Monday, January 30, 2006

National Youth Day 2006

At 10 in the forenoon, a procession consisting of about 2,000 youth, starting from Naya Tupudana winding its way through Tupudana Chowk, Bagichatoli reached Vivekananda Chowk at the Sanatorium. The Secretary of the Sanatorium led the procession assisted by many monks. Earlier when the procession began Sardarni Satwant Kaur, Amarjit Kaur and Sardar Manohar Singh and members of his family Trust, Tupudana distributed chocolates among the participating students bringing cheers to everyone.
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It was seen in the procession quite a number of boys and girls carrying colourful posters and placards depicting the invaluable teachings of Swamiji. The length of the procession itself was about one kilometre, which included vehicles like Trucks and Tractors wherein youth members were reading out from Swamiji's teachings.
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Among the Schools that participated were Dungri Govt. Vidyalaya, Hatia Sri Gobind Bal Vidyalaya, Kharsidag Kasturuba Vidyalaya, Hatia Mahatama Gandhi Vidyalaya and Tupudana S S Niketan Vidyalaya, Youth members of Swami Vivekananda Yuva Club, Oberia and Sanatorium Vivekananda Yuva Club. About 2,000 students as well as teaching staff of these schools participated. The march past by students was led by a band playing group of our Vivekananda Vidyalaya.
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After reaching Sanatorium, the procession stood in line before the beautiful statue of Swami Vivekananda installed at the Sanatorium office chowk. The statue was tastefully decorated with marigold flowers and garlands, the orange colour of the flowers contrasting with the black tiles was indeed captivating!
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One by one, some of the Sanatorium Maharajjis, one teacher from each school and guests from USA and senior staff placed flowers at the feet of Swamiji. In a separate pandal erected for this occasion a meeting followed.
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The chief guest on the occasion, Smt Purnima Ray from USA lighted the lamp before Swamiji's decorated photo. She and her husband Prof Vivek Ray were Research Scientists in USA and Smt Purnima Ray gave one thousand US dollars towards the installation of statue. Another donor Sri Diptiman Roy Choudhury of Ranchi was also present.
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Swami Suvratananda sang an opening song on Swamiji depicting wonderful qualities that shone in his mesmeric personality. With him on tabla was Secretary Maharaj.
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In his welcome address Swami Vimokshananda, the Secretary of the Sanatorium said that every word of Swamiji was like a spark which would ignite everyone's heart. A true Patriot, according to Swamiji, must have 'feeling' of the heart.
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The programme started with a recital of Swadesh Mantra of Swamiji led by Sri Ajay Kumar, the whole gathering repeating with him in a loud voice, was indeed inspiring.
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Students Lakshmi Kumari, Suroj Choudhury of Hatia Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya, Subhas Kumar, Anil Hezda, Gulson Lohar of Hatia Govind Bal Mandir, Mukesh Nayak, Jyoti Kumari of Tupudana S S Niketan, Rajesh Nayak of Oberia Vivekananda Club participated in different capacities such as singing, speaking, reciting poems etc.
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Smt Purnima Ray and Prof Vivek Ray addressed the students reminding about the wonderful contribution of Swamiji. While Smt Purnima Ray spoke with great emotion and added a personal touch - how Swamiji came into her life and brought a wonderful change - Prof Vivek Ray emphasised on the manifestation of perfection already in man.
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Swami Kripatmananda read some childhood chivalry incidents of Swamiji in Hindi from the Life of Vivekananda to the delight of the students. Swami Pratibhananda and Swami Satyeshananda spoke about the core teachings that can be applied to the day-to-day life of everyone.
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That the boy students of Vivekananda Vidyalaya continued to play band in different tunes throughout the procession, attracted appreciative attention of everyone.
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The entire programme was compered and concluded by Sri Pradip Kumar Palit, President of Sanatorium Vivekananda Yuva Club. Lastly the closing song was soulfully sung by Sri Pradip Sasmal. Sufficient quantity of tasty Khichuri prasad was distributed to everyone.

