Bharat Sevashram Sangha of New Jersey
Article : Swamiji's Mission to India
  

Annual visit to India

Everyone loves their mother land. Regardless of ones different caste, creed, color
and taste, everyone loves their country of birth. In-fact, motherland is counted as our mother, as it is call janma-bhumi ma. We travel to many countries for various reasons, but it has been proven that no country is as beautiful as our mother land. Where we saw the first light of the sun, we wish to take our last breathe there.

As I am a monk, I always see things in a different angle. We always preach and
practice that “Vasudhaiva kutum-va-kam”, the world is our home and everyone living in the entire world is our relatives. But then confusion comes to the mind, if the whole world is our home, then why no other country can be compared with the beauties of mother India, our birth place?

This year I travelled by Aeroflot, Russian national airline. I flew from New York
to Mumbai via Moscow. Swami Prashantanandaji, the Secretary of our Mumbai Ashram was very kind to me. He sends someone to receive me at the airport. From Mumbai I went to Kolkata by Jet airlines, an Indian domestic airline. I must say when traveling, I realized that the services on any Indian domestic air lines are excellent.

I attended Maghi Purnima festival in Kolkata. There were around 300 monks
from the sangha and I was overwhelmed with joy being in their company. Maghi
Purnima is the time when you feel endless divinity and the divine blessings of Swami
Pranavanandaji. Guru Maharaj Himself urged the Sangha monks and devotees to prepare themselves spiritually and to attend Maghi Purnima. I have been attending Maghi Purnima festival for the last 28 years and every year we experience new heavenly vibrations.



 

The revered president of Bahrat Sevashram Sangha, Sreemat Swami Tridivanandaji Maharaj giving blessings to devotees on Holy Maghi Purnima Festival

PORT–BLAIR ( ANDAMAN)

According to our plan, myself and Swami Samyuktanandaji of our Fiji Ashram
left for Andaman Island to see the after effects of the Tsunami tidal waves and if possible to join the relief team of Bharat Sevashram Sangha there. Brahmachari Debasish came to receive us at the Veer Savarkar airport of Port Blair, Andaman. His skinny body, dusty cloths and unshaved beard revealed to us of the hard work he was doing there and the  situation we are about to face at the affected areas. This was my first visit to these islands. I felt ashamed that we do not know our own country that well.

Brahmachari Debasish took us to Gara-Charma primary school campus first, that
is where Bharat Sevashram Sangha set up it’s main store of relief materials for the entire relief operations at Andaman Islands. That includes rice, dal, clothes, cooking utensils, cooking oil, masalas, potatoes, drinking water, baby food, tarpaulins, soap, buckets, medicines, vitamin and many other things. Debasish informed us that from this camp they have been supplying those materials to several relief camps of Bharat Servashram Sangha for the last two months. I recognized that hundreds of people are living under small rotten tarpaulin sheds around the school. I asked Debasish who they were. He mentioned that these people came from several islands for shelter and we have been feeding them almost two months. Looking at those people, I felt very sad. I talked to some of them and they mentioned that they are afraid to go back to their homes. How could they forget that terrible day, when 40ft. high sea waves came after them and washed away everything?


We were going to Sippi-ghat area where our Ashram is and our base camp to
control the whole relief operations. Brahmachari Debashis showed us the broken roads, half broken homes merging in the dirty sea, cracked bridges and other destruction that was caused by the Tsunami tidal waves. We had a beautiful Ashram building situated on 15 acres of land. There was a temple, dormitory for boys, kitchen with well water. Alas! All went under water, except the 1st and 2nd floor of the building. Swami Dhyanesanandaji, one of the most kind hearted monk was the in-charge there. He was very happy to see us. He mentioned “brother, you all live in America, but look where we are and how we are trying to cope with this natural calamities here. People are living besides the road under tarpaulins, with no food, no drinking water and no proper cloths.” He mentioned that Bharat Sevashram Sangha distributed materials and feed almost 10,000 people daily at Gara-Charma, Sippi ghat and Andur camps. Many of our volunteers and monks became sick while they were serving them. Every day the high tide of the sea will come and covered the entire ground floor of the Ashram. We have to go to the second floor and wait until evening, once the tide leave we then go to fetch water for cooking and other necessities for the Ashram. Because of fear, many people abandoned their homes and went to live in a more secure environment. The government is trying to re-build the roads and bridges, but it is very difficult.

