Shivraatri at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha

THE transcendental ambience of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha headquarters at Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara is one that has provided solace and comfort to many troubled souls.

Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva, as creators of mankind, with the symbol of procreation – the lingam and Yoni -- in the foreground. They are also known as the Shivalingam
Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva, as creators of mankind, with the symbol of procreation – the lingam and Yoni — in the foreground. They are also known as the Shivalingam

Its aura of peace and spiritual bliss has encapsulated, enervated, and elevated many who subsequently became devotees, and a few chosen ones who take vows to pursue the life of a sanyasi.

Former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said, in the video production on the Life of His Holiness Guruji Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj, the first Swami of the Caribbean and a giant among men and monks, that as a young man, long before he became Minister of Finance or President, he often sat under the trees and submerged himself in the ambience of peace and spiritual tranquility of the Ashram. So has great Shivbakht, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is convinced that it is only by the devotion to Lord Shiva that he learned to practise at the Ashram, and through the guidance of Guruji that he has achieved all he has today.

The Guyana Sevashram Sangha, known to everyone as the Cove and John Ashram, has been described as the spiritual and academic capital of the Caribbean. It is certainly the holy place of pilgrimage in Guyana for Hindus, who journey from all over Guyana and all over the world especially to celebrate Shivratri at this holy place that has been sanctified by the great sacrifices of the monks and devotees, who have worked unremittingly and made tremendous sacrifices to serve mankind through educational, spiritual and empowerment pursuits.

It is an amazing phenomenon that the Hindu College takes children with the lowest assessment passes, those who did not gain entrance to recognised high schools, some of them with serious disciplinary problems, and churn out the most rounded personalities who straddle the world today in achievements at the highest levels in various spheres of endeavour

What is interesting to note is that a top student of the Hindu College two years ago, Cliffon Chichester, had been transferred to the Hindu College from President’s College (PC) at the request of her dad, former principal of PC, because she had been doing badly at what is supposed to be Guyana’s premier institution of learning.

Through this local branch of the universal Bharat Sangha, Guyana has produced the only monks originating from the western hemisphere, and today they serve the Lord in various parts of the world. It is a miracle to see the transformation of what was once 20 acres of swampland donated by Mrs. Resaul Maraj, “Big Mai”, largely through unremitting toil and sacrifices of the monks, bramcharis, and devotees of Hindu dharm; and it is an even greater miracle to witness what is achieved from extremely little resources at the Ashram. Food is cooked for thousands with the most basic of kitchen facilities, with no modern equipment, such as a simple blender, where even a grater to strip carrots had to be borrowed because the one at the Ashram was falling to pieces. Until Mrs. Seeta Sharma of the Sharma Foundation donated a washing machine to the Ashram, washing had been done for dozens of boys at the dormitory in the most primitive way, yet the environment is kept scrupulously clean by a handful of very dedicated and committed adherents of Hinduism, who have followed their religion’s precepts of service to mankind without expectation of reward.

Under the stewardship of Guruji, after the departure of His Holiness Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj, founder of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, despite the trying times when the Sangha’s school was usurped and converted to public institutions with a consequential degradation of its once pristine standards, the complex continued its transformation into a modern institute of academia and theology.

Place of pilgrimage
From the inception of its establishment, the Ashram has been Guyana’s place of pilgrimage for Hindus, especially during the auspicious Shivaraatri festival.
During Shivaraatri observances, Hindus flock the Ashram from all parts of the world, and last Thursday was no exception.
The Bharat SevashramSangha celebrates Maha Shiva Ratri at all its worldwide Sanghas for 24-hour worship, commencing at 05:30 hrs with Shri Guru Aarti and Procession with the Tulsi Plant, and concluding the following day at 05.30 hrs with the concluding Aarti.
Every year, the Guyana Sevashram Sangha is blessed with the presence of its spiritual and administrative head, His Holiness Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj (Guruji).
During the 24 observances, devotees from every part of Guyana and all over the world make what has become an annual pilgrimage to pay obeisance at the holy feet of the Lord, and seek His divine blessings.
Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj had been sent to Trinidad by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, where he was working when he was sent an invitation to establish a mission of the Sangha in Guyana. He came for a brief visit on a one-way ticket, but never returned. He had just been gifted land in Cove and John by the great devotee who is lovingly and respectfully called “Big Maie”, the wife of businessman Resaul Maraj, to build the Ashram.
Today, the Guyana Sevashram Sangha and its various arms in Guyana stand testimony to the courage, determination and commitment of Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj and his disciples. A shrine of many miracles, the Ashram at Cove and John has become a holy place of pilgrimage for Hindus in Guyana and the world over.
Every year, the Ashram invites everyone in the fraternity of humanity to join with its devotees to seek the blessings of the great Lord of the universe, Lord Shiva, and incarnate Sri Sri Guru Maharaj, founder of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, during the auspicious observances of Maha Shiva Ratri. Some adherents who always grace the occasion are Indi Beharry; Presidential Advisor Charles Ramson and his wife Leila; their son Charles (Jnr); with the family being joined this year by Charles’s new bride, the former Alana Seebarran; Prime Minister Sam Hinds, former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr. Bobby Ramroop, and a galaxy of devotees of Lord Shiva. Former Finance Minister Sasenarine Kowlessar, a product of the Sangha’s gurukul system, is the annual Master of Ceremonies during these auspicious occasions.
During a Havan ceremony in the main auditorium of the Hindu College last Thursday, the venerable Guruji expounded on the way ancient Hindu philosophies propagated down the centuries through various theological instruments; and quoting extensively from the Gita, elucidated on the dynamics of religion as it shapes existence on planet earth, especially on the lessons it imparts for perfect leadership. According to Guruji, all religions should be respected because they all chart one path to the supreme father; and he adjured everyone to be the best they could be within the pathway they choose to reach the Lord.
President Donald Ramotar spoke of the nation’s dilemma at this juncture, and expressed the hope that the blessings of the Supreme Lord will move the country in the right direction, so that all Guyanese should unite to chart a pathway to peace and progress.

(By Parvati Persaud-Edwards)

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