Tongaat South Vishnu Temple was the venue for the Society’s Centenary Celebrations hosted by Tongaat Branch on Saturday, 10 May 2025. Havan commenced at 2pm, Ganga Arati began at 3.30pm, followed by Satsang at 4pm. A cultural programme comprising guest artistes was from 6.15pm to 7.30pm.
Scores of devotees, patrons, donors and well-wishers attended the sacred Havan conducted by the Ashram’s three pundits. For many, taking Mother Ganga’s Darshan during Ganga Arati, was a first-time experience. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, an overview of the history of Tongaat Branch, a delightful and informative play and a group dance. 
The message from the Society aptly captured the ethos of the Centenary Celebrations, and more especially, Pujya Swamiji’s 100th Birth Anniversary celebrations, his life and legacies. This is evident in, “Pujya Swamiji dedicated his entire life to promote the work and teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda. He set up Ashrams for our spiritual sustenance, printed and distributed the Master’s books far and wide, and commenced with humanitarian projects to give devotees the opportunity to worship God by serving fellow man.
“His visionary leadership in establishing the Sivananda Sunlit Path Programme to assist youth cope with drug addiction and social ills, poor feeding programmes for over 3000 school children daily, grocery hamper distributions to the needy, our clinics and numerous educational, social and humanitarian initiatives, Monthly Yoga Camps, Sivananda Day Satsangs, and our beautiful Ashrams and Satsangs, are the various love offerings that were made by this gentle Saint at the feet of our Divine Master”.
With reference to our roles and responsibilities, the message implored us as follows, “Today we are all beneficiaries of this great spiritual wealth if we so desire. All that is required of us is faith, obedience, loyalty, devotion, and keen aspiration for spiritual progress. How do we honour a great being like Sri Swami Sahajananda? We must obey. Pujya Swamiji stated that perfect obedience is the same as perfect self-surrender, and that obedience is greater than reverence. Let us obey some simple rules to improve our lives. Pujya Swamiji stated, ‘Obedience is the most important law of life. It has to be practised not only in spiritual institutions, but also at home, on the road while driving, and at one’s place of work. Health rules also have to be observed. Check yourself carefully every day and see where you are faltering. Our Divine Master’s books will be your guide’”. Pujya Swamiji has said that if we cannot be obedient as adults, how can we expect our children to obey us?
Tongaat played an important role in the history and development of Divine Life Society of South Africa, as is evident in the message on its history, “Tongaat Branch of Divine Life Society of South Africa, was established in 1956 by a group of devotees on the instructions of Sri Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa. Satsangs were held at the Sabha Temple in Railway Street, Tongaat. In 1959, Pujya Swamiji created the North Coast Regional Council of Divine Life Society of South Africa. The council comprised branches from Mt Edgecombe to Richards Bay. There were 28 members in the council drawn from the branches. The purpose of the North Coast Regional Council was to assist branches which were struggling in terms of their operations”. The message also provided an overview of the creation of Sivananda international Cultural (SICC), after the Department of Education refused permission for a school to be built on land donated by a devotee, Sri R. E. Naidoo. Several organisations declined Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s offer of the land. Pujya Swamiji then commenced with building SICC in 1987, as an offering to Sri Swami Sivananda in the year of the Divine Master’s 100th birth anniversary.
A delightful play, “Home Sadhana”, was enacted by female devotees in the age group, 8 to 68. This play was dedicated to the sacred memory of Pujya Swamiji on the auspicious occasion of his Birth Centenary Celebration, in the hope that devotees may follow in the noble footsteps of this colossal spiritual being. Pujya Swamiji introduced home Sadhana to inspire families to create spiritual vibrations in the home. The play highlighted some distractions to Sadhana, namely, the harmful effects of excessive television viewing, abuse of cellular phones, listening to disco music and other common vices. Aspects of home Sadhana that were focused upon were: chanting the Divine Name, Likhit Japa, Dining Room Kirtans and benefits of singing Kirtans and Bhajans. The profound message of the play is encapsulated in the following excerpt from the play, “Let us repay our debt of gratitude to our Divine Master and Pujya Swamiji for the bounteous gifts they have bestowed upon us by following this spiritual routine. During our prayers, let us send healing energies across the world to all those in dire need of help. There are no problems that cannot be solved by prayer, no sufferings that cannot be overcome by prayer, no trials that cannot be met with prayer. Pujya Swamiji taught that the Name of the Lord will solve every problem without exception”. The excellent performance by the cast, clarity of enunciation and articulation, the interactive dialogue, rapport and humour, the brilliance of the message, and the sincerity in the enactment, are worthy of high praise.
The Kolattam dance performed with distinction by devotees of the Branch, is a vibrant and rhythmic folk dance from South India, and a traditional art form that combines music, movement, and devotion. It is an ancient folk dance usually performed by women using two short wooden sticks. The dancers generally stand in a circular formation and criss-cross the sticks to make specific rhythms while singing folk songs.
The cultural programme after Satsang comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans by Vernon Govender and Troupe. Sri Vernon Govender is the recipient of several awards and is a recording artiste. Melodious Kirtans and Bhajans were also sung by Sri Raj and Smt Usha Maharaj of “Samgita Vandana”. The mellifluous renditions by both groups were overwhelming, full of Bhakti and a wonderful offering to Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji. Two outstanding dance items were performed by Kumarie Verona’s Dance Institute.
Tongaat Branch has done exceptionally well in organising all aspects of this celebration, for which we applaud the Committee and devotees. Their dedication, Guru Bhakti, attention to detail and hard work have not gone unnoticed and have made a significant impact on all who attended the celebration. Their efforts were nothing short of exemplary. Their ability to accomplish all tasks related to the function with limited resources, reflects their deep commitment to excellence and dedicated service to the Society. Being a group of sincere and committed devotees, Tongaat Branch excelled in all respects. All items were of a high standard, insightful, well-rehearsed, sincere and well-presented. The harmony with which devotees in the different departments functioned is remarkable.
May Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda bless all.
