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Hyderabad Ashram – An Abode of Bliss
Sundara Chaitanya Ashram,
Dundigal Road, Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh 500043
Phones: (08418) 255777 (08418) 255355
The Sundara Chaitanya Ashram at Hyderabad is built in the country side far from
the din of the city. It is situated 40 km away from city on Medak highway near Dundigal
village. It is a picturesque construction both beautiful and sacred, cradled in
the lap of Mother Nature. Overlooking green fields and clustered around by mango
and guava orchards, the ashram provides an excellent atmosphere for serene contemplation.
The Ashram is a huge complex spreading over an area of 10 acres. It has in it -
Bhagawan Murali Krishna Mandir, Dhyana Mandir, Shruti Mandir, Sarada Mandir, Guru
Mandir, Annapurna kshetram, Sant kuteers, Vyasa kuteer, Tree House, Karyalayam,
Nada chaitanyam studio, Books and cassettes sales counter, Chaitanya Hospital, Andhra
Bank, buildings providing accommodation for devotees namely Mathura, Vamsi, Dwaraka,
Yamuna and Kaivalyam, Sudarsanam, dormitories. All the buildings are set among beautiful
landscaped gardens. Three gigantic archways exquisitely designed and erected over
wide roads lead us into a spiritual world of divine excellence.
On entering the Ashram, the world will pass into oblivion leaving us to ourselves
in an absorbed reverie. The grandeur and massiveness of the buildings; the serene
atmosphere of the premises; the joy and felicity that the temple bestows; the charm,
grace and glory of the presiding deity – Lord Murali Krishna are all lovely beyond
words. The hospitality of the inmates who are always busy, active and yet serene
and meditative reflects the magnanimity of the glorious head of the institution
Parama Pujya Swamiji under whose guidance the ashram runs in a smooth, organized
and systematic manner. A multitude of consistent and steadfast Satsangees and devotees
who feel themselves greatly indebted to their Guru throng the ashram on Thursdays,
Sundays and on festival days, to have the darshan of Pujya Gurudev, hear him speak,
seek his blessings and partake of the divine Prasad served in the Annapurna Kshetra.
During the Birthday celebrations of Param Pujya Gurudev in December, devotees from
across the state and abroad come in thousands to take part in the Annual Jatiya
Sadas that may stretch to any length of time from one week to ten days. The sessions
help us look at life from a wholly new angle and we understand very soon that wealth,
name, fame and all other earthly possessions are insignificant in comparison to
the eternal happiness that we are in search of and this, we realize is our true
self. “You traverse the world in search of happiness which is within the reach of
every man – his own essential nature – Himself”, says Pujya Swamiji.
The temple, which is 82 feet high, is a magnificent two-storied edifice and has
a radius of 36 feet. On the first floor is the Krishna mandir and on the ground
floor is the Dhyana mandir. The elaborately carved dome of the temple is 36 feet
high. Huge wooden doors with ornate sculptures depicting Sri Krishna and Arjuna
in Kurukshetra remind us of the artistic splendor of the bygone ages. The entire
structure rises majestically from the middle of a circular pond decorated with fountains
and beautiful statuettes depicting the life of Lord Sri Krishna. All this ornamentation
with a high aesthetic value was solely planned and designed by Pujya Swamiji and
built within an unbelievably short span of ten months. Truly, therefore, the ashram
mirrors the spiritual brilliance, beauty and grandeur of Pujya Swami Sundara Chaitanyanandaji
Maharaj.
Golden Jubilee celebrations
The ashram was inaugurated on 6th December 1997 to mark the 50th birthday of Pujya
Swamiji. Viswa Shanti Homam was also started on the Ashram premises on the same
day. In the evening, the 134th Gyana Yagna was inagurated at the Nizam College Grounds,
Hyderabad by H.H. Swami Ranganadhanandaji - President, Ramakrishna math, Hyderabad.
The other spiritual luminaries to grace the occasion were H.H. Sri Jayendra Saraswati
Swami of Kanchi Kamakoti peetham, Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati and Sri Ananyanandaji
- President, Adwaita Ashram - Himalayas.
On the following morning a 6.5 feet tall marble idol of Bhagawan Sri Krishna was
installed by H.H. Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami. Later, the Viswa Santhi Homam was
concluded. Pujya Sri Swami Viswesa Teertha Maharaj of Pejawar Math, Udipi and Pujya
Swamiji performed Kumbhabhishekam at the top of the 82 feet tall temple jointly.
Both the Swamis addressed and blessed from the top of the temple the devotees who
came in thousands to witness the grand function.
On the same evening, there was a Sant Sammelan at Nizam College Grounds, Hyderabad.
Pujya Sri Chidanandaji Maharaj - President, Divine Life Society - Rishikesh had
graced the congregation beside H.H. Sri Viswesa Teertha Swamiji and Pujya Swamiji.
It was a feast to the ears and eyes to hear their divine messages and see these
great sages of India worshipped and honoured on a common platform.
On the morning of 24th, there was ‘Nagarotsavam’ - a grand procession through the
main streets of the city on an unprecedented scale with thousands of enthusiastic
people joining in. On the same evening, the yearlong statewide Sundara Chaitanya
Golden Jubilee celebrations were concluded at Nizam College Grounds at an auspicious
function with a brilliant display of spiritual grandeur. The young and dedicated
Swamin, the noble stalwart of Advaita philosophy and the Leader of the Hindu Renaissance
movement was honored for his extra ordinary brilliant service to Sanatana Dharma,
with a gold crown with all the pageantry of a coronation.
On 25th was the celebration of Swamiji’s much awaited 50th Birthday in the sacred
precincts of Sundara Chaitanya Ashram. Seated in a large lotus designed and decorated
by his devotees, Swamiji looked a true picture of ‘Gyana Brahma’.
The capital city of Hyderabad, since the beginning of the Ashram, has been the base
for the stupendous spiritual services of Pujya Swamiji to mankind across the Atlantic
and the Pacific oceans.
Click here to see few pictures
of this ashram.
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