Joydev Kenduli is a village and gram panchayat located in the Ilambazar community development block within the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India. Renowned as the cradle of Baul music, this village sits along the banks of the Ajoy River. It is also famous as the birthplace of the poet Jaydev, author of the "Gita Govinda" and a court poet of Lakshmansen. Joydev Kenduli hosts one of the largest Baul fairs during Makar Sankranti.

Bedonasha Botoashram was established in 1935 (Bengali calendar year 1341) by Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami, Guru of Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati. This revered pilgrimage site gets its name from a giant banyan tree planted by Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami on the ashram grounds in front of the main building. It so happened, Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami picked up a dry branch, used to ignite flames in the burning pyre, about 5-7 inches thick and five times the length of a human hand, which was floating by the Ajoy River. After planting it, He urinated on it to infuse it with life, prophesying that it would grow into a large banyan tree under which Sadhu Guru Vaishnav service would be conducted. Miraculously, the branch did indeed grow into a huge banyan tree, fulfilling His prophecy and establishing itself as the site for annual Sadhu Guru Vaishnav service. This phenomenon, where a dead branch transformed into a flourishing banyan tree, is considered to defy the conventional Vedic cycle of life and death, leading to the tree being called Bedonasha Botobrikhho (the tree that defies the principles of Vedas).

Joydev Botoashram is a significant center for sadhana, devotional singing, and worship. It holds great importance for the disciples and devotees of Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, as many memorable events and miracles have occurred here. Devotees have experienced miraculous cures from severe illnesses, childless couples have been blessed with children and innumerable devotees got saved from grave dangers by the grace of Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami and Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati.

Every year in the month of January , Joydev Mahotsav is celebrated at this ashram with great enthusiasm spanning over a period of 4 days.

The ashram building was completed in March 1963. A notable disciple of Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, Sri Biren Mullick, a descendant of Raja Rajendra Mullick from Kolkata, along with other disciples such as Purnananda Pandey and Dhwajadhari Mondal, donated the land and contributed to the construction of the ashram. 

Direction: The nearest airport to the ashram is Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Durgapur, West Bengal, at a distance of  33 km from ashram. The nearest railway stations are Bolpur(31km) and Durgapur (26km) railways stations. From Bolpur or Durgapur bus or hired cabs can be availed to reach Joydev. Kolkata to Bolpur/Durgapur direct bus service is also available. For exact location and driving directions please type Monoharkhyapa Babar Ashram, in Google Map.

Key Spots: Devotees travelling to the ashram should visit Asana's of Sree Sree 108 Swamy Birajananda Bharati & Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami at the base of the holy Banyan tree. There is a Radha Krishna Temple inside the ashram building. During the Joydev Mahotsav, at night devotees can listen to Baul songs at the ashram ground . In the past famous Baul singers like Purnadas Baul , Sanatan Das Baul ,  Biswanath Das Baul , Parvathy Baul and many more have visited the ashram to pay their respect and performed at the open air function which happens at night.

Accommodation : There are quite a few hotels of different budgets available near the ashram. Baul Academy (high budget) is situated 1Km away from ashram and within low budget Joydev Padmabati Kutir is just 300 m from ashram. Other than these Hotel Rangamati and Shantobitan (WBTDCL) are some good hotels to stay in Bolpur .

Key Festivals Celebrated : Joydeb Mahotsav : It spans for four days in the month of January starting from makar Sankranti (last day of Bengali calendar month Poush) During the festival puja , homa and yajna are performed at the base of the Holy Banyan Tree ( Bednasha Botobrikhho). Clothes and blankets are distributed to the needy by the Sangha during the festival as a part of their charitable activity. Sadhuseva and Noronarayan seva is done for three days in a row by the members of the Sangha. One of the main attractions during the utsav is the bauls singing at night at the ashram compound.

Sree Sree Ma Radharani Devi’s  Diappearance Day :  Every Year on the 9th day of the Bengali calendar month Jaishtha ( May) the devotees and disciples gather at the Joydev ashram to pay homage to their Holy mother. On this day Mahasadhika ( great saint) Sree Sree Radharani Devi left her mortal body. Throughtout the day prayers are offered along with chanting, singing devotional songs and at noon Sadhuseva and Noronarayan seva (serving meals to Sadhus and others present)  are done.

Point of Contact  :  Shiba Prasad Konar (7908459354) ;