Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama launched a new service activity named ‘Dravya Yajna’ on 28th Dec, 08. Under this scheme we provide raw food materials to the extremely poor families & destitutes.

The food items consisting of 5 kg rice, 5 kg wheat flour, 1 kg edible oil & 1 kg toor dal will be given on monthly basis. The beneficiaries are asked to come & collect the monthly ration on a specified date. They are also provided with a photo identity card & a cloth bag to collect the food items which they have to carry when they will come again to collect the next months ration. Those who have to travel long distance or are not physically fit to come & collect, for them we will be providing food items at their place.

The first relief for the month of January were given to the identified families & individuals on 28th of December, 08.

Right now we have identified 75 families & individuals from Belgaum & nearby village areas. The total cost of providing food relief to one family comes to Rs. 400 per month. That makes the total expenditure in providing relief to 75 families to Rs. 30,000/- per month.We wish to extend this help to more numbers of family in due course of time as & when we get funds for the same.

 Any contribution however small for this noble service will be thankfully acknowledged.

Note: Cheques / DDs can be drawn in favour of ‘Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum’.

‘Donations are exempt from Income Tax u/s 80G’

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The pictures of Holy Mother in prayer hall & in Shri Sarada Mantapa were tastefully decorated with garlands & flower vases. so were the pictures of Sri Ramakrishna & Swamiji.

In the morning programme there were recitation of Shri Lalita Sahasranama, Vedic chanting, Special Homa, Bhajans, discourse on life of Holy Mother & Mahamangalaarati. After these cooked prasada was served to about 700 devotees who participated in the programme. In the evening there was recitation of ‘Devi Stuti’ and Bengali & Kannada bhajans were sung in praise of the Holy Mother.

Holy Mother’s Jayanti celebration (18th Dec, 08)

Also, like previous years, this year on Sunday 21st of December Sarees were distributed to 200  poor women as a part of the 156th Jayanti celebrations of the Holy Mother. All the recipients were also given books on life & teachings of the Holy Trio & a food packet consisting of a Bun, Banana & a sweet. Many dignitaries participated & distributed the sarees to the recipients.

21st Dec, Saree distribution to poor women.

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The chief guest for the programme was Sri Vishwanath Angadi (Principal district Judge, Belgaum) . Some of the other dignitaries invited were Dr. M R Chandrashekhar (Director, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences), Dr. Ashok Murgod (District Surgeon, Belgaum), Sri Ganapathi Mathur (CEO, Cantonment Board, Belgaum) & Sri Abdul Salam Saudagar (A local businessman & a long standing patron of the Ashrama).

The distribution programme was conducted in the main prayer hall of the Universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna. Amidst the Vedic chanting the chief guest for the programme Sri Vishwanath Angadi , the other invited dignitaries & Swami Raghaveshanandaji distributed the  blankets to the poor who had been selected beforehand & were provided with a coupon for the identification. They were also given food packet consisting of a Bun, Banana & Sweet). Books on the life of Holy Trio in very simple language were also given to all the recipients.

*As a part of the Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi’s 156th Jayanti celebration we’ll be distributing sarees to 200 poor women at 4.00 pm on Sunday, 21st December 2008 in the Ashrama.

‘Donations in cash or kind for the celebrations & the Service activities will be thankfully acknowledged.’

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‘DRAVYA YAJNA’ (Distribution of raw food materials to the extremely poor people)

Dear Friend,

A few weeks back there was a news article in BBC stating that about twelve Indian states have alarming levels of hunger. The rise in the global food prices has reduced the food buying capacity of many poor families, making their situation worse. In the past year food prices have increased significantly, but people’s incomes haven’t kept pace, forcing many families further into hunger, experts say.

We have therefore planned to start another service activity, “the distribution of food grains & other raw food materials” to extremely poor families.

Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi was very much concerned for the poor & suffering people. In order to help at least some of the poor people we have planned to start this ‘Dravya Yajna’. Under this service scheme, rice, dal (lentils), oil, etc will be distributed every month to 75 poor families.

It costs a minimum of Rs. 4000/- per year to support one family. We intent to extend this service to more people as & when we get more funds from the devotees & admirers.

