Guru Purnima was celebrated by sannyasis and devotees on July 13 at Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram — Noida, with a day filled with spiritual activities honouring Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda and the YSS line of Gurus.
Early in the morning, nearly 200 devotees gathered near Guruji’s vedi for the traditional prabhat feri. Monastics led the procession with Guruji’s picture placed on an ornately decorated palki (palanquin), and sang kirtans. The atmosphere was filled with divine joy as the procession made its way around the inside periphery of the ashram. At the end, devotees came forward to offer flower petals to Guruji’s picture. This was followed by a group meditation.
In the afternoon, Narayan Seva, (serving God in all) was arranged outside the main gate of the ashram. Brahmachari Swarupananda led the devotees in prayer before starting the event. Many devotees volunteered to serve the prasad to nearly 1,350 people.
The Guru Purnima commemoration function was held in the evening which was attended by around 800 devotees. The function started with group meditation led by Swami Vasudevananda followed by a spiritual discourse. Swamiji spoke of the YSS line of Gurus and their promise to guard and guide all sincere Kriya Yogis on the path. He also narrated inspiring stories and anecdotes relating to the significance of the Guru in a devotee’s life. The spiritual programme concluded with bhajans led by Swamiji and joined in by the devotees as they offered their pushpanjali at the altar. At the end, prasad packets were distributed to all the devotees.
