Build Hope – Sivananda Sevashram
SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALISE. So Says Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj
Swami Sivananda Saraswati (September 8, 1887—July 14, 1963) was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a well known proponent of Yoga and Vedanta. Sivananda was born Kuppuswami in Pattamadai, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine and served in Malaya as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism. He lived most of the later part of his life near Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh. He is the founder of The Divine Life Society (1936), Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (1948) and author of over 200 books on yoga, vedanta and a variety of other subjects. He established Sivananda Ashram, the location of the headquarters of The Divine Life Society (DLS), on the bank of the Ganges at Shivanandanagar, at a distance of 3 kilometres from Rishikesh.
Sivananda Yoga, the yoga form propagated by him, are now spread in many parts of the world through Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, but these centres are not affiliated with Swami Sivananda’s original ashrams which are run by the Divine Life Society. Read More: > HERE <
His Holiness Swami Sivananda was born in Pathamadai in Thirunelveli district, South India. Ever since his childhood, His Holiness was totally devoted to serving others. He worked very hard and graduated in Medicine. As a doctor he earned money but could not obtain peace of mind. He realized that earning a lot of money does not mean earning peace and happiness. Instead, spiritualism alone can help one attain MUKTHI or MOKSHA. His mind was in search of peace and was in a quest for the ultimate purpose of being born in this world. He felt that everyone must have a goal in life and one must lead one’s life with purpose and meaning.
Swami Sivananda proceeded to Rishikesh in North India, where he realized his goal while sitting on the banks of Ganges. He advocated non-violence, truth and worship. Many were impressed by his simplicity and teachings. He gathered a lot of followers and in due course, a mission was started in a small hut which today proudly stands as SWAMI SIVANANDA SARASWATHI SEVASHRAM at Rishikesh. His teachings were simple and he saw God as Omnipotent. He advocated the principle that „ONE CAN FIND GOD IN HIS/HER OWN HEART BY BEING HONEST AND LEADING A SIMPLE LIFE“. He believed the teachings of the Quran, Bhagavath Gita and Bible to be the same. He also believed that there was no need for one to go in search of God, as one can find God in their own hearts by not being selfish, but by making sacrifices for others. Many devotees all around the world were fascinated by his teachings and started several missions in Yoga, Siddha and other spiritual awakenings.The late founders of Sivananda Ashram, Sri S. V. Iyer and Dr. V. Mangalam, started this organization after being enlightened by Swamiji that the only real happiness a human being could find was by serving others.
We hope Swamiji’s teachings inspire and motivate all of us to do what we can to help others lead a better life.
Shri. S. V. Iyer and Dr. V. Mangalam, an elderly couple, started Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram in 1945 with just 3 kids and with the blessings of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. More popularly known as „Sivananda Ashram/Orphanage/Gurukulam“, the organization has grown to be a very well known and well recognized social institution in the country today.
We are a „National Awardee“ institution recognized by the Government of India in 1983.
Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram is a non-profit organization with the primary objective of protecting orphans, destitute women, the physically handicapped, AIDS-affected children, and the elderly.
With the experience of more than 60 years of recorded services to thousands of poor orphans, Sivananda Orphanage effectively helps transform/grow these orphans to productive citizens. We not only provide food, education and shelter, but also instill character and morals to help them grow, learn and eventually become independent.
Many, including former Prime Minister of India, Shri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru have visited our ashram and witnessed our committed work. We currently look after 300 children and 80 elderly, all of whom are accepted and cared for with love and affection.
Shreeraagam Group photo with Padmashree Dr.S.Rajaram
Our Work
What good did the creature of the earth do to the clouds that pour the rain? So indeed should you serve society seeking no return. There is no pleasure in this world or in the other world equal to the joy of being helpful to those around you. Do not lose the opportunity for this rare pleasure.“
-Thirukkural
(THIRUKKURAL is one of the greatest poetical composition of antiquity written ever in Indian Literature)
Thirukkural (Tamil: திருக்குறள் also known as the Kural) is a classic of couplets or Kurals (1330 rhyming Tamil couplets) or aphorisms celebrated by Tamils.
It was authored by Thiruvalluvar, and is considered to be the first work to focus on ethics in Dravidian literature. Although the exact period of its composition is still disputed, scholars agree that it was produced before the 4th century A.D. The Thirukkural expounds on various aspects of life and is one of the most important works in the Tamil language. This is reflected in some of the other names by which the text is known: Tamil marai (Tamil Veda); poyyamozhi (words that never fail); and teyva nul or dheiva nool (divine text).The book is considered to be a posterior to Arthashastra by some historians and to precede Manimekalai and Silapathikaram since both the latter acknowledge the Kural text. Read More: > HERE <
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
Child Welfare:
New children are admitted to our orphanage periodically. We normally admit kids who have lost both their parents. Currently, total strength of our ashram is 300. Inflow of children is balanced with the outflow of children that graduate from 10th class every year. Generally, children who have one parent alive are not admitted, but the ashram board makes certain exceptions based on their poverty levels etc. Pure orphans are our first priority.
We provide a hygienic environment, balanced nutritious food, clothing, shelter, education, morals, basic family values, culture, and above all the true value of love and affection.
We get an unexplainable sense of satisfaction by serving these children.
Old Age Home:
The idea of starting an old age home was proposed by His Holiness Sankaracharya of Kanchee Mutt when he visited the orphanage. It is due to his efforts a home for the aged was started in the year 1985 and inaugurated by SHRI R.Venkataraman, the then honorable vice-president of india.
One of the major advantages of our organization is that all the 300 orphaned kids have the support of the 80+ senior citizens who themselves are neglected by their kith and kin. The kids do not feel that they are born as orphans and they can select one or more of the 80 senior citizens as their father, mother, grandma or grandpa. In return, the senior citizens get love and affection from more than 300 tiny tots when they need it the most.
We currently have approximately 20 employees helping take care of the orphanage and the old age home.
Medical Dispensary:
The Ashram has a dispensary in which a Doctor takes care of not only the kids & elders of the institution, but also the villagers of Chengalpattu MGR District.
Schools:
The organization runs both primary and high schools accredited by the State Government, which benefits the orphans and thousands of rural children in and around Chengalpattu MGR District. We have been successfully running a Matriculation school (in English medium) for the past few years as well.
Total number of children in all schools = 2000
Total number of staff in all schools = 120
Total number of villages served = 25
SOME OF OUR KEY INITIATIVES
A Seminar On Promotion Of National Integration And Mass Feeding :
Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to sanction grants for conducting 5 Seminars during 5 National Festivals of our Country. The Government accepted his suggestion for a seminar and mass feeding for thousands of villagers for five festivals. Due to his initiative the organization conducted seminars on promotion of national integration and mass feeding by inviting key individuals and Ministers. Thousands of villagers attended the seminar and got benefited. This approach resulted as a very good platform for the villagers to understand the reality of life, create sense of Unity, and promote National Integration.
Rehabilitation Of Srilanka Orphan Children:
The riots in Sri Lanka was a rude shock for everyone as the people from Indian origin were badly affected. When the trouble started, Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Government of India that he is prepared to admit 50 orphan children who are parentless or helpless in the orphanage and try to rehabilitate them. He proceeded to the refugee camp in Mandapam near Rameswaram and worked in the relief camp for a week along with Shri Ramakrishna Mission. He identified the children and fulfilled all the formalities and gave asylum to 50 orphan children at Sivananda Gurukulam.
Providing Relief For Bhopal Gas Tragedy Victims:
At the time of this catastrophe, Dr. S. Rajaram offered the Government of Madya Pradesh and the Government of India to adopt 50 affected orphan children.
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