This project will be implemented from January 2009. The first distribution will be held on Sunday, 28th December 2008, at 4.00 pm in the Ashrama.

We invite you to extend your support to join in this seva.

You may also share this appeal with your friends & acquaintances who would wish to contribute their mite for this noble cause.

Yours in the Service of Lord,
Swami Raghaveshananda
(Secretary)

Note: Cheques / DDs can be drawn in favour of ‘Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum’.

‘Donations are exempt from Income Tax u/s 80G’

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  Dear Friend,

The 156th Jayanti celebration of Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi will be held at the Ashrama on Thursday, December 18^th, 2008.

We cordially invite you and your friends to attend the celebration.

Yours in the Lord,

Swami Raghaveshananda 

(Secretary)

Morning

6:15 am-7:15 am :  Usha Kirtana (Omkara, Vedic Chanting, Guru Stuti, Bhajans, Meditation)

   8:00 am :  Special Puja

   9:30 am :  Sri Lalita Sahasranama Parayana

10:00 am :  Homa and Veda Ghosha

11:00 am : Bhajans

11:45 am : Pravachana

12:15 pm : Pushpanjali & Namasankeertana

12:45 pm : Mahamangalarati & Prasada

Evening

6:00 pm : Sri Devi Stuti

6:30 pm :  Special Arati and Stotras

7:00 pm-7:45 pm : Bhajans and Namavali

Note:

* Christmas eve will be celebrated on Wednesday, 24^th December, 2008 from 7:00 pm.

* Kalpataru Day will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2009. There will be a special satsanga from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

* Like the previous years, woollen blankets will be distributed to 200 poor people. This programme will be held in the Ashrama at     4.00 pm on Sunday, 30th November 2008.

* In connection with the Jayanthi of Holy Mother Sri Sharadadevi, sarees will be distributed to 200 poor women at 4.00 pm on Sunday, 21st December 2008 in the Ashrama,

‘Donations in cash or kind for the celebrations will be thankfully acknowledged.’

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Our hearty greetings to you all on the auspicious occassion of Sri Sri kali Puja & Deepavali.

As per the tradition, the Divine Mother is worshipped in her terrible form of ‘Kali’ on the night of Kartik Amavasya.

On Tuesday, 28th October Sri Sri Kali Puja was performed in picture in the Ashrama. A special arati was performed & bhajans in praise of the ‘The Divine Mother’ were sung with great enthusiasm. About 100 devotees participated in the evening worship.

‘Deepalankaras’ (decoartion with lamps) were done with the oil lamps. Apart from the prayer hall there was also special decoration done at Sri Sharada Mantapa (Dining Hall). All the devotees assembled for the evening prayers were invited to see the special decoration done in front of the picture of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi at Sri Sarada Mantapa & to pay their obeisance to Her.

All the devotees were served with sweeets offered to Mother Kali.

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Our hearty Vijaya greetings to you all!

The Navrathri festival was celebrated in the Ashrama from 31^st September to 9^th of October.

In the evenings during these nine days there were the chanting of Devi stuti followed by the Arati of Sri Ramakrishna and devotional songs sung in praise of the Divine Mother.

On the Saptami day, according to the local custom, Mother Saraswathi was worshipped in picture.

From Ashtami day to Vijayadashami Mother Durga was worshipped in picture at the Temple with special Puja, Havan, Vedic Chanting and bhajans. More than four hundred devotees participated and partook cooked food Prasada on this day.

On the Navami day Ayudh Puja was performed in the Ashrama, in which as per the tradition, the work places, instruments & machineries were worshipped.

In the morning of the Vijayadashami a small, informal worship was conducted on the new land acquired by the Ashrama & construction of the Sabhangana.was started on this auspicious day

In evening after the vesper services symbolic ‘Visarjana’ was done, amidst vedic chants, sounds of gongs & conch shells, by shaking of the picture of Sri Sri Durga.

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Around 50 people from Bangalore & Hyderabad participated.

