Welcome! Suswagatam!

sadāśiva samāramabhāṃ śaṅkarācārya madhyamām asmadācārya paryantāṃ vande guru paramparām

SRIMAD DHRUVANANDA JI MAHARAJ
Designation: Vice President of Prem Mandir Ashram

Annapurna Puja occupies a place of special significance in the history of Prem Mandir Ashram. The Ashram itself is a manifestation of Annapurna Devi's benevolence. Despite being in financial in-affluence, Srimad Taranand ji Maharaj could procure aid from unexpected sources and celebrate Annapurna puja and Ashram's inaugural ceremony with grandeur.

Devi Annapurna granted her second boon to the Ashram in the form of Dhruvanand ji Maharaj. In an Annapurna puja of 1965, a young boy walked into the Ashram, enthusiastic for prasad.Seeing promise in the little boy, Tarananda Brahmachari Maharaj casually inquired if he wished to stay in the Ashram. The boy readily consented. Thus began a journey of eternal submission of a devoted student to his beloved teacher.

Dhruvanand ji Maharaj has lived in the Ashram since he was just 11 years of age.

Dhruvanand ji Maharaj’s admittance to the Ashram was followed by his Holy Thread ceremony and Diksha, all done under the auspices of Tarananda Brahmachari Maharaj ji. He was tutored and raised in strict discipline by his Gurudev. He learned the nitty-gritty of ashram management from him, and his Guru rigorously oversaw his spiritual education and evolution. He is also a witness to numerous spiritual marvels of Taranand ji Maharaj.

Just like the sunflower follows the sun, Dhruvanand ji Maharaj follows Gurudev like his shadow. He was always his constant companion. Today Prem Mandir stands strong with its foundation deeply rooted in values. But much of this is owed to patience, perseverance, and hard work put forth by this student-teacher duo.

Dhruvanand ji Maharaj fondly recollects that not a single mistake went unnoticed, nor did it go without punishment. But still, his penance is insignificant compared to that performed by Tarananda Brahmachari in Karanibagh Ashram. He regards himself as nothing more than just a gatekeeper ( "darowan" in Bengali ) of his late Gurudev's glorious legacy. Dhruvanand ji Maharaj is now in his 70s and is known as "Choto maharaj" in Prem mandir.

He is a reflection of Tarananda Brahmachari Maharaj in appearance and conduct. He is strict and reticent but has a smiling face shining with divine radiance.Dhruvanand ji Maharaj quotes: "I know not anyone nor have anything beyond my Guru. He is my all in all." His faith rests in Tarananda Brahmachari Maharaj ji, our loving Guru, who always watches, guides, and protects us. Nothing manifests without his will here.

He is immensely blessed; therefore, what he wills is blessed, and that manifested because of his will is blessed too.

SRIMAD NIRGUNANAND JI MAHARAJ

Designation: Secretary of Prem Mandir Ashram and Prem Mandir Janakalyan Samity Trust.

Srimad Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj maharaj's connection with Prem Mandir Ashram has been generational. His family lived close to the Ashram; his grandfather was among the few locals who had used to assist Tarananda Brahmachari Maharaj since the early days of the ashram establishment. His grandmother was a frequent visitor to Tarananda Brahmachari's mother, Shailanandani Devi. Both his parents received diksha in Prem Mandir and maintained a close tie with the Ashram.

Following his family elders' footsteps, Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj also became a regular ashram visitor since he was a toddler. Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj received his first call of service from his Gurudev, Srimad Debananda Ji Maharaj, when he was a mere boy in 6th grade. Among the many people visiting the Ashram, Debananda Ji Maharaj mainly selected him for training in the Bhagavat Geeta. Classes followed this in Sanskrit. The lessons continued over time, gradually deepening and strengthening the Guru-sishya bond.

After completing his secondary education in 1995, Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj began his life as an ashram dweller. Debananda Ji Maharaj himself is a man of letters, and he inspired Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj to pursue his academics further. He completed his Higher Secondary and graduated while still being a resident bramhachari of the Ashram.His spiritual evolution continued when he was finally, in 2009, on the auspicious day of rakhi purnima, he got initiated into the Brahmacharia sanskar. After a few years, he was appointed the secretary of Prem Mandir Ashram. He now shoulders the prestigious responsibility of the secretary to both Prem Mandir Ashram and Prem Mandir Janakalyan Samity.

Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj is a monk owning a towering personality and bounteous nature. He is well-received by people, revered by the young, and adored by his colleagues. His managerial skills are exceptional: ever busy Maharaj spends his days working unfatigued for the wellbeing of the Ashram. He makes his presence felt in many ashram activities, from maintaining accounts to preparing prasad whenever required. Besides this, he engages in planning and participating in various philanthropic schemes. He often seen represents Prem Mandir in various religious conferences and programs.

Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj is exceptionally well-versed in the Sanatana philosophy and scriptures; the eloquence of his speech mesmerizes his audiences. He also finds time for tutoring and training young enthusiasts in various puja-related topics.

Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj speaks:

Nigunananda Brahmachari Maharaj resonates with the principle of Gurubhakti in his thoughts, words, and actions. Prem Mandir is where Guru and God are considered one. Therefore, obedience to Guru is of supreme importance here.

