Encouraged by his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswarji, Paramahansa Yoganandaji began to systematize the spiritual training of young disciples, while also providing them with a basic education. With the enthusiastic patronage of the Maharaja of Kashimbazar, Sir Manindra Chandra Nundy, a formal organizational beginning was made on March 22, 1917, with the founding of Yogoda Satsanga Brahmacharya Vidyalaya with just seven boys at Dihika, West Bengal.
A year later, inspired by the success of the school, which had quickly grown too large for the Dihika site, the Maharaja graciously provided his summer palace and its 25-acre grounds in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where the school was relocated to in 1918.
In 1935, when Paramahansaji came to India for a year-long visit, he purchased this property from the Maharaja’s son, Sri Shirish Chandra Nundy. The funding for the purchase came from his disciples in America, his father, Sri Bhagabati Charan Ghosh, and the saved funds from his lectures in America and Europe. Rajarsi Janakananda, the beloved exalted disciple of Paramahansaji and second president of YSS/SRF made a generous donation.
On the pillar of the Main Building in the Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Math, Ranchi are engraved the names of all those who helped establish the Ranchi School on a firm footing. Although Yoganandaji seldom spoke about his father’s contribution, his help was crucial in the founding of the organization.
A significant renovation of the building was carried out in 1967 by Swami Shyamananda Giri. In the latter part of 1979, a concrete roof was built and necessary repairs were carried out to restore and safeguard the building for posterity. The original architectural design of the building with its sloping roof was retained, as well as the ancient wooden beams which can still be seen.
Inception and Growth of the School in the Early Years
In the early years, this building housed the residential boys’ school with a capacity of a hundred students. Paramahansa Yogananda formulated the academic programme of the school, which was designed to contribute to the all-round development of the body, mind, and soul of the students. It included agriculture, industrial, commercial, and academic subjects. Following the time-honoured educational ideals of the rishis, Paramahansaji arranged for most classes to be conducted outdoors.
The unique feature at Ranchi was the disciples’ initiation into Kriya Yoga. Regular practices of spiritual exercises, recitation of Gita slokas, and the teachings of the virtues of simplicity, self-sacrifice, honour, and truth were an integral part of the daily schedule.
In addition to his administrative and teaching responsibilities, Paramahansaji played a parental role in the students’ lives. Sri S. K. D. Banerjee, a student of Yogoda Satsanga Brahmacharya Vidyalaya, recalled nostalgically after sixty years: “Paramahansaji was a father to us, and we were his devoted sons. Merely living in his company was spiritual education. Paramahansaji inspired us towards the goal of divine perfection.”
While leaving for the West in 1920, Paramahansaji handed over the responsibilities of the children to the other teachers in the school.
By 1968, there were about 1,400 boys and 400 girls enrolled in the YSS High Schools and about 800 students in its two colleges. Due to its rapid expansion, it was necessary to shift the educational institutions outside the ashram grounds. In 1981, the boys’ school and college were shifted to a new location – Jagannathpur – around 11 km from the ashram. The main building was then used as office space to meet the growing needs of the spiritual organization.
The main building consists of several small rooms and halls — a Reception and Bookroom, Matri Mandir, Paramahansa Yoganandai’s room, and the Centenary photo display hall.
Reception Hall and Bookroom
The outside verandah leads into a large hall that serves as a Reception Office for the devotees and other visitors to the ashram. All the YSS publications are on display and a book sales counter is also located here.
Matri Mandir
Matri Mandir is the large carpeted hall to the left of the verandah. The hall received its hallowed name after the third President and Sanghamata of YSS/SRF, Sri Sri Daya Mata. On one occasion, Sri Daya Mataji went into ‘samadhi’ during a satsanga sitting on one of the divans. Her pictures and the two divans placed in this hall are not only a tribute to Ma, but a reminder to all the Yogodans of the spiritual heights they can attain by regular and sincere practice of Guru-given sadhana. The hall is now being used for meditation, counselling, and conducting classes.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s Room
The room where the great Guru stayed during his years at Ranchi (1918 to 1920) has been preserved as a shrine. It is kept open to all for private meditation during certain hours each day. Devotees feel great upliftment when they meditate here. In addition to the wooden cot that was used by Yoganandaji, the room also has on display the hand and foot impressions of the Guru—brought from the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles, USA.
Names of loved ones needing prayers can be placed inside a prayer box kept on the cot. As a part of the World Wide Prayer Circle started by Guruji during his time, YSS sannyasis and devotees from all over the world pray every day for all those who ask for prayers.
In addition, some of the Guru’s personal belongings are on display outside this room.
Display of Yoganandaji’s Personal Items
Some of Yoganandaji’s personal belongings, including a rose flower that had been placed on his body after his Mahasamadhi, are on display outside this room. Other relics include an umbrella, a monastic robe and socks used by him, and a piece of “luchi” that he ate.
Photo Gallery
A photo gallery is situated in front of the reception hall. A pictorial history depicting the hundred years’ journey of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India from 1917 to 2016 is on display.