 
We also visited Pranav-Kanya-Sangha Ashram, where almost 30 girls stays inside
the Ashram. The local Sanyasini in-charge narrated the terrible experience she went through on that night of the tsunami destruction. She said that their Ashram building was shaking and the girls were terrified, they thought they will die that night. They strongly believe that it was their Guru Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji’s blessings and spiritual power that saved them that night. After visiting cellular jail, we left for another island.


 

HUT BAY ISLAND (ANDAMAN)

It was one night journey by ship. I never travel by ship before, especially such long
journey. I was wondering what will be my experience. We were in good luck to get two cabins for ourselves and it was a very pleasant journey. It was a beautiful full moon night, at midnight I looked out the cabin window and was amazed to see the beauties of our land. Up above in the sky was a beautiful full moon and below was the endless ocean bathing with the moon light- Oh you loving creator! You are so intelligent; you are the God of beauty! You are the Lord of love! And you are the Lord of wonders!


Our ship had to stop far away from the port, because everything was broken and
destroyed by the demonic waves. Later I realized that Hut Bay Island was one of the worst affected areas in Andaman group of islands. Our brother monks were so busy with the relief work, but somehow we got an auto rikshwa for us to travel.

We were dumbfounded to see the destruction at Hut Bay island. Homes, office
buildings, trees, farmlands, fields, roads and shops all were destroyed by the tsunami waves. As I see, whatever was in the way were all destroyed.

 

 


Swami Amatnathananda with Sangha brother monks at the tsunami relief camp of Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Hut Bay Island of Andaman groups of Islands. The Sangha opened five such camps here.


Bharat Sevashram Sangha opened five relief camps here. The relief camps are
situated at 4 miles, 19 miles, 28 miles areas, in this way they are able to cover the entire area. It was heart wrenching to see the situation people are living in. They took shelter under rotten tarpaulis in the dusty field. Our monks are also suffering tremendously. There is no drinking water, no bathroom, it is unbearable to see the situation of the people. The governor of Andaman and Nicobar islands is very happy to see the services the monks of Bharat Sevashram Sangha are rendering in that area. Primary operations are almost finished, now the Sangha is planning to rebuild homes for the people. While I was writing this essay, we got news from Kolkata that the government allotted lands to us to build homes for the people.

We came back to kolkata broken hearted. The voices of the people kept haunting
us. They kept pleading to us, Swamiji please do not leave us. Andaman and Nicobar
islands are full of beauties. People came from various parts of India to work there. Life was very peaceful and people were living with peace and harmony, but now they are wondering what to do. With in a few moments their entire lively hood was shattered. They are so afraid that if another tsunami comes, what will they do? Bharat Sevashram Sangha did extensive relief work in Madras areas also. They rebuild almost 150 homes for the destitute people and distributed fishing boats among the poor fisher men. I wanted to go to see those work also, but unfortunately I was unable to go.

 

TARAKESWAR

Tarakeswar Shiva temple is one of the most famous Shiva tirtha in West Bengal.
It was my long time desire to visit this holy place and offer my prayers at the holy feet of Baba Taraknath. This place is not very far from Kolkata city. Myself and Swami Trigunanandaji of our Mahisadal Ashram went together there. Even though we are monks, we had to purchase tickets to enter and hire a priest to perform puja. I think  nobody is speared from this. Anyway, we were very happy to bathe the holy lingam with  water and milk and offer our prayers. I saw lots of people coming and they were  anxiously waiting at the door to enter. We also sprinkled some holy water from Dudh- Pukur (a holy pond) on our head.

On our way back, we went to see the primary school run by Love and Care
foundation and we attended a prayer session with the little children there. These children were very happy to see us. We also visited Belur math of Rama- Krishna mission, famous Kali temple of Dakshineswar and Adyapeethdham.

AHMEDABAD

We attended Shiva-Ratri festival in Kolkata. As you may know, Kolkata is the
head office of Bharat Sevashram Sangha worldwide. After Shiva-Ratri festival we
attended the governing body and general committee meeting. It was then time for me to leave Kolkata. I decided to visit Gujarat State this time. Gujaraties are very hard working people and they are very famous for their business skills. Bharat Sevashram  Sangha has deep relations with Gujarat State and the Sangha opened several centers there.