Some of the photographs & the remarks from the devotees are given below:

Some remarks from the devotees:

1. Truly a great experience. The body & mind in longing for more . Melodious bhajans, short discourses & your your own way of narration of stories , is rejuvenating.- Smt. & Sri Annajee Rao, Hyderabad

2. I cannot forget this, it is really a great experience. I don’t know how to express my gratitude. Everything is very nice & well organised. - Smt. Girija, Hyderabad

3. This experience cannot be explained in words,it’s a unique experience & wonderful experience, it was thrilling to sit in front of Sri Sri Thakurji, Sri Sri Maa & Swamiji & do Japam. At home it is just impossible for us to devote such a long time for Japam. I’ll try to do more Japam at home. - Smt. Madhu Asthana, Mumbai.

4. It has been a fascinating discovery that we were practically cajoled into experiencing the joy of doing Japa. It is going to be the beginning of a joyous journey as far as I am concerned.- Smt. Uma Rajagopal, Bangalore.

5. It is not a theoretical Japa Yajna. All the time it was taken care that we were doing our Japam. Even the volunteers were not permitting us to move here & there unneccesarily. It is a practical japa yajna. Routine for these days is excellent. - Sarala, Hyderabad.

6. This japa Yajna has been a great help for me. It made us forget the outside world for these days & be always in “Sri Ramakrishna’s” thoughts. - Gayathri S, Bangalore

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A Report 

When the veteran politicians, young legislatures, entrepreneurs & men of social standing, share the same stage for a noble cause & speak earnestly, to a gathering of school & college students, their parents & teachers, about their experiences in life & how their lives have been inspired by the life & teachings of one man - Swami Vivekananda- then one may very well imagine what effect it must have made on the minds of the audience.

This is what happened on the morning of 27^th Sep, 08 at the very place sanctified by the stay of great Swami Vivekananda at Belgaum.

Saturday, 27^th September 2008 will be remembered, in coming times, as a day on which a new foundation was laid towards the strengthening of spiritual, cultural & moral values of our society in the region of North Karnataka. It was not an event for public propaganda. Rather it was, as Swami Vivekananda says “Slow and silent, as the gentle dew that falls in the morning, unseen and unheard yet producing a most tremendous result…”. This programme had the hallmark of the spirit in which the Ashrama is carrying on its activities.

The Chief Guest for the occasion, Sri C.M Udasi, the Hon. Minister for Public Works, Port & Inland Water Transport, Govt. Of Karnataka laid the foundation stone for the new Sabhangana to be constructed in the Ashrama premises. The sabhangana will serve as a multipurpose hall for conducting various activities of the Ashrama throughout the year. It will be used as a hall for special lecture programmes, satsangas, conducting Vivekananda Balaka Sangha & Yuvaka Sangha, competitions, students & youth conventions, welfare service activities, annual celebrations, etc.

In his touching & very thoughtful speech, Sri Udasi expressed his happiness & joy for being invited as the chief guest for this auspicious occasion. He appreciated the spirit of service towards the society with which the Ashrama is conducting all its activities & also the effort Ashrama is making in spreading, to the youths of this region, “the Character building & Man making ideas & ideals of Swami Vivekananda”, which is the pressing need of the present times.

The minister expressed his joy for the service activity of helping the poor students to continue their education by way of scholarship.

He also said that it is highly commendable & praiseworthy that the Ashrama is carrying on its multifarious activities for past several years in a quiet way. On behalf of the government he promised to extend all possible help for the Ashrama.

The other guests of Honour were Sri Shivakumar Udasi, Sri Ram Reddy, Sri Lakshman Reddy, Dr. A Rama Reddy. As special invitees were present Sri Abhay B Patil (MLA, Belgaum South), Sri Sanjay B Patil (MLA, Belgaum Rural), Sri Feroz N Saith (MLA, Belgaum North) & Sri Nanjundaiah. They expressed their heartfelt appreciation of the services being rendered to the Society through this Ashrama & wished these to continue to grow in the future also. All the speakers appealed to the gathering, in right earnestness, to imbibe the teachings of Swami Vivekananda for personal development in particular & development of the society in general.

The scholarships to the poor & meritorious students were distributed by the honorable minister & other dignitaries.

Free book coupons worth Rs 5000/- were also gifted to all the recipients to buy Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature of their choice.

