Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra, Hyderabad organised the Janmotsav and Centenary celebrations from January 5-8, 2017 at a function hall in the heart of the city. The programme on January 5, 2017 which was also Gurudeva Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s birth anniversary was attended by around 850 devotees.
The opening satsanga was conducted by Swami Smarananandaji with an inspiring talk on devotion and how to cultivate it. On the same evening, a public talk was organised to formally inaugurate the Centenary celebrations of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, with Swami Raghunayakananda who graced the occasion on behalf of Swami Jnanadananda, Head of Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad. The talk by Swami Smarananandaji focused on the significance of the centenary celebrations, and the yoga ideals as propounded by our Gurudeva. Swami Raghunayakananda reiterated the points made by Swami Smaranananda, explaining why it is important to focus on meditation, right activity and behaviour for success in our spiritual life
The following days included techniques review, bhajans, meditation, the practice of energization exercises and a video show on Guruji’s “Return to India in 1935-36.”
On 7th evening a public function was organised with a special invitee, Dr Nagendra, who is a Padmashree Awardee for his contribution towards Yoga. He gave a talk on “Meditation for the Well-being of Body, Mind and Soul.” His speech was interspersed with slokas from the Gita and his immense knowledge of Yoga was evident. Using interesting allegories, Dr Nagendra explained the futility of man’s life without the strong foothold of Yoga meditation. His talk was preceded by a talk given by Swami Smaranananda, based on the wisdom of Bhagwad Gita on the importance of being a Yogi. In essence both the talks not only expressed the necessity of Yoga but also the urgency of it.
The Janmotsav programme concluded on 8th, with the Kriya Diksha Ceremony on the auspicious day of Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Around 66 devotees were initiated into Kriya Yoga. The closing satsanga was delivered by Swami Madhavananda.
Swami Smaranananda gave a public talk on the evening of 8th January at IIIT, Gacchibowli, Hyderabad on “Meditation: Antidote for Stress, Anxiety and Fear”. This talk was attended by around 300 people comprising of IIIT, Hyderabad students and faculties, employees of high-tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Infosys, MAQ and Zenoit etc. Swamiji explained how Yoga can be used to manage and overcome anxiety and stress through the scientific method of meditation. Swamiji explained the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of meditation in a way that was both practical and applicable in the modern times. He also elaborated on the theory of Energization exercises as devised by our Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda.
The talk was received with immense interest in Paramahansaji’s and around 150 young seekers got enrolled immediately for Yogoda Satsanga Lessons.
The service activities during Janmotsav included distribution of medical equipment which includes mobile ventilator to Gandhi Hospital and 25 wheel chairs to Osmania General Hospital on January 2, 2017. On December 31st, there was a food distribution programme for around 350 people at the local Rama Temple in Tandur and 200 blankets were distributed among the poor.
The response for the programme was overwhelming as over 50 new lessons membership applications were received.
