| |
Usually I go once a year to India to see our
motherland and the rapid expansion projects of Bharat Sevashram Sangha all
over the country. I go at the time of Maghi Purnima and Shiva Ratri
festival. That is the only time I could meet my fellow brother monks where
we can exchange our thoughts and experience. However, as soon as Shiva-Ratri
festival is over I try to visit as many of our Ashrams as possible. This
give me an opportunity to see the improvement of our country and also the
rapid expansion work that our Ashram is doing. This is my visit in February
2004.Mumbai
This time I traveled by Air India flight which
leave from Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey. This flight
took me to Mumbai via Paris. Mumbai is a place where people can give you a
meal one time, but accommodation is very difficult. It was not easy for
Swami Prashantanandaji Maharaj to build an Ashram there. By his hard work,
strong determination and by the blessing of Sri Sri Guru Maharaj he was able
to build a beautiful Ashram. Mumbai is a densely populated city. It is the
business capital of India. Mumbai is also the home of some of India’s best
hospitals, educational institutions and art centers. Tata cancer hospital is
one of them. Cancer patients come from all over India for treatment there.
Sometimes they need to stay for many months in Mumbai with there family.
Swami Prashantananda recognized the sufferings of these people and arrange
accommodation for the cancer patients and their families at the Ashram
campus. Now we have almost 50 rooms for that purpose, not only that, Swamiji
made their food and traveling situation very easy. Meals are being prepared
for them and he has bus and mobile vans that take them to and from the
hospital. I was informed that now Swamiji arrange treatment for them right
at the Ashram campus.
Apart from cancer patient’s accommodation, there is also primary school, eye
clinic, temple and general guess accommodation in the Ashram. I flew from
Mumbai to kolkata by Jet Airways.
Kolkata
Kolkata is the state capital of West Bengal and the Head quarter of Bharat
Sevashram Sangha world-wide is also located there. I have been visiting
Kolkata since 1976. Kolkata is a densely populated city with old tram,
buses, man pulling rikshaws, hawkers, old buildings, new buildings, Eden
garden, Kali Ghat, Howrah bridge, smoke etc. With all these, it makes it a
city of joy. Kolkota is loved by everyone.
In Kolkata, Ballygunge is the home of Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Swami
Pranavanandaji Maharaj himself bought this property and built the Head
quarter of the Sangha there. He spent many of his glorious days there and
introduced many kinds of activities in the organization. His austerities,
his sacrifice for mankind, his love for the suffering one and his divine
presence made that place a pilgrim center for all of us. In Kolkata, you
will find the monastery, Sri Guru Temple, ‘Pranav’ monthly magazine office,
publications office, Shiva mandir and the presence of our revered president,
Vice president, General secretary and lots of other senior monks. This
building is located at 211 Rashbehari Avenue. Again at 219 Rashbehari Avenue
we have a cultural hall, students hostel, International guest house, Hindu
Milan mandir central office, Gymnasium, hospitals which included outdoor
clinic, Pathology, X-ray room, Mobile medical unit etc. Also we have yoga
clinic and scriptural study center, meditation room and arrangement of
spiritual counseling.
Hundreds of people visit our Kolkata Head office daily for many reasons.
Joka, our 500 Bed Future Hospital Compound
After Shiva-Ratri Festival, I began my journey out of Kolkata Head office.
First I went to see the land, which was acquire to build a 500-bed hospital
for the general public. It is located at a place call Joka, which is only
20/30 minutes away from the main Kolkata city. I could see the land is being
leveled, compound wall is under construction. Work is going on to finish up
the outdoor portion as early as possible. I was astonished and proud to see
that huge compound with lots of coconut and mango trees. The Swamiji in
charge is Swami Brahmatmananda who himself is a physician. He took me
everywhere and explain to me all the future plans. It is mentioned here that
one devotee from New York donated $300,000.00 to help with this project.
Surely we all will join hand in due time to help with that project.