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Gitanandaji's Visit

In September 2005 the holy visit of Most Revered Srimat Swami Gitanandaji Maharaj, Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Order to Ranchi Sanatorium was eventful. At the main entrance of the Sanatorium, near the guesthouse a beautiful natural gate with leaves and flowers was there to welcome him on the 19th morning. He came here from Jamshedpur accompanied by his Secretary, Swami Devatwananda. Revered Maharaj was given a rousing reception by the assembled devotees and villagers. On entering the Sanatorium, the Vice-President Maharaj straight went to the shrine hall. He offered arghya and pushpanjali to the Holy Trio. Thereafter, the devotees from City and the villages paid their obeisance to the Sanghaguru. Ranchi Sanatorium had the privilege of having him as Secretary in 70s and as such his visit was aptly called home-coming!
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At 4.00 pm Revered Maharaj was taken to Indoor where he was pleased to see the place in spick and span. He was welcomed by doctors, nurses and other staff. He straight went to SSLNT Ward, which he inaugurated by cutting the ribbon, lighting the lamp and unveiling the plaque. There the circumstances of how the closed ward for 14 years got reopened now were explained to him. This could be possible with the munificence of one young lady from abroad who two years back visited our centre. She saw the dilapidated condition and took a lively interest in getting it renovated and refurbished. Hence for this purpose she sent from her country a handsome amount as donation from her side in memory of her parents who just passed away two years back.

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At RK Ward Revered Maharaj was welcomed by the In-patients who stood in line and offered flowers at his holy feet. One patient had prepared a beautiful garland, which he placed it reverentially. Thereafter Revered Maharaj distributed fruit packets to every patient individually by enquiring about his health. His affection to the ailing moved the hearts of many an onlooker.
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From the hospital gate to the Ananda Nilaya Revered Maharaj and other sadhus were taken in a procession bounded by two rows of young ruralfolk bedecked in their paramparik paridhan and Jharkhandi nritya singing joyously a welcome geet in chorus.
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A brief and interesting programme was awaiting Revered Maharaj at Ananda Nilaya, the entertainment hall for the staff and patients. The Dharmasabha started with vedic chanting by monastics of the Sanatorium. Swami Subratananda sang a welcome song depicting the necessity of a Guru. He was accompanied in tabla by Sumit. Kumari Monisha Layek (10), daughter of an employee, welcomed on behalf of the staff and their families by garlanding Revered Maharaj.
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On behalf of the Indoor patients one Sri Ramesh Parui also garlanded Revered Maharaj. At the request of the Secretary of the Sanatorium, Revered Maharaj released the printed annual report RECOVERY for 2003-04. This report contains lot of news about the Sanatorium with attractive photographs and printed in multicolour art sheets Posted by Picasa


Thereafter Revered Maharaj presented one shawl each to those staff members who had completed 30 years or more of service in the Sanatorium. There were 33 staff members among whom seven had already retired from service but continuing to stay within the campus of the Sanatorium and to render honorary seva. In his address, Revered Maharaj spoke highly about the dedication of these staff. He also emphasised the need for creating proper atmosphere for the growth of women in Jharkhand. Dr Sujit Kumar Pal, an eminent Radiologist of Ranchi and also member & treasurer of the Managing Committee gave a fitting vote of thanks. In the end of the programme a closing song was presented by Sri Pradip Sasmal and accompanied in tabla by Sri Bikash Kumar Roy both employees of the Sanatorium.
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The next day dawned with reverberating spiritual atmosphere in the Ashrama campus. Revered Maharaj gave mantra diksha on 20th and 21st to 125 local devotees, which included 75 adivasi devotees. On 21st after the initiation ceremony, Revered Maharaj gave away new sarees to 31 women devotees who were blessed with diksha. This was part of distribution of sarees to 1,150 village womenfolk throughout the Year of the Mother.
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In the evening on 20th Revered Maharaj reached the temple via Hatia dam at Jagannathpur by 5.00 pm along with a host of Swamis and Brahmacharins followed by Mission’s devotees. The Nyas Samity of Lord Jagannatha Swami Temple had made traditional arrangements to accord hearty welcome to Revered Maharaj. He was received by the members of Nyas Samity at simhadwar (Lion Entrance). He went inside the temple and performed puja-archana. After making obeisance to Lord Jagannatha he went round and saw the renovation work of the Temple. Later he sat under the famous Bel tree and spoke words of blessings to all those assembled. Later Most Revered Maharaj made a humble donation of Rs.20,000/= to the Temple Re-construction Committee towards renovation purpose. On 21st evening Revered Maharaj left for Morhabadi Ashrama where he stayed up to 24th.

Jagaddhatri Puja 2005

Adhiwas and after.....