Sri Feroze Saith, (MLA, Belgaum North), under whose constituency the Ashrama is located, was much impressed by the Scholarship programme & promised to donate Rs. 50,000/- from his personal account to the Ashrama for this purpose. Similarly the other two legislatures from Belgaum, Sri Sanjay Patil & Sri Abhay Patil also assured to extend all possible help, monetary or otherwise, to the Ashrama.

In all, scholarships worth Rs. 5 lakhs & sponsorships worth Rs 2 lakhs have been distributed to 218 college students & 170 school students respectively, from all over Karnataka.

More than 500 people attended the function. All were served with cooked prasada after the programme.

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama is the only Branch centre of the world wide Ramakrishna Math & Mission in the region of North Karnataka. This Ashrama since its inception in the year 2000, at the very place where Swami Vivekananda, as an itinerant monk, had stayed for 9 days (Oct 13-21, 1892) during his Bharat Parikrama, has been serving the society in various ways through its multifarious spiritual, religious & cultural activities.

Slowly & steadily the Ashrama has been expanding its services, which are being extended to the people of North Karnataka & there was a pressing need for proper infrastructure to conduct these activities. As such this new project comes as a welcome addition to the Ashrama & will go a long way in helping Ashrama serve the society.

It is estimated to cost Rs. 1.15 crores to construct this auditorium.We appeal to individuals & institutions to come forward to help generously in order to complete this project.

The donations may be sent by Cheque or D.D. favouring “Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama” to the following address:

“RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA

FORT, BELGAUM 590 016

KARNATAKA, INDIA

PH: 0831-2430789”

All donations are exempted from IT u/s 80G.

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Some of the remarks  from the devotees:

1. The word ‘constantly’ & ‘incessantly’ are used often in connection with spiritual life. We have heard & known only the word-meaninig. But through this Yajna we have been given an opportunity to practice ‘constantly’.

About the ‘Dhuni’ - we had read & thought of it & had our own ideas of this programme. But we can’t forget those thrilling moments during dhuni meditation. As Sri Ramakrishna says "Just by saying ‘intoxication’ nothing happens, only those alone who experience that intoxication can understand it truly". - Devotees from Ramakrishna Vivekananda Kendra, Yelahanka, Bangalore

2. I started doing Japa mechanically to begin with, I was filled with doubts whether I would be able to complete 1 lakh Japa within 5 days. But as I proceeded I began to feel that we have great strength, like Lord Hanuman, & we did not knew of it because nobody told us about it. I thank Swamiji for having shown us that capacity in us. I began to have taste for God’s name.

More such Japa Yajna camps should go on. We sincerely pray at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna that like Belur Math this Ashrama also become a great spiritual centre & more & more devotees be benefited thus.- Smt. S Geeta, Bangalore

3. I feel sad that on 5th day this camp is coming to an end. Through the grace of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother & Swamiji may we come back again to participate.

Though we have opportunities to practice at home, it does not happen like the Japa sadhana done here in the Ashrama.- Smt Cheluvamba, Bangalore

4. I have participated in many satsangas & devotees convention , but have not had such experience anywhere. Here we are immersed in the bliss of Sri Ramakrishna. The waverings of mind is reduced. - R N Sarojamma, Bangalore

5. For those who desire the bliss of God, this Japa Yajna camp was a very good chance. The arrangements made to take care of the participants of the camp were extremely good. - Smt. K Srilakshmi Venkatesh

6. This Japa Yajna is an excellent and wonderful program. This program is an effort to draw our attention to our attention to our Ishta Devata by performing 1 lakh japa. This camp is a guidance to the initiated devotees to perform sadhana & to progress towards our goal. - Smt Rajkamala Prakash

Upcoming Japa Yajna camps

Japa Yajna 6

September      17^th – 21^st Devotees from Bangalore.

Japa Yajna 7

November       12^th – 16^th Devotees from Chennai

Japa Yajna 8

December        3^rd-7^th Devotees from Ahmednagar, Bangalore, etc.

Japa Yajna 9

January, 09      7^th – 11^th Devotees who have already participated.

