Introduction Spiritual Background Samadhi Shrine Vishwanath Temple Bhajan Hall Sivananda Pillar Organisation A Typical Day Programmes Branches of the Divine Life Society Return

The entire atmosphere of the Sivananda Ashram is spiritual. To live in the Ashram for a few days is by itself a spiritual experience and sadhana. Many devotees visit the Ashram to get themselves spiritually charged. There are several spiritual, academic and welfare activities carried out by the Divine Life Society at the Ashram. The visitor may select activities of his choice and participate in them. Some of the regular activities are:

Hatha Yoga:

There are regular classes of Yogasana and Pranayama in separate batches for men and women.

Bhakti Yoga:

In the Bhajan Hall non-stop kirtan (chanting) of the Mahamantra (Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare) is going on round-the-clock continuously since 3rd Dec. 1943.

Puja is done in the Viswanath temple thrice a day with the traditional rituals. During the morning puja, samkirtan (group singing) of the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' is also done from 6.00 to 7.00 in the morning. Anyone is free to participate in the puja and samkirtan.

In the Samadhi Mandir (Temple) daily Paduka Puja, 3 time puja, chanting of the 'Om Namo Narayanaya' Mantra, group recitation of Vishnusahasranama Stotram and other activities take place.

Round-the-clock group chanting is done on the eve of Purnima (full moon day), Amavasya (new moon eve day) and many other special days.

Special celebrations and puja are arranged on important festivals.

Puja is done in the morning and evening in the Durga Mandir and Dattatreya Mandir.

Satsang:

The daily evening satsanga in the Samadhi Mandir is a very important activity of the Ashram. The programme includes recitation of stotras and Bhagavad Gita, a spiritual discourse. Bhajan, kirtan, samkirtan, concluding prayers, aarati, etc. Usually the senior Swamijis see some of the visitors (mainly newly arrived ones and those who are to leave) after the aarati.

The daily early-evening satsanga in 'Gurudev Kutir' and Ganga aarati are also regular features.
In the afternoon, Matri-satsanga (satsanga for ladies) is conducted in the library hall.

Meditation:

Daily in the morning from 5.00 to 6.00 a.m., there is a session of prayer, meditation and a brief talk. In the evening, the one-hour meditation session is in the office of the General Secretary. Many sadhakas do Japa and meditation for long time inside their rooms, in Samadhi Mandir, Viswanath Mandir, Dattareya Mandir or on the Ganga bank.

Jnana yoga:

1. The Society runs the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy.
2. Some scholars are conducting regular daily classes on different scriptures.

Library:

There is a very spacious library with a good stock of spiritual books. The library also receives a large number of spiritual magazines.

Audio-visual Library: We have recently established an Audio-visual Library and are continuously expanding and updating it.

Spiritual functions and celebrations:

Some of the functions and celebrations which have become regular features of the Ashram Calendar are as follows:
Spiritual Retreats:

1. Sadhana Week: As a very large number of devotees come to the Ashram on Guru Purnima, a one-week Sadhana Shibir (spiritual retreat) is organized from the following day. Discourses of eminent spiritual dignitaries and other spiritual programmes are arranged. In the evening, cultural programmes are also organized.
2. Christmas Retreat: The devotees from cold countries prefer to visit the Ashram during December and January. So, a special spiritual retreat is held during Christmas.
3. " Akhanda Kirtan: Non-stop chanting is arranged on all the Purnimas, Amavasyas and on the eve of certain special days like Mahasivaratri, Gauranga Mahaprabhu Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Sivananda Jayanti, Anniversary of Akhanda Mahamantra Samkirtana, Anniversary of Viswanath Mandir.
4. " Special Pujas: 9 day Navaratri Puja, Six-day Skanda Puja, night-long Siva Puja on the Mahasivaratri Day, special Puja on Sri Krishna Jayanti, Sri Rama Jayanti, etc. are performed with great enthusiasm.
5. " Special Day Celebrations: Special programmes are held on the Lunar New Year Day, Sri Rama Navami, Adi-Sankaracharya Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Aradhana Day (Punyatithi of Swami Sivananda), Birthday Anniversaries of Swami Sivananda and other saints, Vijaya Dasami, Dipavali, Sri Bhagavad Gita Jayanti, etc.