Diamond Harbor
We have a beautiful Ashram near to the Dimond Harbor railway station. Apart
from the temple, monastery, charitable dispensary, accommodation for guests,
we also have a big Higher Secondary school there. The High school is very
popular and its annual results are outstanding. I observed adults and
children continuously entering the Ashram. The local Swamiji mentioned to me
that at the time of main festival, almost 20,000 people attend.
Block # 8
Devotees that go to Ganga Sagar can stay there for a night. This Ashram is
situated just at the bank of the Ganges. It is actually at the ferry ghat
which will take you at the other side of the Island pilgrim center of Ganga
Sagar. Vegetable garden, flower garden etc. made this Ashram very beautiful.
Ganga Sagar
Myself and one of my brother monk took a ferry and cross the Holy river
Ganges and dock at the island of Ganga Sagar. From there we took a taxi and
went to our big and famous Ganga Sagar Ashram. Just imagine Bharat Sevashram
Sangha is the biggest Ashram at Sagar-dwip. By the very hard work of Swami
Hanseswaranandaji Maharaj it was possible to build such a huge and beautiful
Ashram. We have hundreds of rooms for pilgrims who go to visit Kapil Muni
Ashram at Ganga-Sagar. Apart from that we have a beautiful temple,
charitable dispensary, monastery, free students hostel, primary school and
other facilities. Ganga Sagar Ashram is a masterpiece of Bharat Sevashram
Sangha.
Mahishadal
We traveled to Mahisadal by road. Mahisadal “Raj-bari”, Mahisadal Raj
College and Chariot festival of Mahishadal is very famous to all. Swami
Muktanandaji Maharaj one of the direct disciple of Swami Pranavanandaji
Maharaj build this Ashram. Coconut trees, flower garden, mango grove made
this Ashram look like Tapovan. This Ashram also has a charitable dispensary,
hostel for boys, temple, monastery and lots of other things. Mahisadal
Ashram produced many monks of the Sangha. It is one of the most peaceful
places on earth.
Horekhali
Only an hour away from Mahisadal Ashram we have another Ashram at Horekhali.
This Ashram is famous for it’s student hostel. Almost 200 poor boys stay
there free of charge. The Ashram provides their food, accommodations, school
fees and cloths.
Haldia seaport is not very far from the Ashram. There is a rapid change in
that area. Our local Swamiji has a very kind nature.
Barajori-Ghatshila
We came back to Kolkata and left the next day for Barajori-Ghatshila by
Ispat express. Swami Shivarupananda the architect of this Ashram was with
us. Barajori Ashram and tribal welfare center is around 4 k.m. away from
Ghatshila railway station. It is in Jharkhand state. While I was traveling
by our Ashram jeep, I recognized the dusty road, Jungle and poverty.
Thoughts came to my mind, why Swamiji came in this jungle to build an
Ashram? Once I reached the Ashram campus, I was amazed to see what he had
done there, it seem that he have build another Vatican city in the jungle.
It is a huge compound with 150 acres of land. It has residential school for
boys and separate residential school for girls. All are tribal children. All
together almost 600 people take three meals daily at the Ashram. These
schools and boarding are also free of charge. Children’s food, clothes,
teachers salary, accommodation etc. all are provided by the Ashram. Apart
from these two schools, there are 17 Primary schools run by the Barajori
Ashram in the deep jungle of Jharkhand. I myself went and visited some of
these schools.
There are also vegetable garden, 10 bed hospitals, monastery, guesthouse,
handlooms and many other kinds of activities are done by our Barajori
Ashram. Thanks to Swami Shivarupananda for his vigorous efforts and his
dedicated service.
Midnapur
In Midnapur district of West Bengal we have many Ashrams. I have already
mentioned about the Ashram in Mahishadal and Horekhali. We also have Ashram
in Midnapur town, Kharagpur and two Ashrams at Jhargram. All Ashrams are
doing lots of humanitarian services. They are helping people spiritually,
running schools, and standing by the people at the time of need. But I want
to tell you something about the Jhargram Pukuria Ashram. This is one of the
oldest Ashram of the Sangha.