The humble Maharaj keeps his outlook firm and very simple. He considers himself a humble follower of his Guru's will: upholding Debananda Ji Maharaj's vision and mission is the essence of his life.

SRIMAD DAYANANDA JI MAHARAJ.

Dayananda Ji Maharaj was born into a lineage where the divine mother, Siddhewari Kali, has been worshipped through several generations. His priesthood began early, soon after his Holy Thread ceremony, under the guidance of his elders.

He was born into a large, well-settled family with many siblings and relatives. However, since boyhood, his spiritual inclination was more than materialistic desires.

He was a man of religious zeal and never had the whims and wants of a teenager. Wanting to pray in undisturbed solitude, he often escaped to his ancestral Kali temple at night. Maharaj recollects spending his pocket money in the youth building a room for his sadhana.

He had secretly taken an oath of monkhood in presence of Siddheswari already.

Despite his intense spiritual intent, he was always a dutiful son to his mother and promised to care for her while she lived.

After her demise, Maharaj took to monkhood. He joined congregations and traveled across various shrines in South, central, and western India. He often visited Swastika Ashram in Sreerampur, where his fellow guru-bhai lived. There he met his future Guru Debananda Ji Maharaj. Eventually, his initiation (diksha) happened in 2011 in Prem Mandir Ashram.

He has lived in the Ashram ever since.

The privilege of the physical care of Debananda Ji Maharaj is vested in him now. Day and night, he keeps vigil by his side and barely steps out much. Other than this, he conducts the daily evening prayer service.

As his name suggests, he is always kind. He never misses warmly acknowledging and blessing every devotee/disciple/guru-bhai/shishya.

Dayababa quotes:

Spiritual advancement and prowess are gained through one's Gurudev and Ishta devata. The means to connect to them is solely through Japa. A proper mantra for meditation passed down through a lineage holds power to invoke the blessing of every venerated Guru of the lineage.

So pray ardently, and pray relentlessly.

Guru Kripaa hi kevalum!

SRIMAD TANMOYANAND JI MAHARAJ

Designation: secretary of Swastika Ashram, the rural unit of Prem Mandir Ashram.

Tanmoyanada Brahmachari grew up in a religious Bengali brahmin family.

As the saying goes: a child shows a man as the morning shows the day; Tanmoyanada Brahmachari also showed signs of spiritual inclination since childhood. He would pluck fruits and flowers from the trees and playfully worship the Gods on the river bank of his purvashram.

As a young boy, he witnessed his dear relative's death, his grandmother. Her sad demise kindled the first fire of renunciation('Vairagya'), causing him to introspect 'death' and question the truth of material existence; this led him to realize his life's mission: walking the path of a yogi.

He took his first step towards asceticism at the young age of 18. On the night of Chaitra Amavasya, he left home and embarked on his journey as a wandering monk. He traveled on foot through Damodar Valley, Mundeshwari, Kamarpukur, Vishnupur, and many other places. Facing up and downs, learning more about the sadhu community, his experience began expanding. However, before reaching his destination, his tapobhoomi, the Himalayas, and a fateful encounter with his family occurred. He was thus persuaded back home.

Tanmoyanada Brahmachari's unfazed determination could not keep him tied to the mundane world for long. He set out again and made his way to Bora Gram of Sreerampur, where he chose to settle as a sadhu and continue his practices.

He was well received there and started gathering disciples.

A temporary Ashram existed as a token of people's love and respect for him.

Like a child needs parental care for growth, a student needs a teacher for spiritual upliftment. Tanmoyanada Brahmachari also realized a need for a support system for further sustenance of his Ashram. His prayer was soon answered.

Soon after, Tanmoyanada Brahmachari met his future guide and Guru, Srimad Debananda Brahmachari of Prem Mandir Ashram, in a religious conference organization in Bora Ashram. Guru Maharaj's wisdom profoundly influenced Tanmoyanada Brahmachari to follow in his footsteps.

Eventually, Bora Ashram was taken under the wings of Prem Mandir as its rural branch and rechristened as Swastika Ashram with Jogeshwari kali mata as the presiding deity.

Tanmoyanada Brahmachari is now the secretary. Under his adept supervision, Swastika Ashram has evolved into the primary center of social welfare activities of Prem Mandir.

It now comprises a permanent Ashram building, a gau-shala, a free school, and a tailoring school for women.

It is also home to the dream project of Prem Mandir: Debanand Primary School. ( for detail, see the program section).

With great progress comes greater responsibilities. The active and self-reliant Tanmoyanada Brahmachari maharaj, now in his early 50s, singlehandedly manages the Swastika Ashram. Despite his busy schedule, he receives every guest, devotee, and disciple gracefully. He spends his spare time cultivating his poetic skill.

Tanmoyanada Brahmachari quotes: Human incarnation is very precious. The purpose of every incarnation is to find the way back to the Almighty. The simplest and the best way to do so is to be at His service. This world belongs to Him, so doing just any work with dedication and humility is equivalent to rendering divine service.

Keep working hard in the service of God. We should never be afraid that hard work might degrade the body. The body is always perishable, but the soul is everlasting. Treat the body as a vehicle to unite the soul with the Supreme being.