“The guru is the awakened God, awakening the sleeping God in the disciple….A guru is, among all men, the best of givers. Like the Lord Himself, his generosity knows no bounds.”
— Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Dear Divine Atman,
Warm greetings from Gurudeva’s ashrams in India! As the sacred day of Guru Purnima (July 21) approaches, our hearts offer soul homage to Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, Gurudeva and Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, and to the YSS line of Gurus. There is no greater gift on the spiritual path than being drawn to a Guru, a God-united soul, who can lead us from our maya-bound human nature to limitless freedom in God.
Out of gratitude for the spiritual treasures bestowed upon them by the Guru, and to express their devotion, Yogoda devotees often approach us seeking opportunities to support the YSS work — the vehicle and embodiment of Paramahansaji’s teachings and legacy in India. In this message, we share with you several such opportunities where we need the financial support of devotees for the completion of vital projects undertaken in recent months:
- Expansion of the premises and upgradation of guest facilities at YSS Dakshineswar Ashram
- Employing talented devotees to meet the rapid growth of YSS
- Renovation works in YSS Ranchi Ashram
The estimated cost of these projects is ₹10 Crore.
While upgrading our ashram facilities to meet contemporary standards, we have strived to preserve the spiritual ambience that has been the hallmark of YSS ashrams, thus ensuring that devotees continue to have the same sublime experience as in the past. We welcome you to visit our ashrams and use these new facilities, spend time in divine communion and spiritual study, and thus renew and rejuvenate yourself within these sacred environs.
We are deeply grateful for your support — whether through financial contributions, seva, or prayers — in creating or renovating these sacred spaces where thousands come for spiritual renewal. We are honoured to have you as part of Guruji’s worldwide family, united in seeking God together.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda said, “I want you to know that all who are interested in the work are personally taken care of by me. I have placed you in the care of my personal love. I will do my utmost to help you to carry on here and in the beyond.”
This Guru Purnima, may the light of Gurudeva’s divine love fill your life abundantly. Jai Guru!
In divine friendship,
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
Read the full appeal below:
This sacred ashram located on the banks of the holy Ganges was acquired during Guruji’s time and has since become a spiritual sanctuary for thousands of devotees. To accommodate the ever-increasing number of devotees and visitors who seek solace here daily, we plan to expand the premises by acquiring adjoining land and enhancing our guest facilities to meet modern standards.
Enhancing Guest Accommodation: All rooms in the Guest House have been completely renovated, and now feature brand-new beds, mattresses, curtains, rugs, bathroom fixtures, and furniture. Rooms have been fitted with air conditioning, ensuring comfort even during summer months. The corridors in the guesthouse have been freshly tiled and the entire building has been repainted.
Modernizing Kitchen and Dining Facilities: The Central Kitchen has been upgraded with a better design, new stoves and equipment, and brighter lighting to create a clean and efficient work environment. The Dining Hall has been expanded to two levels and completely renovated with new tables and chairs to accommodate the increasing number of devotees who stay in the ashram, attend Sunday Satsangas, or visit throughout the week.
Devotees have been sending in many appreciative testimonials. Here are two of them:
“I was at Dakshineswar [recently]. As I entered the ashram, the serenity was palpable…The standard of cleanliness and hygiene in and around the accommodations was very high. The newly established kitchen was immaculate and well-organized. The serene atmosphere and impeccable hospitality made my visit truly enriching.” — S. C., U. P.
“The renovated rooms in the Guest House are very comfortable and tastefully done. I was at Dakshineswar during a very hot spell in April and had wonderful meditations. Thanks to the air-conditioned rooms — I didn’t feel the heat” — H. K., W. B.
Expanding the Sacred Precincts: The current Dhyana Mandir is too small to accommodate the large number of devotees attending Sunday Satsangas, special commemorations, and other major events. As a temporary solution, we have converted the veranda of the Main Building into a meditation hall by installing air-conditioning and covering the open spaces with heavy blue drapes. Despite these efforts, this arrangement is proving to be inadequate.
