandaji Maharaj of the Chinmaya Mission, Siddhbari and Northern Zonal Head of the Chinmaya Mission graciously lit the lamp and blessed the occasion by sharing his lofty thoughts, which were most befitting for the occasion. 

Most worshipful Mahamandaleshwar and founder of the famous Bharat Mata Temple of Hardwar, H H Sri Swami Satyamitranandaji Maharaj graced the occasion and blessed the devotees at Sri Sri Sri Ashta Lakshmi Bhavan during the closing of 1st day of Srimad Bhagavat Katha on January 23rd evening.  He said that Sri Sukadev was Monk.  He was never a householder and so to preach the Bhagvatam is the most important moral duty of the monastic order.    But unfortunately those who are accustomed to give some public speech, all have started doing Kathas and hence it has become their livelihood and we don’t want to interfere that; but by seeing.  He expressed; "Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj has decided to perform Srimad Bhagavat Katha is most befitting and welcoming gesture.  Sri Swamiji is a versatile genius, expert exponent not only as he is famous Yogacharya but he is Bhagavatacharya too, with the blend of yoga of synthesis i.e. Karma Bhakti and Jnana." 

During the entire Bhagavat Sapthah, each evening was very colorful feast and festival. At each night, Ashram rejoiced the devotional music singing and dancing by a number of devoted artist groups from in and around Ahmedabad, namely Rasa Mandali, Rasa Troupe from Surendranagar, devotional Haveli Sangeet by Pundit Sri Niraj Chandraji, Bharat Natyam dance recital by Ms. Nilima and Sri Bijoy Shenoy, devotional music by Smt Mayurika Ojha, Sri Nayan Pancholi, Smt. Monikaben Shah and her team.

The Srimad Bhagavat Saptah was concluded with Srimad Bhagavat Yajna, Gita recitation in chorus and  feeding Daridra-narayanas on forenoon on Jan 30th. 

591st Yoga Pranayama Meditation camp at Sivananda Ashram, January21-January 30 ,2003

 As usual a large number of Yoga enthusiasts attended the camp. Special session for obese people to reduce the  weight was organized on the Sunday Jan 26th in coordination of Dr. Mayur K. Pandya, MOG Health Care Institute. 

Food distribution to schoolchildren & under privileged 

On January 1st devotees of the ashram visited municipal school children and amused them with singing and merry makings.  Full meals of potato curry, puris, sweet items; fruits and notebooks, pencils, game balls were distributed to more than 500 kids. 

On January 3rd also as always day long Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa and feeding to Daridra-narayanas  were organized by the Ashram devotees. 

Silver Jubilee Celebration of Sri Rang Avdhutji Maharaj of Nareshver at Valsad (On Thital Sea- Shore) January 11-!2, 2003.

Silver jubilee celebration was organized by the devotees of the great saint and sage of Nareshwar (Gujarat), Sri Ranga Avadhootaji Maharaj.  Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj’s soul stirring kirtan at seashore of Tithal elevated one and all. Also on January 12 Pujya Swamiji was invited to give discourse. He addressed a large gathering of devotees ‘s of Sri Rang Avadhutji Maharaj and inspired them by sharing his thoughts upon “Rang Yoga” of “Sri Bapji”   

During his visit, Rev. Sri Swamiji attended the holy 140th birthday anniversary of H.H. Sri Swami Vivekanandaji Maharaj at the public function, where saints of Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Shri Sharda Math and saints from BAP’s – Swami Narayan organization joined the programme. 

During his visit to Valsad, in the morning Swamji guided  a group of yoga enthusiasts at famous Mamta Health Center and also visited the RNC eye hospital of Valsad. Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj was invited to bless “Om Prabhu Shanti Yajna” at famous country club of Valsad too. 

Miscellaneous News 

A very pleasant Gujarati music program was performed on the evening of Jan 1, 2003 by a famous singer Smt. Seema Trivedi and Sri Jayesh Nayak of Swar-sandhya group in Ashram Lawn welcoming the new year. The program was enjoyed by one and all.  

Group of devotees with the holy company of Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj went on pilgrimage on January 2nd morning to famous Sri Krishna temple of Dakor (Gujarat). Which was followed by visit to Bharuch and Navsari for the special satsang on the occasion of 25th wedding anniversary of devotee couple from USA.  

On January 3-4 Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj was invited for wedding function at Navsari. Newly wed couple Dipan & Sahani Desai were very happy to receive Swamiji’s Blessings. 

On January 5^th Sunday forenoon, Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj lead colorful procession of Sri Narayan Guru Cultural Association, neighboring Institute of Sivananda Ashram, In the afternoon Rev. Sri Swamiji was presided upon the symposium for the benefit of poor, sick and under privileged. 

In the early dawn of Jan 9th, Sri Swamiji Maharaj inaugurated the year long Yoga Health Programme jointly launched by the various branches of the Lions Club of Ahmedabad. 

On Saturday, the Jan 11 forenoon at Surat, Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj addressed the devotees of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and held a beautiful satsang, which was followed by an opening ceremony of the Dental Clinic of Dr.Mrs Nili Desai  & Dr. Vipul Desai at Sachin.

Jan 14th, the holy Makar Sankranti was celebrated in the Ashram with silent meditation and prayer for the peace of the world at large. 

On Saturday, Jan 17th, Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj visited a famous Pirana Dargaha Sharif upon the generous invitation by Sri Kaka Saheb, head of the Pirana Dargaha Institution. 

Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj was invited to recite the annual function and foundation celebration of Transpec Silox Company at Baroda initially plantation of saplings was done by Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj which followed by an award presentation to the silver jubilee employees of the various departments of the company.   Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj gave an enlightening discourse upon the need of spirituality in the work place and at home and delighted the entire house.   

Annual Day Celebration - TRANSPEK-SILOX, Baroda, With Dr. G. V. Merchant ( M. S. Orth.) and Mr. Paresh (M. D.)

Sri Swamiji Maharaj had an overnight journey to Jamnagar for the holy Gayatri idol installation programme, which was preceded by a colorful procession in the town.  Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj addressed the gathering upon the glory of Gayatri Mantra Japa.  In the evening Sri Swamiji Maharaj’s discourse was organized at Sri Gita Bhavan by Prof. Dr. Kisore Dave, the Principal, D K V Arts & Science College, and the founder of Sadhana Mandir, Gita Vidyalaya, Jamnagar. The discourse was attended by a large number of devotees.

Sri Babubhai Karia, founder of the famous Jalaram temple, Ahmedabad passed away  for which a public prayer meeting was organized for the everlasting peace of the departed soul and for the condolence to the members of the family. Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj attended the meeting and gave solace to the friends and family members. 

On January 26, Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj performed the flag ceremony to celebrate nation’s 56th Republic day at the Ashram premises.

On January  30, "Bapu Nirvana day " (the punya-tithi) of the most revered and worshipful father of the nation, Pujya Bapuji Mahatma Gandhiji, a public prayer meeting was organized at His Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, where Vedic prayer and hymns were led by Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj. 

Every Sundays of the month of January, Ashram organized the whole day long Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa.

Regular Activities and Services at the Holy Sivananda Ashram

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