Our first stop was at Ahmedabad, the business capital of Gujarat. We have a very
popular Ashram in Ahmedabad . Swami Ganeshanandaji is the head of this Ashram. It has a Gujarati Medium high school, dormitory for boys, accommodation for guest, a beautiful temple and a medical clinic. The Ashram also runs mobile medical units.
Swami Ganeshanandaji is a very intelligent monk. He travels extensively in and around  Gujarat and lecture on Hindu philosophy, yoga, meditation and the important of  education. Swamiji is planning to purchase the adjacent property to start an English medium school. The Ashram also renders many philanthropic activities. At the time of the devastated earthquake in Bhuj, Ahmedabad Ashram did extensive relief work there.

Ahmedabad is also famous for Savarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi. Sarvarmati Ashram is not very far from our Ashram. With the help of Swamiji, I have
visited Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat. There is the Akshardham Swami
Narayan temple, which became the target of terrorist attack recently. Our Ahmedabad Asharm is one of the famous institutions of that ancient city.

Beautiful Ashram of Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

BHUJ
We left for Bhuj by road. Swami Ganeshanandaji was kind enough to provide us
our Ashram jeep. Myself, Brahmachari Gouranga and brother Swarup started this
journey.  Bhuj was unknown to us until that destructive earthquake which destroyed almost 10,000 people, innumerable homes and cattle. It is very close to Pakistan border. The distance between Ahmedabad and Bhuj is around 600 miles. Bharat Sevashram Sangha did extensive relief work in Bhuj. Many other organizations also did relief work there, but the difference is, Bharat Sevashram Sangha not only distributed materials, they also build almost 1,500 homes for the victims and they opened a permanent center there. It is amazing to see how our Sangha monks and volunteers traveled so far to help the affected people and re-build so many homes for them. As I see, most part of Bhuj is desert. Sands, storm, scorching sun, not able to do any farming, drinking water and sanitary problems keep people away from here. You can only see military vehicles and armies
around there. The Indian border is secured by harsh desert. By setting up a permanent center, the Sangha become the savior for the local and less fortunate people living there. We opened a primary school, temple, medical clinic and most important a bulb factory, this create employment for the local people. The sangha monks go village to village and preach the noble message of Swami Pranavanandaji. They teach the children our rich culture and over all they share the good and bad times of those people. I was so please to see this great effort of the Sangha, it makes me proud to be a monastic member of this organization.

 

SOMNATH

Somnath is famous for Somnath Shiva temple. It is one of the twelve most
famous Shiva temples in India. Somnath area is also famous for Lord Krishna. This is
the area where Lord Krishna left his mortal body.

Som is the moon and nath is the Lord. The Lord of the moon God is Somnath.
Here the moon did austerities to purify himself. Somnath Shiva temple is situated at the shore of the Arabian Sea. It is one of the most spectacular views of modern day art. Everyday thousands of devotees visit this Shiva temple to offer their prayers to Lord Somnath. If you sit at the sea shore, you will recognize how the ocean is eager to wash the holy feet of the Lord. Every moment weaves after weaves come ashore and wash the holy feet of Lord Somnath.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha is trying to build an Ashram and guest house there.
We are looking for a suitable land, once that is found construction work will start. People also stay at the Somnath trusty guest house and any hotels.

On our way to Somnath, we didn’t forget to visit Porbandar, the birth place of
Indian peace leader Mahatma Gandhi. We paid respect to the little room where this great person was born.

DWARKA

One thing is good in Gujarat, they have very good roads. The local government is
trying it’s best to make good roads around the state. The communication system of
Gujarat is also very good, but we went in the month of March and April which was very hot.

Somnath to Dwarka is about 250km. The drive was very pleasant. We drove
around the coconut garden, by the sea, village shops and the green forest. We wanted to reach Dwarka before the sun became too hot.

Dwarka is the kingdom of Lord Shri Krishna. Mathura city was attacked by king
Jarasandha of Magadh. Lord Krishna advised his people to move from Mathura to
Dwarka for safety reason. In Dwarka, he built a kingdom and royal palace which was surrounded by ocean on three sides. It was well protected and the construction was properly planned. Holi festival was approaching fast and we could see thousands of people coming into the city. We have a beautiful new Ashram in Dwarka. Through the  hard work of Swami Syamanandaji Maharaj, he built this Ashram. We have accommodation for pilgrims, charitable dispensary, jalchhatra (free water distribution)  and temple of Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Pranavanandaji. On the occasion of holi festival, Dwarka Ashram also organized its annual festival. Several Swamijiees from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat and many other Ashrams came there. There were Bhagavat katha, art competition by the children, school books were distributed among the children and discussion on holy text made that place very divine. We also visited main Dwarkadhis temple couple of times. Most remarkable thing was, myself and Swami Prashantanandaji of Mumbai Ashram went to meditate at the meeting place of Arabian Sea and river Gomti. Roaring ocean, quite Gomti River, sound of bells and drums from the temple and divine prayers created a divine environment for us. People were celebrating holi festival by throwing colors on each other and extending their love for all.