A tribal community called “Lodha” lives in this area. They are very poor
people, because of such poverty they sometimes commit crimes. Bharat
Sevashram Sangha runs two schools there for them. Not only that, we have
free hostel facilities for boys. There are charitable dispensaries and
Ashram also creates lots of jobs for the Lodha people. The Ashram is really
doing a marvelous job for these neglected people.
Bankura
We traveled from Midnapur city to Bankura by train. It was very nice to see
the train running through the green field, vegetable garden and villages and
cities like Bishnupur etc. Bankura Ashram was founded by Pujjapada Sreemat
Swami Arupanandaji Maharaj, a direct disciple of Acharya Swami
Pranavanandaji Maharaj. I myself started my monastic life there. Many sweet
memories came to my mind. I remembered those days when I was very young and
didn’t know anything about monk life. Swami Arupanandaji very patiently
thought me everything. He showed me how to do Guru Seva, cooking, art of
yoga, meditation, puja, how to behave in public, study of scriptures and
gardening. Bankura ashram is a beauty to that city. It consists of temple,
students hostel, library, guesthouse, charitable dispensary, monastic
training center, overall it is a heavenly environment for the devotees.
Bankura Ashram does lots of philanthropic activities in this poor district
of West Bengal.
Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur Ashram became a symbol of vigor, courage, sacrifice, dedication
and pride for all. If I write properly about the multifarious activities of
this Ashram, it will be a huge book. At the main Ashram campus on 30 acres
of land there are three big schools, high school for boys and high school
for girls, English medium co-ed high school and primary schools. There are
hostels for poor tribal boys. It is a wonderful view to see around 400
tribal boys growing up in the Ashram environment. There is guests house,
monks quarters, a very big beautiful temple, gymnasium, vegetable and flower
garden, mango trees, kathahar trees, eye clinic and many more facilities are
there.
Outside of the main Ashram campus there are hundreds kinds of activities
done by the Jamshedpur Ashram. Leprosy hospitals, general hospitals,
schools, hostels, handlooms, building homes for the homeless people, eye
clinic, mobile medical clinics, eye operation camp, feeding the poor,
helping people monetarily and lots of other works. I would like to mention
here that seven days is not enough to see the various services that are done
by this Ashram. As I see our Swamiji created many jobs for the local people,
I even saw Swamiji giving money and clothes to a very poor man for his
daughter marriage. I think it run six to seven hospitals for leprosy
patients and general people. The whole Singbhum and Santhal Pargana district
is covered by Jamshedpur Ashram.
Thanks to Swami Jnanatmanandaji Maharaj and his group of wonderful monks for
their vigor and sacrifice.
Ranchi
Ranchi is the capital of newly created Jharkhand state. Our Ashram is also
new there. A property was donated by a doctor family which used to be an old
age home. The local Swamiji opened a student hostel for tribal boys. Around
17 to 18 boys stay there. Swamiji is trying his best to make that Ashram
beautiful. It is the beginning stage, a time of struggle for money,
communication, food and mental tension. I am sure that this young, vibrant
and wise Swamiji will do very good there. People will be very much benefited
by him.
Vaidyanath-Dham
It is a very popular pilgrim place for Hindus. Vaidyanath Shiva Temple is
the main attraction there. This temple city brings thousands of people there
everyday. Baba Vaidyanath Shiva mandir is one of the dwadash jyotir-lingam
we have in India. It is very auspicious, very famous and a very popular
temple there.
Apart from that, Vaidyanath dham is the home of ‘Satsang’ head quarter
founded by Sri Sri Anukul Tahkur. Also there is Balananda Brahmachari Ashram
where Sri Sri Mohanananda Brahmachari Maharaj spent many of his years
practicing spirituality. Recently after the maha samadhi of Mohananandaji
Maharaj, a Mohan mandir is also being built. There is also a huge and
beautiful Ramakrishna mission Ashram there.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha didn’t have any Ashram there. Very recently we got a
beautiful property just in front of the Mohan mandir. Seven bighas of land
and a nice home was donated to us by a devotee. I was very pleased to see
this nice piece of land. Lots of projects can be done there. This place
needs lots of help from us. Anybody who go to Vaidyanath dham please go and
visit our new Ashram and help in whatever way you could to make this Ashram
beautiful.
