The Special All Souls’ Day Havan and Satsang at Sivananda Ghat on Friday, 1 May 2026, was attended by hundreds of devotees, well-wishers, donors and members of the public, especially persons who lost loved ones recently. The programme commenced at 2pm with Ganga Arati, followed by Havan and Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans, Bhajans, messages by Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, and an address by the guest speaker, Pundit Kanayalal Jinabhai of the Saptah Mandir in Reservoir Hills.

In his message, Sri Swami Sivananda advised on the importance of prayer and Kirtan for the departed. He said, “Prayer and Kirtan, good thoughts or good wishes become very helpful to departed souls. They can be of invaluable assistance to the dead. Prayer acts on the principle of a radio station and broadcasts the waves of good thoughts just as the radio station broadcasts waves of sound.

“Prayer or Kirtan is a mighty force which helps departed souls in their progress towards heaven, and their quiet passage through the intermediate state. 

“Departed souls remain in a state of unconsciousness or swoon immediately after death. They cannot feel that they are detached from their previous gross material bodies. Prayers, Kirtan and good thoughts from relatives and friends can give real solace to the departed souls. They create a potent vibration and awakening in their stupefied condition of mind, and restore their consciousness that has been veiled. They then begin to realise that they are not really in their gross material bodies”. 

The origin of All Souls’ Day is captured in Sivananda’s Gospel of Divine Life. The Master said, "From now onward the first of every month will be observed at the Ashram as 'All Souls' Day'. We should offer special prayer for the peace of all departed souls. In this modernised, materialistic world, Dharma has long ago been lost. Many religions have come into being in India itself that vehemently condemn the practice of ancestor-worship, Tarpana and Shraddha. The departed souls are in great grief. They naturally look to us to help them. We must do this”. This is evident when an aspirant mentioned that a spiritualist who visited the Ashram recently, had contacted several departed souls, who declared that they were eternally grateful to the Master for his Kirtans and prayers for their peace. They said that they had received great benefit through his mercy. 

In respect of the programme for the All-Souls’ Day at the Master’s Ashram, the Master explained that in the morning there should be consecrated food-offerings for the departed souls and special worship in the temple. Poor-feeding and feeding of the Sadhus would be done as well. In the evening there would be a special Ganga worship, when lights will be floated in the Ganga in the names of the departed souls, with special illumination in the temple.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s inaugural message on the official opening of Sivananda Ghat on 5 June 2005, paid tribute to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, whose inspiration saw the realisation of this unique facility. Pujya Swamiji said, “Sivananda Ghat, next to the Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium in Durban is the highlight of the activities of Divine Life Society of South Africa. This spiritual and educational centre is a fitting tribute to the Divine Master, His Holiness, Sri Swami Sivananda, because he himself founded the Divine Life movement in South Africa”. His message also paid tribute to donors and well-wishers, and alluded to the Society’s charitable work. Divine Life Society of South Africa has also given financial assistance to more than 40 Hindu temples, Ashrams and spiritual institutions in South Africa, and about 20 overseas, mainly in India.

The guest speaker, Pundit Kanayalal Jinabhai traced the close association of the Society and Saptah Mandir over the past 60 years. Pujya Swamiji’s inspiration, guidance and advice on the construction of the Mandir, and his role in its official opening in 2005 were deeply appreciated. Punditji paid glowing tributes to Pujya Swamiji and the illustrious work of the Society. Pujya Swamiji was a patron of Saptah Mandir. Saptah Mandir had regular Satsangs at our Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. He also alluded to the importance of meditation and prayer, singing of Kirtans and Bhajans and the repetition of Ram-Nam as tools for spiritual growth. He said that Sivananda Ghat plays a significant role in giving the departed a dignified departure from the physical world. He also said that devotees of Saptah Mandir are beneficiaries of Swami Sivananda’s divine teachings. 

From the numerous accolades from members of the public, appreciation and gratitude, and comments on social media, it is clear that the Special All Souls’ Day Havan and Satsang play an important part in the healing process of bereaved families.

