As an offering to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, Lord Rama and Sri Hanuman, the 41 Day Sri Hanuman Chalisa recital will commence on Monday, 03 March 2025. The launch of the 41 day recital will take place on 03 March 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commences at 5:30pm followed by 11 recitals of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa. The 41 day recital will culminate on the sacred Sri Hanuman Jayanti on 12 April 2025.

If you would like to participate in the 41 day recital, kindly complete the online pledge form below. All signed pledges will be offered at the Shrine on the day of the launch. 

Kindly click on the link below to join the Maha Kumbha Mela Celebrations live from Sivananda International Cultural Centre, La Mercy

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The Swami Sahajananda Community Centre in Forderville, Estcourt was the venue for the launch of Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s Birth Centenary Celebrations on Sunday, 26 February 2025. The event was hosted by the Society’s Estcourt Branch. The day’s programme commenced at 8am with Havan, followed by breakfast. A special “Lamp Lighting Ceremony” commenced at 9.15am, followed by Ganga Arati at 9.30am and Satsang at 10am. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, a message from the Society, cultural items, an address by the Mayor of Umtshezi Municipality, the release of a special brochure and a dance item.

The precincts of the Gayatri Mandir and the Sri Swami Sahajananda Community Centre were enveloped in the soulful Mantra chants of the sacred Havan. Representatives of various local Hindu organisations participated in the Havan, which set the tone and created an appropriate ambience for the auspicious launch of Pujya Swamiji’s Birth Centenary Celebrations in Estcourt, the town of Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s birth. Coincidentally, Pujya Swamiji’s 100th birth anniversary this year coincides with the sacred Sri Guru Purnima on 10 July 2025. Indeed, a celestial alignment of great importance and relevance to devotees.

The lighting of 100 diyas (lamps), with the rendition of the Sivananda Arati, was both symbolic and a memorable moment. The audience witnessed, in rapt attention, a unique happening, which signified the presence of divinity, knowledge, wisdom, purity and perfection – all that Pujya Swamiji embodied and personified.

Pujya Swamiji’s audio message gave succinct instructions for self-transformation. He explained that Sri Gurudev taught that we should see divinity in animate and inanimate objects also. Pujya Swamiji said, “However difficult it is, we should try to see God, not only in the forms that are living and moving, but also in inert forms”. He explained that we should see goodness in all and spread positivity, rather than hatred and negativity. If there is hatred and animosity, then it is indicative of something being wrong in one’s Sadhana. We must change our angle of vision for spiritual growth. When one complained to Sri Gurudev, Sri Aurobindo and Sri Swami Yogananda, they all asked the complainant to introspect and make an effort to change. They emphasised self-transformation and did not call in the other person. The message was pregnant with a deep and profound spiritual message for inner reflection, deep self-transformation and Sadhana for spiritual growth.

The message from Divine Life Society of South Africa provided a succinct insight into Pujya Swamiji’s life and legacies, his contributions to the spiritual, social, poverty-alleviation, and educational welfare of all, as well as his humanitarian contributions and initiatives. The focus of the message was on our roles and responsibilities, in order to sustain Pujya Swamiji’s legacies. The following excerpts from the message find resonance in this regard.

“Today, we are all beneficiaries of this immense spiritual legacy if we choose to embrace it. The keys to accessing this wealth are faith, obedience, loyalty, devotion, and a strong desire for spiritual growth. To honour a great soul like Pujya Swamiji, we must practise his teachings, chief amongst which are unconditional self-surrender and obedience. He taught that perfect obedience equates to perfect self-surrender, and that it surpasses mere reverence. By adhering to simple principles in our daily lives, be it at home, on the road, or at work, we can enhance our existence. He emphasised that ‘Obedience is the most important law of life’, urging us to observe health rules, road traffic rules, the rules of establishments and institutions, and to reflect on our daily shortcomings. 

“Our Divine Master's writings will guide us on this journey. Merely associating with a saint or an ashram is insufficient; we must embody the values taught by our Master, namely serve, love, give, purify and meditate, and live a Divine Life prioritising God. Pujya Swamiji exemplified faith and self-surrender, a theme captured in his first book published in 1996. The title is, Faith and Self-Surrender. … Pujya Swamiji revealed that the insights within came directly from Sri Gurudev as he typed the script without drafts. This booklet promises inspiration for all readers amid life's challenges”.