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The daily programme was as follows

September 3^rd to 5^th – Sri Ganesha Utsava

10:30 am - Special Puja to Sri Ganesha

11:00 am to 12:00 pm - Vedic Chanting, Stotras and Bhajans

7:45 pm - Prasada

Immersion ceremony On  Friday 5^th September 2008, at 8:00 pm

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Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 4th camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 6th-10th of August, 08. In this 4th camp more than 70 devotees participated in which around 36 were from Hyderabad-Secunderabad & rest were from Bangalore, Chennai & Mumbai. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this 4th batch also there was chanting from the 12th chapter of ‘Srimad Bhagavat Gita’ before the noon & night prasada & also there was Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees as well as Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees completed One lakh Japa within 5 days.

‘Some remarks from the participants’

1. “After returning to my home I am going to enjoy the bliss in my solitude, wherever I live & wherever I go the nama Japa will always go on.”- K Saraswathi, Chennai

2. “I was able to do I lakh Japa in 5 days. It has given me confidence to perform more Japa & meditation in a day.”- N Radha Krishna, Hyderabad

3. “I have never done Japam so consistently & joyfully, which I did here. Japa Yajna is has been the most experienced and joyful sadhana ever done.”- Rajesh dave, Mumbai

4. “I think no one will ever say herafter that there is no time for doing Japam. Thank you very much for initiating us in right path.” Smt. Usha Ganesan, Chennai

5. “I have realised the importance of continuous Japa, which leads to a further step in the spiritual life.”- M Madhava Reddy, Hyderabad

6. “Japa Yajna was so helpful to me in understanding what Sri Ramakrishna means by “solitude” in the Gospel. I do not remember anytime in my life I have practiced Japa & meditation for so long”- Sri Nitin Muthane, Belgaum

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A team of 7 monastics & 3 volunteers from the Ashrama headed by Swami Raghaveshanandaji Maharaj visited different schools & colleges in rural areas in the districts of Belgaum, Bagalkote & Raichur. The following was the programmed schedule in brief.

Day 1- July 29^th, 08

1^st programme: was held at Shri Annadaneshwara Swatantra pre-university college, Munavalli, Tq. Savadatti, Dist. Belgaum. 240 students from PUC I & II years (Arts & commerce) participated. Free books on teachings of Swami Vivekananda & were distributed to the participants.

2^nd programme: was held at Dr. Govindrao Vamanarao Nayik Swatantra PU college, Munavalli, Tq. Savadatti, Dist. Belgaum. In this 230 students from PUC I & II year (arts & commerce) participated. All participants were also given a free book on teachings of Swami Vivekananda & a photo of Swami Vivekananda.

3^rd programme: was conducted at Shri Kumareshwara high School, Munavalli. More than 200 students attended this session.

4^th programme: at Govt. High School, Munavalli. 250 students participated & were benifitted.

5^th programme: was held in evening for the benefit of general public at Panchalingeshwara Kalyan Mantapa, Munavalli. More than 200 people attended the Bhajans & speeches.

Day-2. July 30^th, 08

Different sessions at Sports school, Chandargi for English & Kannada medium students from 6^th – Puc 1^st Yr students. In all 900 students attended these sessions.

In the evening a public programme ( Satsanga) was organised by Swami Vivekananda Seva Kendra, Lokapur, Tq. Mudhol, Dist: Bagalkote. 150 people attended the programme.

Day 3. July 31^st, 08

Programmes were held at 3 different schools & colleges in Jamkhandi Tq, Dist. Bagalkote. More than 2,000 students attended these programmes.

In the evening a public programme was organised at Ganpati Temple, in which 200 people participated.

Day 4, 5 & 6. Aug 1, 2 & 3

In all 5 sessions were held at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Lingasagur, dt. Raichur, for all the students of this residential school. Also a Q & A session was held for PUC students & a special programme was conducted for the staff & teachers of the School.

Apart from the Navodaya school, 4 programmes were conducted at different school & colleges in Lingasagur Tq. In which 800 students participated.

In the evening of 3rd Aug, a special satsanga was conducted at Shri Raghavendra Swami Matha for general public. Around 70 people participated in this programme.

In all more than 5,200 students were reached & an effort was made to inculcate in them higher values for self development & formation of strong character, so that they can grow into a useful member of the society.

