14th Apr, 2024

Like previous years the occasion of Bengali New Year, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Purulia Ashram on 14th April 2024. The entire event was meticulously managed by the Purulia branch of Manohar Sevashram Sangha. The arrangements and execution of this event were so beautifully planned that all the disciples and devotees who attended the event were overwhelmed and impressed. On the day of the celebration, everything from rituals, ceremonies, prayers, distribution of prasad was carried out with precision. The devotees and disciples came from far away places to pay respect to their Guru Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, Param Guru Sree Sree  Sadananda Dasi Swami , Guruma Sree Sree Gouri Devi and ashram janani Sree Sree Ma Radharani Devi  on this auspicious day. Ideally during the month of April the weather gets very hot as the temperature starts rising but this year on the festive day it was not so uncomfortable . However the organizers made arrangements of fan and water for the comfort of all the attendees. The Purulia branch of Manohar Sevashram Sangha did a commendable job and made the entire event a truly joyous occasion for everyone involved. 

21st Jul, 2024

Under the divine blessings of Sree Sree Thakur, Sree Sree Budhababa, and Sree Sree Ma, and driven by the earnest efforts of the disciples and devotees, this year’s Gurupurnima was celebrated with profound enthusiasm in Kolkata at 67E Beadon Street.

The auspicious day began with offering of morning tea to Gurudev Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, with deep respect and devotion. Following this, the preparation and presentation of Balyabhog, a lovingly crafted assortment of delicacies, marked the next spiritual offering to the Divine Guru.

Despite the backdrop of a political rally in the city, the Gurupurnima celebration drew an impressive assembly of disciples and devotees, whose turnout remained as remarkable as in previous years. Devotees traveled from across the country to pay homage to their esteemed Guru, Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati.

Throughout the day, there was a heartfelt sharing of personal experiences and the miracles the devotees witnessed, all attributed to the divine intervention of Sree Sree Thakur. It became evident through these shared stories that Sree Sree Thakur, although no longer in physical form, continues to guide and bless his followers with the same benevolence He displayed during his earthly presence. Senior disciples reminisced about their cherished moments with their Guru, while junior disciples and devotees participated in devotional songs and a variety of other activities.

Arati was performed before all the deities, both during the day and in the evening, filling the atmosphere with a profound divine presence. This sacred ritual enhanced the spiritual ambiance, immersing all present in a sense of holy reverence.

At noon, a sumptuous bhog was prepared and offered to all the deities, following which prasad was distributed among everyone in attendance. 

Arrangements for lunch were thoughtfully made to ensure that all attendees were nourished, while a stall near the entrance offered passersby a taste of Divine grace through khichuri bhog, curry and sweets. Additional stalls presented Sangha’s publications, lockets, pictures, and incense, allowing devotees to take home a piece of their spiritual journey.

The digital team of the Sangha meticulously documented the day’s events, capturing moments and conversations with committee members and senior disciples. Those recordings were later shared on the Sangha's YouTube channel, extending the spiritual experience to a broader audience.

As evening descended, a spiritually enriching lecture was delivered by Swami Sevaparananda Maharaj, Secretary of Vivek Bharati Seva Trust. His address, characterized by simplicity and clarity, provided profound insights into key spiritual concepts and guidance on nurturing values essential for realizing the potential of human existence.

While the grand celebration at Beadon Street was the focal point, the spirit of Gurupurnima was equally vibrant at Ranigunge, where local disciples and devotees observed the day with equal reverence and devotion. In summary, the day was a radiant amalgamation of spiritual energy, joy, and fervor, uniting all present in a shared veneration for their beloved Guru.

14th Jan - 17th Jan, 2025

As in every year, this year too Joydev Mahotsav, one of the flagship festivals organized by the Manohar Sevashram Sangha, was celebrated with immense enthusiasm. The festival spanned three days, beginning on Makar Sankranti (the last day of the Bengali calendar month of Poush) at Joydev Kenduli in Bedonasha Botobrikhho Ashram. 

The origins of this festival trace back over 80 years, to when the revered Vaishnav saint Sree Sree Sadananda Dasi Swami, affectionately known as Sree Sree Budhababa, picked up a dead branch from the Ajay River, planted it, and in a symbolic act, urinated on it, declaring that He was bestowing life upon it. He foretold that it would eventually grow into a great banyan tree, under which the Sadhu Vaishnav seva would flourish. Over time His prophecy was fulfilled and following His instructions, His disciple, the esteemed Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati—a great Vaishnav saint and Baulsadhak, and the founder of the Manohar Sevashram Sangha—initiated the celebration of this festival. Today, the legacy continues through His devoted disciples.

During the festival, the Kolkata branch of Manohar Sevashram Sangha organized a free clothes distribution drive, providing saris, dhotis, and blankets to those in need. Devotees from around the world generously contributed to this noble cause with special support from Mr. Prasad Kapuri (Ranigunge), who donated 120 blankets, Mr. Jairam Mondal, who provided 100 sarees, 47 dhotis, and 100 blankets, and Mr. Bijon Chowdhury, who gave 35 dhotis and sarees. The event was smoothly managed by the organizing team who efficiently handled the long queue ensuring no one goes back empty handed. The event began with speeches from Sree Sebananda Bramhachari (Guest of Honour) and Sree Roop Kumar Das Thakur (Current President of Manohar Sevashram Sangha), who highlighted the significance of such charitable deeds and expressed gratitude to all the donors. Approximately 300 sarees, 175 dhotis and 220 blankets were distributed.   

