| Brahma Vidya Centre,
Jamshedpur |
 |
Swami
Bhoomananda Tirtha visited Jamshedpur for the first time in
1965, as a young sannyasin of 33 years. A few devotees
residing in Jamshedpur invited him and this visit created a
unique bond with the Steel City. It is significant to note
that Swamiji has been visiting Jamshedpur every year since
1965 without a break. His presence inspired his disciples and
serious seekers to form the Brahma Vidya Centre, Jamshedpur (BVC,
JSR), a registered society. It functions under the guidance of
Poojya Swamiji and maintains a close link with Narayanashrama
Tapovanam, Swamiji’s abode in Kerala.
Jamshedpur
is one of the first places where Swamiji began his public
discourses. Realizing the value of Swamiji’s message,
corporate houses, management associations, educational
institutions and others have been inviting Swamiji to speak to
their members. All such events are organized well ahead of
Swamiji’s visit, which is usually in February every year.
Annual
activities of BVC:
BVC
organizes the visit and stay of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha along
with Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha and Ma Gurupriya, who
accompany Swamiji on his visits.
Programmes
during Swamiji’s visit:
-
Annual
Jnaana Yajna – a series of 5-day discourse on themes
based on the Bhagavad Gita. Each day’s talk is of 75mins
duration. The talks are held in the hall of Madrasi
Sammelani, Bistupur, at the centre of the city.
-
Vishnu
Sahasranaama Yajna: It is a grand annual event. Its
popularity lies in the fact that anyone, irrespective of
caste or religion, can participate in it. Swamiji conducts
the yajna and Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha and Ma
Gurupriya assist him. It is generally held at the premises
of Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Sonari. More than a thousand
devotees participate in this sublime event. The
yajna-sthal (place of yajna) is decorated with flowers and
the flames glowing from the long rows of lamps surrounded
with heaps of petals offered by devotees, is an
unforgettable scene. At the conclusion of the yajna, all
participants partake of the maha-prasada blessed by Poojya
Swamiji.
-
Swamiji
conducts informal satsangs at his place of
residence. Large numbers of spiritual seekers take
advantage of these sessions to hear Swamiji, clear doubts
and be blessed by his presence.
-
Swami
Nirviseshananda Tirtha and Ma Gurupriya conduct 5-day
series of Upanishad classes. Different aspects of
saadhana – physical and mental disciplines on the
spiritual path – are discussed. Seekers find these
sessions very helpful.
-
Swamiji
is invited by different organizations in the city for
discourses. They are very popular and at the end of the
session, Swamiji usually answers questions from interested
listeners.
BVC,
JSR also conducts programmes during Swamiji’s birthday (13th
May) and Gurupoornima (July) every year. On Swamiji’s
birthday, the annual Daana Satra is held. About 250 very poor
families are invited and with deep humility and love, packets
of rice, cloth and sweet are distributed. BVC, JSR also gives
monetary and material contribution to some organizations every
year.
All
activities of BVC, JSR are conducted with the support from
generous and philanthropic citizens of Jamshedpur. All
donations are exempt u/s 80G of the Income Tax act.
Centre
For Inner Resources Development (CIRD, JSR): With the growing
interest of the people of Jamshedpur in Swamiji’s mission,
BVC, Jsr feels that a permanent centre in the city is
essential. This will facilitate the propagation of Swamiji’s
mission and help in expanding BVC’s activities. With
encouragement and guidance from Swamiji, the members of BVC,
JSR are trying to acquire a plot of land suitable for the
purpose. It is hoped that their dream of CIRD, JSR, a centre
for Swamiji’s mission will soon become a reality.
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