 

Monks of the Sangha on the Annual festival of our Dwarka Ashram

(R-L) Sreemat Swami Shyamanandaji Maharaj (Dwarka)
Sreemat Swami Ganeshanandaji Maharaj (Ahmedabad)
Sreemat Swami Ambarisanandaji Maharaj (Surat)
Sreemat Swami Prashantanandaji Maharaj (Mumbai)
Swami Amarnathanandaji Maharaj (New Jersey, U.S.A.)


 

Children attending outdoor art competition at our Dwarka Ashram, Gujarat, India

SURAT

I came to Surat by train. It was a day and night journey. Unlike Kolkata to
Ahmedabad which took two and a half days by rail, this journey was alright. Myself and Swami Ganeshanandaji discussed lots of things regarding our country, political and religious issues and the future of Bharat Sevashram Sangha.

Surat city is an ancient city of India. It is famous for diamond business and there
are hundreds of handlooms making noises day and night. Our Surat Ashram is one of the  prides of this city. There are two centers there. Our main Ashram is at Katargram and the old one is at Annie Besant road. There is a huge English medium Co-ed school, a Gujarati medium girl’s school, a Gujarati medium boy’s school, a huge gymnasium, a large temple, monastery and dormitory for boys. These created a history not only in Surat, but in the whole of Gujarat State. Revered Swami Atmaswarupanandaji Maharaj, one of the most dynamic and respectable monk of Bharat Sevashram Sangha and a direct disciple of Acharya Sreemat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj was the architect of this Ashram. Now under the leadership of SwamiAmbarishananandaj Maharaj, the present monk in-charge, the Asharam has progressed rapidly. Swami Ambarishanandaji is a visionary, an educationist and hard working disciplined monk. Surat Ashram received respect from all kinds of people in the society. Our schools have almost 10,000 students.  Surat Ashram also published a monthly Gujarati magazine name “Hindu-Milan-Mandir”.  They also have their own preaching mission, these monks travels from village to village  to preach the noble message of Shri Shri Guru Maharaj. They also teach yoga, stick  playing, karati and weight lifting etc. These types of activities attracted a large group of
youth to our Ashram. Surat Ashram also produced many brilliant monks for Bharat
Sevashram Sangha.

 
 


English medium higher secondary school of Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Surat, Gujarat, India

DEDIAPARA

We came to Dediapara tribal welfare center of Bharat Sevashram Sangha via
Ankeleswar. There are also tribal people living in Gujarat State and many parts of this states is yet to be developed. There is lack of schools, medical facilities and
communication system. Bharat Sevashram Sangha under the leadership of Swami
Bodhmitrananda is doing a wonderful job for these less fortunate tribal people. This
center has mobile medical clinic, dormitory for tribal boys, temple, medical clinic and
farmhouse. Among many Ashrams, I loved Dediapara very much. The forest area, open  field, simple village people and fresh air, brings new life. I had an opportunity to go out  with the medical unit at a far distance village called Patauli of Dediapara. I was shocked  to see how people suffer from skin disease in that area. Bharat Sevashram Sangha is the  only means of medical supply to them there. People told me that the cause of this skin  disease is by using unclean water from pond, lakes and creeks.

While in Dediapara, I did not forgot to visit the Deo-Mogra or Kunti mata
Mandir. Local people believe that Bhima the second Pandava brother married Hirimva in this area. If that is so, Dediapara is a very ancient place to visit.

VASDA

On around 35 acres of land a spectacular building for primary teachers training
center, a radiant huge white building for Gujarati medium co-ed high school, an
independent hospital building made the Vasda tribal welfare center one of the prominent center of entire Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Swami Bratananda is a young, brilliant and enthusiastic monk. He is a very hard working person. He showed me his future plan, he wants to build a beautiful temple dedicated to his Guru Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj. He has plans to build a residential nursing training school and many other institutions which will be benefited for the poor people. The villages of Gujarat State are very open, clean and beautiful. Among all villages, Vasda area was very pleasant. I am sure that one day Swami Bratananda will accomplish everything he plan to do for the people.




