Hundreds of devotees, donors, well-wishers and members of the public gathered at Sivananda Ghat on Thursday, 1 May 2025, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Sivananda Ghat and participate in the Special All-Souls’ Day Maha Yajna and Satsang. The programme comprised Ganga Arati, a Maha Yajna in which approximately 250 persons participated, Invocation, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s message on the opening of the Sivananda Ghat on 5 June 2005, a message from the Society, Kirtans and Bhajans.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s intuitive, divine wisdom, foresight, visionary leadership and commitment to promote the Master’s teachings, have seen Sivananda Ghat play a pivotal role over the past 20 years in providing bereaved families solace, comfort and a safe and dignified venue for the disposal of the mortal remains of their dear departed, and a venue to perform the Shraddha ceremony. To date 41 423 ash dispersals and 11 204 rituals have been completed at Sivananda Ghat.
Queues of persons, many who visited Sivananda Ghat for the first time, took Ganga Mata’s Darshan during Ganga Arati. The sacred Havan afforded closure in some cases, to bereaved families at losing a dear one. The chanting of Mantras by our three pundits and the offering of oblations created a deeply austere environment. Indeed, a unique occasion in the country when such a large number participated in such a mass Maha Yajna!
In his message on the occasion of the official opening of Sivananda Ghat, Pujya Swamiji paid tribute to our Divine Master, who initiated the All-Souls’ Day prayer in Rishikesh, India. Pujya Swamiji explained that the inspiration for this project came mainly from the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, who had spoken about the Shraddha ceremony and rituals for the deceased. The Master had said: “From now onward the first of every month will be observed at the Ashram as ‘All-Souls Day’. We should offer special prayers for the peace of 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”.
The processes and procedures put in place by Pujya Swamiji for Sivananda Ghat are strictly followed twenty years later. Pujya Swamiji had said, “On the first of every month, Havan and Satsang are conducted for the peace of the departed souls. Those attending, walk around the Ghat singing melodious Bhajans and repeating Ram-Nam. About 2 000 poor people are fed on this day in the name of departed souls. Those wishing to participate in this prayer for the deceased are kindly requested to attend the above monthly prayer at Sivananda Ghat”. Since Sivananda Ghat’s inception, hundreds of worshippers gather for the monthly All-Souls’ Day Prayer and Satsang.
Pujya Swamiji’s words on 5 June 2025 were prophetic, when he said, “The inspiring sayings in Sivananda Ghat will definitely make many individuals to begin seeking God. Many are going to change their lifestyle. The sayings will also bring peace and solace to bereaved families. Today, sudden calamities shatter the minds of people. Sivananda Ghat will definitely help such individuals. The large amount of spiritual literature taken clearly indicates that today, many who are confronting serious problems, are looking for spiritual guidance. Our Master’s book, What Becomes of the Soul After Death, answers many queries about the soul after it leaves the body. It contains valuable information on reincarnation, etc.”.
The message from the Society paid tribute to Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for this wonderful gift, Sivananda Ghat. In reflecting on the value of the rituals during the All-Souls’ Day prayer, Sri Swami Sivananda said, “For a householder the scriptures have imposed the five great sacrifices as obligatory duties of life. The neglect of these duties entails penalty. These great sacrifices are:
- Deva Yajna - sacrifice to Gods
- Rishi Yajna - sacrifice to Rishis
- Pitri Yajna - sacrifice to ancestors
- Bhuta Yajna - sacrifice to animals
- Atithi Yajna - sacrifice to guests
“The Sraddha ceremony comes under Pitri Yajna. It is the most sacred duty of the householder. Every householder should perform the Shraddha ceremony of his ancestors. In Shraddha, it is the essence of food-offerings that is taken up by the sun’s rays to Suryaloka, and departed souls are greatly pleased with the offerings.
“Prayer and Kirtan, good thoughts or good wishes become very helpful to departed souls. Therefore, relatives and friends should do Kirtan and prayers for the peace of the departed souls. Then only can they really help and comfort them. Collective prayer and Kirtan exercise a tremendous influence and valuable assistance to the dead”.
The unique Sivananda Ghat has created interest not only in our city, but also within South Africa and abroad. Since inception, municipal officials had visited the Sivananda Ghat. They appreciated the concept and that it has added value to the environment and to lives of many. In 2015 a book was published entitled, Reconstructing Sacred Space in the Hindu Diaspora: The Case of The Sivananda Ghat, a dissertation that elaborates on the purpose of Sivananda Ghat with relevance to Hindu religious traditions being adapted and promoted outside India. It is interesting that many individuals and organisations have shown interest in replicating Sivananda Ghat. In 2016 members of the Hindu Federation of Canada made a special visit to Sivananda Ghat with the aim of building a similar facility in Canada. Organisations from Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle and Pretoria have also shown interest in building a similar facility.
Pujya Swamiji’s inaugural message finds resonance to this day, when he said, “From the comments and response of individuals, Sivananda Ghat is bringing about a spiritual awakening and transformation in the lives of many visiting the centre. Visitors and members of bereaved families invariably comment about its serene and tranquil atmosphere. Several remarked: ‘This place is heaven on earth’”.
Pujya Swamiji’s legacies will continue for posterity, for Pujya Swamiji has left behind, not what is engraved in stone monuments, but amongst countless initiatives, one being the visionary Sivananda Ghat, that is woven into the lives of thousands. Pujya Swamiji’s and the Master’s bounteous contributions find semblance in Benjamin Disraeli’s words, “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example".
Sivananda Ghat is indeed a boon to the Hindu community of South Africa and a rare innovation of spiritual excellence!
