Report of Activities 2008

January
The New Year was graced by the most precious gift of all, darshan of Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Guests and residents were blessed with an inspiring satsang and the New Year dawned with Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s spontaneous and potent message for 2008: “The happiness you are searching for lives within; it is not outside.” The kanyas welcomed the New Year with a havan by chanting the mantra of peace, plenty, prosperity and well-being given by Sri Swamiji for Rikhiapeeth, Aim Hreem Kleem Om. Satsang was followed by guests witnessing Sri Swamiji’s central teaching of ‘giving’ as they attended the distribution of Prasad to villagers in Tapowan.

The distribution of Prasad on New Year’s day was a continuation of the distributions that began on the first day of the 2007 Sat Chandi Mahayajna, and which continued up until Makar Sankranti on 14th January 2008. Daily distribution of Yajna Prasad was conducted, reaching out to over 250 villages from 19 panchayats of Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s ever expanding family. More than 20,000 families were the recipients of utility kits consisting of: karhai, steel ghara, topia, glass, thali and katori, quilt, bedcover, blanket, dari, towel, bucket, calendar, cardigan, sweater, shawl, sari, thermal underwear, shirt, dhoti, muffler, cap, shoes and socks, ribbon and comb, rice, coconut and mustard oil – all the necessities of a household!

The old age pensioners and widows of Rikhia Panchayat received additional warm clothes. In addition, schoolbags, stationary and notebooks were distributed to thousands of students from the local schools. Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s sankalpa for peace, wellbeing, plenty and prosperity for all manifested in a continuous flow of material and spiritual wealth which was distributed for over one month to tens of thousands in the form of Devi Prasad.

Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti was celebrated on 14th January and just like the sun, radiating warmth and light, Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati came out to bless all present with satsang and darshan. This was followed by the final distribution of Prasad to villagers in Tapowan. The highlight of distribution was the smiling and glowing faces of the deserving moped and wheelchair recipients, which were presented with on behalf of Sivananda Math.

The day was concluded with a bhoj for the kanyas and batuks, their parents and the senior citizens of Rikhia Panchayat who receive a monthly stipend from Sivananda Math. After the bhoj, the kanyas and batuks received yet another new outfit and their fathers received a shirt and a shawl. The old age pensioners departed with their arms full of practical items including: kurta, lungi, lota, mustard oil, jaggery, dal, rice and assorted seasonal vegetables.

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