Primary Teachers training center of our Ashram at Gangpur, Vasda, Dt. Navasari, Gujarat, India

Higher secondary school of Bharat Sevashram Sangha at Gangpur, Vasda, Dt. Navasari, Gujarat, India


AHWA

Bharat Sevashram Sangha just opened a tribal welfare center here to serve the
forest people in this area. This center runs 4 mobile medical vans covering almost 40 villages. I must say, it is very difficult to work in these far distance places. Forest, unknown people, dry land, these are all your friends here. Swami Biswarupananda, one of the Sangha’s most dedicated monk took the leading role here. Swamiji is such a monk, he will never take food or water until he complete his meditation and repeating his sacred mantras. This is a very new Ashram and it needs lots of help from us. Swamiji is looking for a piece of land to build a permanent center there. I am sure, one day, by the blessings of Sri Guru Maharaj, his wish will be fulfilled and Bharat Sevashram Sangha will have another unique center for tribal people of our country.

VARODARA

We came back to Surat by road and I left for Varodara by train. Indian railway
system is very good. You find joy traveling by train. Varodara is a famous city of
Gujarat State. It is famous for educational institutions, medical collages, Engineering colleges, Hospitals and intellectual people. Someone was telling me that Varodara is the abode of mostly intellectual people of Gujarat State. We have a good number of devotees there and they are trying hard to purchase a piece of land to open a center of Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Recent flood in Gujarat devastated a vast area of Varodara and our Sangha volunteers are helping the flood victims in many ways. It is one of the beautiful city of India.

KALLOL

I came back to Ahmedabad from Varodara. After all these hectic journey and
suffering form burning hot climate, I was very tired. I needed to rest for couple of days. After that I visited our Kallol Ashram. In every home in Gujarat there is one person in a foreign country. And from Kallol many of them are working all over the world. There used to be a famous Hanuman Byayamsala (gymnasium) in Kallol city. The same compound has now turned into Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Swami Baidyanathananda  enthusiastically installed a very large copper Hanumanji idol there. He also installed a beautiful Sri Guru Murti and a Shiva Lingam. Swamiji with his vision and thought slowly made that swampy Hanuman Byayamsala to a beautiful Ashram compound. I recognized lots of youth and elderly people come there for regular exercise.

 
It was time for me to leave Gujarat State. For my one month tour in Gujarat, I
have visited many other historical places. I have visited innumerable villages and towns. I have met many good people in Gujarat and lectured in many places. The kind co-operation of all senior and junior Swamijees, good hospitality from general devotees of the Ashram made my journey pleasant and easy. I will always remember the beautiful countryside of Gujarat and its people. It is my honest request to all Gujarati business people who are living outside, please help your less fortunate brothers and sisters back in Gujarat in any way you can.

NEW DELHI

Last year I wrote about our Delhi Ashram in my essay. In the national capital of
India, Delhi Ashram is a place where people like to visit. I myself have a soft place in my heart for Delhi, because I have spent almost 15 of my glorious years there. Anyone who will visit this Ashram will surely love it. The beautiful temple, striking temple gate with two huge elephant on both side, guest house, students hostel, computer training center, medical clinic and beautiful flower garden are well maintain and very organized.

Swami Atmajnanananda, the monk in-charge of the Delhi Ashram purchased a
huge piece of land at Gurgaon area where he will build a school and dormitory for boys. As I see in the future there will be another Ashram in that area. I personally liked that place, because it is open and it is situated at a very serene environment. Right now they are doing farming and as enough donations are being collected, they will start the construction.