The sacred observance of All Souls’ Day at Sivananda Ghat over the past 21 years, becomes a deeply moving expression of remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual upliftment for departed souls. Rooted in the universal teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda, prayer for the departed is not merely ritual, but an act of love that aids the onward journey of the soul through sincere devotion, selfless service, and collective chanting. This noble vision was faithfully nurtured and expanded in South Africa by Sri Swami Sahajananda, whose vision, compassion and dedication ensure that such prayers became a living tradition accessible to all. Thus, at Sivananda Ghat, the confluence of prayer, remembrance, and Grace continue to offer solace to the living, and spiritual benefit to the departed, affirming the timeless truth that love transcends even death.

May the Divine Mission of Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda live on for decades, if not for posterity, in South Africa and across the world.

The auspicious Ganga Saptami was celebrated at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills on Thursday, 23 April 2026. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised readings from the book, Mother Ganga by Sri Swami Sivananda, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, Kirtans and Bhajans.

Sri Swami Sivananda considered the Ganga to be the most sacred river of India, and says that Ganga Saptami marks the day when the sacred waters of the Ganga descended from the heavens. Lord Siva received Mother Ganga in His matted locks on this day. 

In the reading entitled, “Lord Siva Receives the Ganga”, from the book, Mother Ganga, Sri Swami Sivananda, said, “Again, Bhagiratha sat doing rigorous penance for a full hundred years. It is needless to say that Lord Siva, the Protector of all His devotees, was immensely pleased with the king and readily accepted to check and control Ganga through His matted locks. With surge, fury and foam, Ganga began to descend from celestial regions. Flashes of lightning, thunders from clouds, and the uncontrollable flow seemed as if a deluge was about to devour the whole world. But Lord Siva coolly received Her in His matted locks and let Her drip over Him. This is the Ganga Saptami Day”.

In the poem, “O Adorable Mother Ganga”, Sri Swami Sivananda extols the grandeur, beauty and divinity of Mother Ganga. He portrays Mother Ganga as: a Divine Mother - compassionate, ever-forgiving and nurturing all beings; as a Purifier - cleansing not only physical impurities, but mental and spiritual ignorance as well; as a Liberator - granting freedom from the cycle of birth and death, and as an Embodiment of Grace - flowing endlessly, just as divine mercy flows towards all.

Pujya Swamiji’s audio message focused on the themes of self-surrender and Divine Grace. He cited the anecdote of a disciple of Sri Aurobindo, who had a deep and abiding desire for God. Despite her simplicity, lack of qualifications and credentials, she realised God after 20 years, only because of her self-surrender, faith and yearning for God. Similarly, Grace can descend on any sincere disciple when the time is right. He said, “Today, Gurudev’s Grace is a matter of common experience, at least to me”. Pujya Swamiji encapsulated whatever thoughts came   from Sri Gurudev into the booklet, Faith and Self-Surrender, a booklet which is the panacea for all problems. He said that initially he didn’t know anything about self-surrender. Upon deep reflection, he realised that the path that Sri Gurudev wanted him to follow was the path of self-surrender. When one is tested and tried, and if one   succeeds, then it is a sign of surrender. One can realise God within, but one needs not change one’s external nature. Sri Gurudev encouraged complete change on the path of transformation, for which self-surrender is a necessity. Self-surrender will enable one to get rid of sorrow, suffering and pain. Complete transformation is a sign of self-surrender.  He said, “Because we resist, we delay our progress”, thus limiting transformation and self-surrender. 

Sri Swami Sivananda often encouraged devotees not only to bathe in the physical Ganga, but to internalise her purity, and to let the “inner Ganga” flow through pure thoughts, selfless actions, and devotion. His love for Mother Ganga and the esoteric meanings he attributes to Her, remain a powerful blueprint for devotees, laymen, modern youth and generations to come. He advocates selfless service, urging us to give like the river which sustains everyone, without discrimination. This promotes social harmony and altruism in a self-centered world. Furthermore, he emphasizes resilience. Just as the river flows around every obstacle to reach the sea, we must persist steadfastly towards our goals. His focus on purity - keeping the mind unpolluted by negativity, offers a spiritual remedy for modern-day challenges and problems. Ultimately, it’s about transforming our lives into a steady, purposeful flow towards higher consciousness, namely inner transformation through self-surrender.