Needless to say, there is a pressing need for a large meditation hall to accommodate the growing congregation.
By God and Gurudeva’s grace, two plots of land adjacent to the Dakshineswar ashram (north of the ashram Guest House) became available for sale, which YSS has now purchased. These purchases will enable YSS to expand its facilities, and also build a large meditation hall to accommodate the ever-increasing number of guests and visitors to Dakshineswar Ashram.
In recent years, YSS has witnessed an unprecedented surge in new enrolments, a testament to the enduring appeal of Gurudeva’s teachings. Additionally, the present digital age compels us to digitize and automate several work areas such as Finance, Books and Lessons distribution, Devotee Correspondence, Web Design, and Social Media. To effectively serve our expanding devotee family, and keep pace with the rapidly changing world around us, we are offering several innovative digital platforms, making it easier for everyone to access and benefit from Gurudeva’s life-transforming teachings.
Alongside this growth, regulatory and compliance requirements by the Government have increased. Our monastics, who are primarily focused on conducting spiritual programmes, giving discourses, and providing counselling, are finding it challenging to meet these growing operational demands.
To cater to these needs, and to free our monastics to focus on serving the spiritual needs of the growing membership, YSS has recently hired many talented professionals from our devotee community. These dedicated individuals, working across various areas, include:
- IT professionals: Spearheading the digital dissemination of Gurudeva’s teachings
- Doctors: Serving in our charitable dispensaries
- Chartered Accountants: Ensuring our financial integrity and compliance
- Organizational Development Experts: Enhancing and stream-lining our internal operations
- Other essential staff: Supporting various critical functions
Fortunately, these devotees not only excel in their fields but also embody Gurudeva’s spirit in their work, ensuring that we maintain the essence of our mission while expanding our operational capacity.
Moreover, recent government notifications have substantially increased the minimum wages for unskilled and semi-skilled workers, such as gardeners, cooks, and other staff. These changes, coupled with our need for professional hires, have increased our annual salary bill by ₹ 2 Crore.
In our previous newsletter during Janmotsav, we shared news of several significant renovation projects that have begun at the Ranchi ashram, aimed at creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth and rejuvenation. We are delighted to report that substantial progress has been made on these initiatives:
- Guest House Upgradation: The finishing works for both the Main Guest House and the Ladies Guest House are now underway, and we anticipate these facilities will be fully functional by October 2024. These renovations include converting dormitories into individual/family rooms, repairing structural damages, and adding a floor to the Ladies Guest House to increase our accommodation capacity.
- Auditorium Renovation: The work on the 1,100-seater auditorium is proceeding at a remarkable pace and is expected to be completed by early January 2025. The comprehensive renovation includes rebuilding the roof with new heat-insulating sheets, installing state-of-the-art audio-video equipment, and air-conditioning systems.
Ancillary Projects: Along with the above projects, we have undertaken the renovation of several older structures within the ashram. These include:
- Old booths in the Maidan (used for Reception and Registration during Sangams)
- Toilet block near the auditorium
- Staff quarters, and storage areas
The renovated auditorium and the additional guest rooms necessitate an enhancement of our electricity capacity, leading to the installation of a new 50 KW transformer and 125 KVA DG Set.
Financial Overview and Future Needs: For these projects at the Ranchi Ashram, we have received significant contributions through your generosity. An additional ₹ 4 Crore is needed to complete these vital renovation projects.
We are grateful for your help and look forward to welcoming you to these enhanced facilities soon.
We deeply appreciate your unwavering support and dedication to Gurudeva’s mission. With your help, we hope to secure the ₹ 10 Crore needed to enhance the facilities at Ranchi and Dakshineswar ashrams, and to hire dedicated employees to support our ongoing growth.
Our prayers and friendship are ever with you.