 

Bharat Sevashram Sangha, New Delhi, India

 HARDWAR

Har is Lord Shiva and dwar is the door. So Hardwar is the gateway to the
kingdom of Lord Shiva. It is one of the most popular pilgrim centers in India. Hardwar is around four hours drive from Delhi. It is situated at the bank of the holy River Ganges and at the foot of Himalayas, it has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations also. Thousands of people come everyday to take a holy dip in the Ganges. It is believe that the holy water of Ganges wash away all of our sins. People also do oblation ceremony at the bank of the holy river, they visit the mountain top Manasa and Chandi temple, attend evening Ganges arati and there are lots of shops there, so visitors shop a lot. Visitors and many types of vehicles make the place very noisy. In the evening time when you sit by the bank of the Ganges, you will surely experience divinity. In every twelve years, Purna-Kumbha-Mela one of the biggest religious gatherings is being organize here.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha has a beautiful Ashram at Hardwar. Most of our
Ashram at any holy places is basically to accommodate pilgrims and help them in every way to perform their religious ceremonies. Hardwar Ashram has hundreds of rooms and is doing very well. This Ashram runs medical clinics which gives free service to the community. Under Hardwar umbrella, there are few more Ashrams, such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Ukhimath, Gouri Kund, Yosimath etc. All these places are in the Himalayas and they are all famous pilgrim places.
 
 


Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hardwar, India

 UKHIMATH

In my monastic life I have visited many holy places that are in the Himalayas or
in other mountains. Among them few are, Shiva-tirtha Amarnath in Kashmir valley,
Vaisno Devi in Jammu, Gangontri Yamunotri - Gomukh, Kedarnath, Badrinath in
Himalayas, Chandranath Shiva temple in Bangladesh and few others. On those journeys I walked a lot of roads and had good and bad experiences. Somehow, I develop an idea that enough is enough. I will never visit any holy place which is situated in the mountains. Many years passed and I did not go to the mountains, but recently Bharat Sevashram Sangha built an Ashram as well as an English medium primary school in Ukhimath area. This place is known as the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath. During the month of November to April, when heavy snow falls at the Himalayas, devotees bring Lord Kedarnath here to worship. So six months Lord Kedanath stay here and in the month of May to October devotees worship him in the main temple.

Many people told me that I should visit Ukhimath one time. They kept narrating
the amazing beauty of Ukhimath and the surrounding areas. So I decided to go and see how beautiful it is. One of my monk brother from Hardwar and myself started a tiring journey to the Himalayas. Ukhinath is around 8 hours mountains journey from Hardwar. The beautiful landscaping, rivers, water falls, homes on the mountains and dangerous roads with many turns made our journey very interesting. On our way we passed Hrisikesh, Deva Prayag, Rudra Prayag and many other small villages. Deva Prayag is  where rivers Ganges and Alokananda meeting each other and Rudra Prayag is the place where rivers Mandakini and Alokananda meeting each other.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha has a beautiful seven story Ashram building at
Ukhimath to accommodate pilgrims. People visit Kedarnath and on their way to
Badrinath they visit Ukhimath also. Apart from guest house, we have a beautiful English medium school there. Peaceful envoirment, beautiful landscaping, simple and honest people and fresh air free from pollution gives a good feelings. There are lots of richness  and varieties of things in the Himalayas. I think the Himalaya is the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of Himalaya is a place of peace, meditation, divinity and the joy of life.

While I was at Ukhimath, I visited Gupta Kashi Lord Shiva temple, Kalimath Kali
mata mandir, Tunganath Lord Shiva mandir. It was a whole day tour in the Himalaya. Seasonal flowers, dense green forest, small rivers and quietness of the places, gave us an abundance of joy. We learn form the Himalayas how to be serious, how to be meditative, how to be secluded and live alone. Oh great Himalaya! I solute you again and again, I solute you with my heart full of love and highest respect. I do not know if I will ever come to see you again, I do not know if I will ever come to see these wonderful places again, but your memory will live on and it will inspire me throughout the rest of my life.

It was time again for me to leave my beloved motherland. It was time again for
me to say goodbye to those wonderful people I have met. It was time for me to give a kiss to the holy soil where I saw the first light of the sun and where I wish to take my last breath. My return flight was from Delhi. So I came back to our lovely Delhi Ashram to take rest and prepare my mind. In this long two months tour, I have met innumerous good people and hundreds of my brother monks. I have visited many places and spoke on several occasions. With folded hands, I thank each and everyone for their kind co-operation, hospitality and good company. All Ashram Swamiees and Brahmacharies assisted me a lot. I would not have imagined visiting even one place without their help.


Oh my mother land! Oh my brother Monks! Oh my wonderful people!
Please accept my salutation. Please accept my namaskar.
Please accept my heart full love.

Pranam, pranam, pranam



 
Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ukhimath, Himalays, India


 

Primary school of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ukhimath, Himalayas, India


 

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