News and Activity Report
October - 2006 

October commenced with "All Religion Prayer Meeting "on the occasion of  birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji, "Bapuji" at holy Sri Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad on October 2^nd , which was led by Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj and presided over by H. E. Governor of Gujarat Pandit Sri. Nawal Kishor Sharma. Religious heads and priests of many other faiths joined the prayers together namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsi, Jain, Buddha and Bahai.

On Oct 6, 2006 Maha Mandleshwar Sri Swami Satyamitranandaji Maharaj inaugurated a new temple, "Sri Marutidham" on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway accompanied by Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj. 

Centenary Celebration of "Revered Bapuji" (Dr. Sivananda Adhwaryooji) – October 8, 2006  
On October 8, Centenary celebrations of Revered Bapuji, Dr. Sivananda Adhwaryooji was observed at Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad in august presence of many dignitaries & saints including Mahamndleswar Sri Swami Satyamitranandaji Maharaj (the founder of Samnvay trust and Bharatmata Mandir, Haridwar), Sri Rajesh Dave, trustee and convener of Rev. Bapuji, Dr. Sivananda Adhwaryooji's centenary celebration and the president of Sivananda Mission, Virnagar and professor Bakul Dave to name a few. Life of "Revered Bapuji" was a shining example of Karma Yoga and he was an inspiration to countless people, who came in contact with Him.  

Dr. Bhanushankar Adhvaryoo, lovingly called "Bapuji" and also known as Sivananda Adhvaryoo as the name given by Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and in later years of his life known as Swami Yagnavalkyananda after receiving Sannyasa from Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaja, was the founder of the first Divine Life Society branch in Gujarat in 1956. He was also the first editor and publisher of the "Divya Jivan" magazine.  He was one of the foremost disciples of Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and ever-enthusiastic propagator of His message. Having met Gurudev in 1952 for the first time, he adopted the ideals of service to humanity. "Service to the mankind is the service to the God" has become his life slogan. He was an ophthalmologist who worked ceaselessly to alleviate the plights of the blind, the poor and the downtrodden. After taking early retirement from his government service in 1956, he spent remaining forty two years of his life serving selflessly while spreading Gurudev's message. In his career, he had about 4 lakhs cataract surgery to his record and treated countless other illness. He lived up to the age of 94 years. 

Revered Bapuji had multifaceted personality like a genuine diamond. He was a dedicated disciple, a skillful and competent administrator and a spiritual giant who had attained the ultimate enlightenment. As an administrator, he was truly speaking "Bapuji", behaving fatherly to all his employees, helping them and solving their problems and for the people around him; he was extremely compassionate and kind. Institute was like a family to him. As a Yogi, he was a perfect blended personality of Bhakti, Jnana and Karma Yoga. He chose "Virnagar" as his Karma-Bhumi, where he established hospitals, schools, library, hostels, and various other service oriented organizations such as "Sivananda Mission" and "Sivananda Parivar".
 

A new release of "Srimad Bhagwad Gita (Gujarati translation) of Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
by Mahamandleshwar H. H.Sri Swami Satyamitranamdaji Maharaj  

 The evening was highlighted with the release of Gujarati version of “Srimad Bhagawad Gita" of H. H. Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj by Sri Swami Satyamitranandaji Maharaj. It is available for a special promotional rate of Rs.100.00 up to the end of this year.  

Delhi visit (Oct 2, 2006 – Oct 5, 2006)
Honoring the generous invitation of the Chairman of  Hero Honda, Sri B. M. Munjal Sri Swamiji visited Delhi from Oct 2, 2006 to Oct 5, 2006 for a special function arranged by Hero Honda. Rev. Sri Swamiji's discourse at the function on Oct 4th night was attended by a very leading industrialist, politician of Delhi as well as Government of India namely Mr. L. K. Advani, Ex. Prime Minister Mr. Chandrasekhar, Mr.Chautala, Mr.Manishankar Iyer and Mr.Tital. Swamiji attended many other programs during his stay at Delhi,  

On Oct 4, 2006 Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji visited H. E. President of India Mr. Abdul Kalam at President House, Delhi. They discussed about the services carried out by Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad and its future projects, especially for the less privileged children of Municipal schools of Ahmedabad city. Ashram has recently taken up a new project. A team of ophthalmic doctors with paramedical staff (volunteers from the ashram) will provide eye check up to about 10,000 to 1 lack children of Municipal school of Ahmedabad city, which include a eye related tests and surgical  treatment as necessary will be taken care of up to December 2006.

Mr. President took keen interest to know ashram's activities and praised the services. He also, recollected memories of his visit to Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh and darshan of Rev. Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.  

