Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Uttar Prant, Jammu Kashmir Vibhag, Shri Ramakrishna Mahasammelan Ashram – Vivekananda Kendra, Nagdandi Branch organized its 26th Annual Bhandara Service from 12th to 16th June 2024 at Tulmulla and the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) premises in Ganderbal.
The Jyeshtha Ashtami puja is the most auspicious annual congregation at the Shri Kheer Bhawani Durga Temple in Tulmulla. Every year, with the divine grace of Mata, the Bhandara service (meals served to devotees as a service) is provided by Vivekananda Kendra karyakarthas to thousands of devotees within Mata Parisar and Central University of Kashmir in Ganderbal. Over the five days, tea, refreshments, and meals are served to facilitate the concentration of devotees on Puja-Archana and other religious activities.
This year, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of J&K, UT, Mananeeya Sri Manoj Sinha Ji visited the Nagdandi Bhojan Vitran Parisar. He congratulated all Karyakarthas for their selfless ‘Ishwari Karya’ of Man Making and Nation Building. A record presence of Yatries was observed at various places in Kashmir this year due to significant progressive normalcy.
Ashram History and Activities:
Swami Ashokanand Ji Maharaj founded Shri Ramakrishna Mahasammelan Ashram (SRMA) in Nagdandi, Achabal, Anantnag, Kashmir in 1937. The Ashram was established to teach, preach, propagate, and preserve "Sanatan Dharma," and to inspire visitors, especially youth, to work for intra- and inter-state integration from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Since 6th October 1970, the Ashram has been developed and managed under the aegis of Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, a spiritually oriented service mission.
With the twin objectives of ‘Man Making and Nation Building,’ the Ashram organizes regular activities such as Kendra Varga, Swadhyaya Varga, Yoga Varga, and Samskar Varga. The Ashram also celebrates various festivities such as Navreh, Durga Ashtami, Ramnavmi, International Day of Yoga, Universal Brotherhood Day, and National Youth Day, and organizes Yog Shiksha Shivir, Personality Development Camps, Spiritual Retreats, and Prashikshan Shivirs.
These activities not only offer spiritual gains but also facilitate the connection of displaced people back to their roots in Kashmir, promoting normalcy, peace, and prosperity in the Valley, contributing to intra- and inter-state integration from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
In addition to spiritual activities, the Ashram undertakes infrastructure development and has developed Density Apple & Walnut Orchards, making the Ashram self-sustaining and serving as demonstrative blocks for the farming community.
