Ranchi: More than 10,000 devotees and visitors participated in the 133rd Janmotsav celebrations of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda at the Yogoda Ashram in Ranchi, organised by the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS).
The day-long celebrations began in the morning with a special commemorative group meditation, followed by a discourse titled “Guru: Speaking Voice of Silent God” delivered by Swami Shraddhananda Giri. The programme was live-streamed through the Yogoda Satsanga Online Dhyan Kendra on the Zoom platform, enabling thousands of devotees from across the world to join the event virtually.
The morning session was followed by devotional bhajans led by Brahmacharis Bhaskarananda and Kaivalyananda, along with Guru Puja and a yajna at the Shiv Mandir within the ashram premises. The spiritual atmosphere drew devotees from Ranchi as well as neighbouring areas.
The highlight of the celebrations was the Janmotsav Bhandara, organised for devotees and members of the public from Ranchi city and nearby villages. Beginning at noon and continuing till late afternoon, the bhandara witnessed long queues at the ashram entrance, leading to a large open maidan inside. Scores of YSS devotees enthusiastically served Guru prasad, comprising khichdi, chutney and laddoo, to the guests. More than 10,000 people were served prasad during the bhandara.
The celebrations concluded in the evening with a special meditation session.
As part of the annual observance of Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s birth anniversary, YSS conducts meditation, kirtans and service activities. In December, the ashram carried out seva initiatives by distributing blankets to underprivileged residents of Angara village and the leprosy-affected colony at Nirmal Awas near Mudma in Ranchi. These efforts continued on January 2, when meals were served to the needy residents of the leprosy-affected colony.
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India was founded by Paramahansa Yoganandaji in 1917 with the objective of making the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga—an ancient spiritual science originating in India—available in India and neighbouring countries. Further information is available at yssi.org.