The celebration began on 9th November with adhiwas in the evening. On 10th the Puja was performed in three stages namely forenoon, noon and afternoon. At 3.30 PM a Yagna was undertaken with the motto of universal peace and prosperity. Durga Saptasati recital was done three times till the starting of yagna. From 1 PM onward Khitchuri prasad was distributed among an estimated gathering of 22 thousand devotees who stood in serpentine line in an orderly manner. At 6.30 PM the omnipresent Mother Jagaddhatri charmingly glowed when the wonderful twilight- worship (sandhyarati) was done with waving of 32-jhar pradeep. On 11th the image was immersed at the close of sunset in our own reservoir while earlier in the morning the darpan visarjan was performed with due solemnity. It was a charming scene when the image was carried on a tractor surrounded by innumerable devotees including a large number of local adivasis who spontaneously went into a dancing mood to the vibrant beating of Dhakis who were specially brought from Bankura.

Mela and khela.....

A spiritual atmosphere was created when the monastics and devotees of the Sanatorium sang several songs in praise of Divine Mother. In a separate pandal adjacent to the mandap, adivasi devotional songs were rendered by the disciples of internationally famous Sri Bharat Nayak, an exponent in nagpuri style of music. School children joyously danced to his tunes. It is well known that the blissful Mother's worship is popularly known as Jagaddhatri mela among the villagers. It was a sight to see a good number of small vendors appearing on the scene displaying their wares. With grand jubilance the people were making purchases from the small shops. The surging children had a field day when they could lay their tiny hands on charming toys. Mention must be made of the Book Sale Counter put up by an enterprising young man with a team of able assistants.

Men and women.....

The Puja was performed by Swami Shantatmanandaji from the Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters Belur Math. Along with him Swami Swatantranandaji from Kankurgachi Yogodyan Math had also come and acted as Tantradharaka. Besides, Swami Paradevananda, ex-head of Bagerhat centre of Bangladesh, Swami Suprakashananda, the present head of Vrindaban centre, Brahmachari Dharmachaitanya of Malda and several other swamijis and brahmacharins from Morhabadi also participated. Br. Dharmachaitanya (Bhola Maharaj of Malda) simply charmed the crowded gathering with his sonorous singing. Three times chandipatha was avidly done by Sri Nirjhar Bhattacharjee from Baguihati. Sri Sadananda Ganguly from Howrah led a dedicated group of devotees who helped in the performance of the elaborate Puja rituals. One of the leading idol- makers and a resident of Shantipur, West Bengal Sri Santosh Kumar Pal, prepared this image. For the last 46 years he has been making this beautiful image. Women devotess of Sarada Seva Sangha, Howrah and Sarada Kalyan of Rahara lent their dexterous helping hands in decoration.

Cash and kind.....

The credit for successful completion of the Divine Mother's worship largely goes to the Sanatorium’s employees, their family members as well as to the local people. The spontaneous participation of all concerned including the youth members of Vivekananda Clubs of Sanatoriun, Dungri and Oberia was a noteworthy aspect of the Puja. Swami Vimokshananda, the Secretary of the Sanatorium expresses his grateful thanks to and prayers for all those people from Ranchi and outside all over the country and abroad who contributed willingly in cash and kind.

Puja and the Patient...

It is pertinent that this memorable puja was indeed started by one in-patient of this Sanatorium in 1958. He was late Bhupati Bose from Howrah. It is said that he had a divine aadesh in dream one day for doing Devi Puja. The then Secretary Maharaj late Swami Vedantanandaji rejected his offer saying that doing Durga Puja in a hospital set up is not a joke. But Bhupati, distressed at the decision, prayed to the Mother and sought excuse for his inability to carry out Her wish. Who can eventually stop the Divine Will? He again dreamt of the Mother who said that there was one-day Puja also available! On hearing about the second dream, Vedantanandaji was ready to reconsider his decision and acceded to the patient's request for Jagaddhatri worship. Bhupati himself prepared the image beautifully for consecutive two years. The entire staff and all the in- patients stood together in completing the one-day Puja with great devotion.

more details.....

For more details on Sri Sri Jagaddhatri Puja please visit our special site


Divine Mother Sri Sri Jagaddhatri in full regalia being worshipped with arati Posted by Picasa


Navami Puja of Sri Sri Jagaddhatri Posted by Picasa


School children guided by teacher Smt Sushma Kacchap dancing in joy! Posted by Picasa


Tribal Disciples of Sri Bharatji, an internationally famous exponent of Art & Music performing bhajans Posted by Picasa


More than 22,000 people thronged the venue and received prasad Posted by Picasa


A near-view of Jagaddhatri moorti Posted by Picasa



Ready for visarjan (immersion) Posted by Picasa


Being taken through the sal woods to the water reservoir Posted by Picasa


After visarjan Shanti jal (peace water) is sprinkled on the assembled devotees marking the culmination of the three-day long Puja. Posted by Picasa