Vikal Sharma
Palampur:
The sacred festival of Guru Purnima is being celebrated with great devotion and spiritual enthusiasm at Govind Jeevan Ashram at Parour near Palampur in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The three-day ‘Guru Puja’, which began on July 9, will continue until July 11, drawing devotees from across the region.
The celebrations commenced on the morning of July 9 with the Akhand Ramayan Path, a continuous recitation of the Ramayana, performed with full Vedic rituals and Sanskrit chants. Scholars of the ashram, along with disciples and spiritually inclined devotees, participated wholeheartedly, filling the atmosphere with divine energy and devotion. The Ramayan Path concluded on July 10, marking the beginning of the Guru Pooja rituals.
Following the recitation, devotees paid heartfelt tributes to the revered Swami Prakashanand Ji Maharaj, offering aarti at his samadhi (memorial shrine). The spiritual focus then turned to the current head of the ashram, Swami Premanand Ji Maharaj, with a special Guru Puja conducted from 6 am to 11 am.
Swami Premanand Ji Maharaj later delivered a profound spiritual discourse (satsang), illuminating the role of the Guru in guiding seekers on the path to liberation. He spoke on attaining Brahma-realisation (Brahmaleen), which leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death, and release from the journey through 84 lakh (8.4 million) life forms.
Swamiji emphasised the transformative power of a true Guru’s grace and wisdom, stating that even an ordinary life can be elevated through sincere devotion and spiritual guidance. He also highlighted the rare and invaluable presence of true saints (sants) in today’s world. The satsang concluded with the distribution of ‘phalahar’ (fruit refreshments) to all gathered devotees, further enriching the communal spirit of the occasion.
As the celebration continues, the final day on July 11 will feature a grand community feast (‘bhandara’). The ashram will host devotees, local residents and visitors from nearby areas, offering ‘prasad’ to all as a symbol of divine grace and unity.
Vikal Sharma