The Bhagalpur branch of the Sangha also set up a homeopathy clinic, offering free consultations and medicines to many patients. Additionally, a counter outside the ashram offered various devotional items for sale, including various publications of Sangha, pictures of Sree Sree Thakur , Sree Sree Budhababa , Sree Sree Ma, Sree Sree Gouri Ma and lockets of Sree Sree Thakur.

During the three days, a dedicated team of volunteers tirelessly provided Sadhu, Vaishnav, and Naranarayan seva without interruption. The atmosphere during the Sadhu seva was truly captivating, filled with the sounds of devotional songs sung in the background. The Sadhus, with deep reverence, offered prayers to Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Buri Ma, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma, all in unison as the service began. At the conclusion of the Sadhu seva, devotees offered Bhojon Dakshina to the Sadhus as a token of respect. The entire volunteer team performed admirably, ensuring the smooth and seamless execution of the seva over the three days.

As the evening temperatures dropped, sending a chill through the air, the cold did little to discourage the large number of devotees who eagerly flocked to the adjacent ashram compound to enjoy the Baul songs, one of the main highlights of the Joydev Mahotsav. Throughout all three nights, several Bauls mesmerized the audience with their soulful performances, creating a truly memorable experience. Meanwhile, some devotees busied themselves with chopping vegetables and preparing for the meals to be cooked the following day, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

The festival culminated on the third day with the MahaVishnu Homa (Yajna), a major ritual conducted for the welfare of all. Large number of devotees from near and far participated, offering prayers for themselves and their loved ones. 

Throughout the festival, there was a steady stream of disciples and devotees who travelled from distant places to pay their respects to Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati (Sree Sree Thakur), Param Gurudev Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma, while also engaging in voluntary service. Each day of the festival, Bhog was offered to Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Thakur, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma, and the prasadam was later distributed among the devotees present, allowing all to partake in the blessings.

Sri Roop Kumar Das Thakur, the grandson of Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati and the current president of the Manohar Sevashram Sangha, played a pivotal role in overseeing and guiding the entire festival. With the support of senior members of the Sangha, he ensured everything ran smoothly. A temporary office was established within the ashram for the three-day event, where a dedicated team of members focused on managing the financial affairs and handling various administrative tasks.

The festival concluded on the fourth day with the Dhulot ceremony. Devotional songs filled the morning, and prasadam was distributed to all attendees later in the day, bringing the celebrations to a heartfelt close.

The true essence of Joydev Mahotsav lies in its unique blend of spirituality and voluntary service, where people from all walks of life and socio economic background come together in unity to serve and honor their shared devotion towards Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati, Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Buri Ma, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma. The festival serves as a reminder of the power of selfless service and devotion, a value imparted by Sree Sree Thakur and Sree Sree Budhababa, who embodied these principles throughout their lives, leaving participants with a deep sense of fulfilment and a desire to return next year.

A heartfelt thanks to all devotees, disciples, and volunteers who made this year’s Mahotsav a grand success. May the blessings of Sree Sree Thakur, Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Buri Ma, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma be upon everyone.

24th Nov, 2024

The Gaurimata Free Clinic, established by the revered Sree Sree Thakur (Sree Sree 108 Swami Birajananda Bharati) and SreeMa (Sree Sree Radha Rani Ma) on 14th April 1957, has long been a symbol of compassionate service. In 2011, the clinic was revived after overcoming numerous challenges and continues to serve as a vital lifeline for the remote village of Sonathli and its surrounding areas. Sonathli, along with about 8-10 neighboring villages, lacks adequate medical facilities, making the Gaurimata Free Clinic an essential resource.

This year, as in previous years, with the blessings of Sree Sree Thakur, Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma, Manohar Sevashram Sangha organized a free medical camp at the clinic. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., attracted a long queue of patients eager to receive medical attention. The Sangha arranged for doctors from various specialties, including pediatrics (Dr. Chittaranjan Basu and Dr. Sattwik Basu), homeopathy (Dr. Partha Mondal), gynecology (Dr. Swapan Mondal), gastroenterology (Dr. Sanjay Sarkar), and general consultation (Dr. Debmalya Banerjee and Dr. Nirmalya Banerjee) to cater to the diverse needs of the patients.

A total of 621 patients from Sonathli and nearby villages attended the camp. In addition to medical consultations, arrangements were made for blood tests and blood pressure monitoring. Free medicines were provided based on the doctors' prescriptions. Each patient also received a food pack and drinking water, while children were given toffees and small gifts.

The camp was a tremendous success, thanks to the collective efforts of disciples, devotees, and volunteers, including pharmacists who offered their services. The villagers expressed great appreciation for the camp and requested more frequent events like this, despite regular doctor visits to the clinic.

The Sangha is deeply grateful to all the donors and well-wishers who financially supported the event. With the blessings of Sree Sree Thakur, Sree Sree Budhababa, Sree Sree Ma, and Sree Sree Gouri Ma, the Sangha hopes to continue organizing this event each year, with the goal of making it even bigger and more impactful.