Swami Bhutesanananda a young and dynamic monk is working very hard to make
this palce a place of peace.
Raipur
From Vaidyanathdham I travel all the way to Raipur, the capital of newly
created chhatisgarh state. Bharat Sevashram Sangha runs a beautiful English
medium school there. It is a unique piece of property. Local Swamiji is
trying very hard to develop and improve this place. We need lots of help
there also.
Apart from schools we also have a Milan mandir where our temple and monk’s
quarter is situated.
From Raipur I went to visit Mana camp. Probably you might remember that at
the time of the division of Bengal in 1947 lakhs of people became refugees.
Government of India brought thousands of them there in that dandaka forest.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha used to distribute relief materials for a long time.
The Sangha has a small Milan mandir and are still working among the people
there. If I
Iwas not there I would have never knew what pain people went through and how
they were thrown away from there own home. I will request all of you, please
go and see how they are suffering.
Jabalpur
My next stop was at Jabalpur of M.P state of India. The local swamiji was
very enthusiastic, he is doing wonderful work there. We have a temple,
computer-training center, yoga school, tribal welfare project and mobile
medical unit. We also have farmland away from the city, which produces wheat
and vegetables. These are used for Ashram inhabitants. We celebrated Vasanti
puja there.
From Jabalpur we visited Amar Kantak, one of the most popular pilgrim
centers in India. Amar Kantak is the birthplace of Narmada and Son River.
Bhupal
From Jabalpur we traveled to Bhupal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh
state. Swami Arpitanandaji built a beautiful Ashram there. Swamiji is a very
hard working monk and his vision for the future made that place very active.
At this Ashram we have Hatha-yoga center and most mentionable is our
acupuncture clinic. Every morning almost 30-40 people come for this
treatment. Bhupal Ashram also has a monastery and a beautiful Sir Guru
Temple.
Ujjain-Kumbh-Mela
Relief work
Ujjain Mahakaleswar Shiva mandir is also one of the dwadash Jyotir lingam of
Lord Shiva. It is besides the bank of the Shipra River. This year Kumbha
Mela was close by. I was desperate to go and take a holy dip in the Shipra
River to wash away all my sins.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha does massive relief work at Kumbh Mela. We arrange
accommodation for pilgrims, medical clinic, helping people to take holy dip
at sacred river, helping people to find their lost one’s, Sadhu sammelan,
distributing drinking water and satsang. Our camp is one of the most
attractions at any Kumbh Mela. I was very fortunate to be there with my
other brother monks and take part in serving the moksha seekers.
Delhi
I reached Delhi via Bhupal by train. Train journey in India is very pleasant
to me, also it is safe. Delhi is the political capital of modern India. A
booming city, it is busy with millions of people. In my monastic life, I
myself spend almost fifteen years in Delhi.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha has a beautiful Ashram in South Delhi area. Temple
of Sri Sri Guru Maharaj, Lord Rama, Devi Seeta & Laxman, temple of Lord
Krishna, Shiva & Durga are all there. There are also beautiful rooms for
guests, computer training center, students hostel, medical clinic, Dental
clinic, mobile medical unit, religious bookstall etc. are there. Several
Prime Ministers of India and many dignitaries have visited this Ashram. As I
have heard from local Swamiji in-charge, that plan is going on to purchase a
piece of land at Noida area and they will build a modern residential school
there.
Conclusion
With sadness in my heart, it was time for me to leave mother India, my
brother monks, Ashrams and the wonderful people. Two of my brother monks
came with me to Indira Gandhi International Airport to see me off. There
were tears in their eyes and it was also a very emotional time for me. Air
India did not hesitate to take me into the deep sky and drop me in a land
which I do not belongs to.
I was happy to see the progress of our country and the rapid expansion work
that Bharat Sevashram Sangha is doing for the needy people in India.
|