Free books & cards were distributed & for students interested in reading more literature, facility of a mobile book stall was provided at all the places where the programmes were conducted. In all the response was overwhelming & the student community showed much enthusiasm & genuine interest in the books on & by Swami Vivkekananda. The ideals & ideas of Swami Vivekananda was received with much keenness by the students as was understandable by the demand of more such classes by the students community.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum is committed to take the life giving message of Swami Vivekananda by visiting as many schools & colleges as possible , specially in the rural areas.

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Some of the photographs of event can be seen below:

Around 250 poor students were given 2 note books & 1 pen each, along with candies. The articles were distributed by the dignitaries present  namely Sri Sudhakar Prabhu (Manager HDFC Bank, Belgaum), Sri Vikas Kalaghatgi (President, Bengal chamber of commerce), Sri S G Wke ( advocate & an ardent devotee), Smt. Shanta Hisholkar ( a devotee) & Swami Raghveshanandaji Maharaj.

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Morning:

        06:15 am : 07:15 am : Usha Kirtan (Omkara, Vedic Chanting, 
                                              Sri Guru Stuti, Bhajans & Meditation)
        09:30 am : 10.00 am : Vishnu Sahasranama (Parayana)
        10:00 am : 11:00 am : Homa
        11:00 am : 11:30 am : Bhajans
        11:30 am : 11:50 am : Sri Ramakrishna Ashtottaram
        11:50 am : 12:20 pm : Speech
        12:20 pm : 12:45 pm : Pushpanjali & Namavali
        12:45 pm : Arati & Prasada

Evening

        06:30 pm - 07:45 pm : Special Arati & Bhajans

In all more than 650 people participated in the morning programme & about 150 had assembled for the evening prayers & bhajans. All the assembled devotees were served with prasada. The programmes went on very smoothly. More than 50 volunteers gave their services along with the inmates of the Ashrama in conducting the overall programme.

Some of the pictures of the event can be seen above.

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Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 3rd camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 25th-29th of June, 08. In this 3rd camp more than 60 devotees participated in which around 45 were from Mumbai, Thane & Bangalore & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this third batch special event was chanting from the 12th chapter of ‘Srimad Bhagavat Gita’ before the noon & night prasada & also  there was Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees from Mumbai & Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees were very glad for having got an opportunity to participate in this unique Yajna.

‘Some remarks from the participants’ 

1. " Japa Yajna has given me the proudest moments of my spiritual life, next only to moments of receiving MANTRA DIKSHA. My only request is to call me again & again for all Japa Yajnas in future."- A Devotee

2. "Dhuni meditation was a life time experience, overall it is an enriching experience for all of us & given a chance I will come back again for spiritual upliftment."- Surender Vasandani, Mumbai

3. "I am indeed blessed for being able to participate in the 5 day Yajna. I will make all efforts at home to improve my Japam and other spiritual practices. I would like to attend Japa Yajna again & earnestly request you to consider me for future Yajnas."- K Rama Rao, Mumbai

4. "About ‘Dhuni’ I really liked the silence & now I realize that we can also do sadhana if we wish & Thakur will help us in many ways. Only we should have desire for God.- Dr.(Mrs) Nivedita Bakshi, Mumbai

5. "Japa Yajna is really a new thing for us. Although it is very tightly scheduled but we did not feel it. Rather we enjoyed every moment, especially Bhajans & Kirtans. The time spent here will be an unforgettable experience of my life."- Chitra Ray, Mumbai

6. "Usha Kirtana has made a deep impression on my mind. Its timings & the way of its presentation is very good."- Raghunatha Rao, B’lore

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The 1st camp was organised from 14th-18th of May, 08. In this 1st camp more than 75 devotees participated in which around 50 were from outside Belgaum & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

Some photographs of the event

All the devotees performed one lakh japam within 5 days. They were all excited & highly appreciated the program.

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Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 2nd camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 4th-8th of June, 08. In this 2nd camp more than 65 devotees participated in which around 50 were from Mumbai, Thane, Kolhapur & Bangalore & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this second batch there were two additional events namely Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees from Mumbai & Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees were very glad for having got an opportunity to participate in this unique Yajna.

‘Some remarks from the participants’ 

1.The best thing about ‘Japa Yajna’ is that it is a group activity. If anyone had asked me to do a Lakh Japam I would definitely have hesitated to attempt it whatever the incentives might be. Being in a group makes it mo