Yoga Camp at National Defense Academy at Khadakwasla, (Pune): (Oct 10, 2006 -Oct 18, 2006)
Upon sincere and generous invitation of Lieutenant General Mr. Arun Chopra AVSM, PVSM, Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji conducted Yoga camp at National Defense Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla (Pune). Yoga teacher from the ashram Ms. Sangeeta Thawani and Yoga expert Anant Chawda also joined with Swamiji. Sri Swamiji and his team conducted four yoga sessions everyday. Evening discourses on the subject of 'Gita for Soldiers' based on Karma Yoga of Bhagavad-Gita by Sri Swamiji were well attended. Plantation of Guava trees was done on a mass scale and prayer was offered at "Remembrance hut" at the academy in memory of the cadets and officers, who passed away either during training or in the battle field.

 A Grand Yoga valedictory function was held at Habibhulla Hall which was attended by about eighteen hundred army cadets and officers. People were overwhelmed with what they learnt during the Yoga Camp in such a short time and grateful to Revered Swamiji. They expressed their gratitude to Swamiji, especially Lieutenant General Arun Choparaji's Speech at Closing Ceremony  was heart touching. It echoes feelings of others.

 During his stay here, Rev. Swamiji met a great Yoga Master Mr. B. K. S. Iyengar. Sri Swamiji also visited Sadhu Vaswani Center at Pune and had a satsang with ashram inmates. All the inmates of the ashram were moved and sought blessings of Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj.

 Ramazan Iftaar (Breaking the fast after Sunset): Anjuman-E-Islam Muslim Jamat of  NDA and Pune jointly organized Ramazan (Ramadan) Iftaar. Swamiji graced the occasion and addressed the gathering that Ramadan is a special time of reflection, fasting, and charity. It is a time of spiritual growth and prayer. Ramadan is also a time for togetherness and thanksgiving. He added the importance of Zakat al-Fitrah, a religious alms (Zakat) to be paid on the day of  fast breaking period at the end of the month of Ramadan.

Swamiji furthermore laid emphasis on regular Namaz, the best among all acts of worship. One should keep in mind the Greatness of Almighty Allah with whom one communes while offering prayers and should consider oneself to be very humble and insignificant before His Grandeur and Glory. He talked about significance of Hajj.

Deepavali Celebration at the Ashram (Oct 19, 2006- Oct 23, 2006)   
Deppavali is a joyous time for one and all. People in joyful and festive mood come for darshan, prayers and to seek the Lord’s blessings for upcoming New-Year. We, at Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad celebrate Deepavali in a special  way. On Dhanteras day (Laxmi Trayodhasi), a grand Laxmi Poojan was performed where large numbers of devotees together performed puja at Sri Sri Ashta Laxmi Bhavan. A Grand Annakoot, over a few hundred different food dishes were prepared by devotees and offered to holy shrine of Sri Maa Ashta Laxmi. And at the night of Deepavali day thousands of devotees came to rejoice this Annakoot darshan at the Ashram. About eight hundred less privileged families of the city received packages of sweets and snacks from annakoot prasad next day on Happy New Year day and more than eight hundred devotees had taken Prasad on Diwali night at the Ashram. That was a real joyous Deepavali and New Year for all.

Other than regular Yoga and Reiki sessions, grocery distribution to underprivileged families, Sodasi Sadhu feeding and "Panch Kundi Gayatri Yajna" were some of the activities carried out during the month of the October at the Ashram.

Upcoming events  

Srimad Bhagavat Katha (Nov 12, 2006 - Nov 19, 2006)
Come; listen to Srimad Bhagavat Katha by Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj and attain a Blissful experience by learning the Glories of the Lord Sri Krishna &His Teachings at Sivanada Ashram, Ahmedabad from Nov 12, 2006 to Nov 19, 2006. Everyday Katha timings: 9.00am to 12.00pm and 4.00pm to 7.00pm. Devotional music each day from 8.30pm to 10.00pm. by a different singers namely Sri Shekhar Sen (Mumbai), Sri Shyamal Saumil, Smt. Dr. Monika Shah (Surmani), Smt. Mayurika Oza, Miss. Shraddha Shah, Miss. Dipti Desai, Mr. Ram Kumar and Sri Jayesh Nayak and Smt. Seema Trivedi.

Devotees wishing to stay at the ashram are requested to inform ahead of time so that proper arrangements could be made. 

681st Yogasana Shibir ( Nov 12, 2006 to Nov 19, 2006) (6.00am to 7.30am)
Yogasana, Pranayam and Meditation Shibir by Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji at Sivananda Ashram from Nov 12, 2006 - Nov, 19, 2006 (6.00am-7.30am) is being organized. Prior registration is required. Along with that medical camp is being organized where free consultations for Heart condition,  Diabetes, Asthma and other medical problems by a team of specialist doctors in the respective fields will be available during the camp( 7.30 am- 8.30am). 

Yoga Teacher's Training Course (YTTC) (Dec 21, 2006 - Jan 10, 2007) 

Regular Activities and Services at the Holy Sivananda Ashram

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