By grace of god I was blessed to take part in ‘Navratri Anushthan’ of Rikhia Dham (tapasthali of Swami Satyananda). From the day one there was an air of festivity all-around the place.  The advent of many devotees added a real celebrative mood to the place. People had come from far and near places eg. a devotee told me that she came from Gauhati (Assam) with family that consisted of 2 small children aged 6 and 2 year old. While other devotees were from Bhagalpur, Patna and Dhanbad.  The day started with yoga class at 5 am in which we were taught Pawanmukta asna-I, the very first day and the Pranayama nodishodan. After a light breakfast, it was time for Karam yog or Seva. And Ramayan Path started at 8 am. Ramanyan Path was for 2 hours. The best and most amazing part was that Kanyas of Rikhia were doing all the path and they were given the respect of Devi. Kanyas and Batuksconducted the stage very efficiently right from English/Hindi announcements, distribution of Ramayan books and collecting them back. And I was really deeply impressed by their courteous behaviour, sense of responsibility and punctuality. Kanyas sang devotional kirtans and all Sanskrit stotras with ease and fluency. These melodious kirtans set our heart joyful and mind became absolutely tranquil. Many times I felt like standing and dancing with Kanyas and Batuks but had to restrain myself due to discipline and space. It was a beautiful sight watching them dressed in beautiful dresses daily. An atmosphere of wedding was there without the presence of bride and groom. Kanyas and Batuks could be seen anywhere and everywhere and their grace, dignity and innocence added a unique divine touch of living gods and goddesses.

On the 3rd day, there was Sita-Ram Vivah (wedding). It was celebrated in the Path by playing Conch (Shank) & flowers were sprinkled along with pious puja water over all the devotees sitting in Yagyashala. Yagyashala also was decorated beautifully with different decorations. Inspite of all these decorations the place had a look of simplicity and divinity which is impossible to describe. The divinity of the place could only be felt, I am at a loss of words to put it on paper.

Everyday more and more people joined in this celebration, increasing the joy, though kitchen and other organizing work increased. And as more people came, they joined the Karamyoga with great zeal. Hence the additional people coming became helpers rather than nuisance or burden. The kitchen was efficiently handled by Swami Chandramouli with his team and a lot of Karamyogis. The food was served in traditional Indian style on donas and pattals made up of leaves and sticks. And it was served with so much love and affection that the age old Indian tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’ (Guest is God) needed no preaching, it was being practiced. Every one enjoyed the meal like a big family,chatting and laughing. Many times I wondered inside that there was no worry or tension here. And what is the binding force? Ofcourse I realized ‘It was the love and affection of Swami Satsangi, who just like a mother was taking care of each and every devotee.’

Daily our inner being was loaded overfull by divinity. Yognidra, in the afternoon relaxed everyone deeply. Satsang with Swami Satsangi and Swami Niranjanananda added a very special touch to the Anushthan. We all had so much to discuss and exchange after the satsang. The days were packed with a lot of activity, divinity and knowledge. Though we were all very tired by the end of the day, we were deeply relaxed and extremely happy.

The last day of Navratri i.e. ‘Ram Navami’ arrived, with a lot of excitement and expectation. As the air was filled with the scent of Sri Swamiji’s (Swami Satyanand) Darshan. Everyone looked forward to have a glimpse of ‘Sri Swamiji’. And I realized deep inside; was Swamiji’s darshan on Ram Navami not related to Rama’s birth? Isn’t Sri Swamiji a God’s incarnation? So much love , devotion, Sri Swamiji receives from his devotees! And my mind ran back to recollect Sri Swamiji’s declaration of being an emperor, who had won hearts of his disciples by the strongest weapon of love. And I felt deeply blessed by the gentle showers of Sri Swamiji’s love and affection, which quenched my innermost thirst. And the prize distribution to Kanyas and Batuks by Swami Niranjan added a unique touch to the whole celebration. And the dance of Swami Satsangi, Swami Niranjan and Sri Swamiji with Kanyas and Batuks was a sight, every devotee carried in his heart. Such simplicity! Such innocence!

Prasadam was served first to Kanyas and Batuks and their parents. It was a grand feast and each and every thing was prepared by ashram itself.            ‘Sri Swamiji’ sat along with Kanyas and Batuks to have Prasadam in pattal and dona. It was a dream come true for people serving in the kitchen. After that Swami Niranjan and Swami Satsangi distributed special Prasad in the form of dress, soap, towel and eatables to Kanyas and Batuks. Both of them also had Prasad with them in pandal. And I wondered! Was it not divine eating with divine! Where else do you see such love, affection and simplicity?

When I reached Rikhia; a small village in Jharkhand on 7th December, the whole place was swarming with disciples of Sri Swami Ji. The disciples were both from India and other countries or you can say that they were from all over the world. I came across disciples of 7 countries on 8th December. The number kept on increasing daily. Many times they were object of our envy because of little privileges given to them e.g. free entry & exit from both the gates; where as we were allowed only at restricted timings. But they were proportionately lesser than our huge crowd.
    Deep inside I always wondered, how could they cope with our language lest alone dance frenziedly on the kirtans sung by the Kanyas. When I went to Rikhia in March; I met a lot of foreigner inmates who had learnt Devnagri Script (Hindi) quite perfectly. I developed a deep respect for Sri Swami Ji; whose influence could make these people devote their lives so staunchly to India & Hindi.
    This year Sri Swami Ji praised them highly & said that they were very intelligent. They are rich. They can benefit India & are also doing so. Many of them had donated dresses to 2000 Kanyas & Batuks of Rikhia Peeth. I had more proof of Sri Swami Ji’s statement on last day of Rajsuya Yajna culmination; when I happened to sit amongst them, right in front of sri Swami Ji. None of them could understand his words, as he was speaking in Hindi. Since they are not used to sit on the floor; many were struggling hard to sit; shifting the posture in between. Even then they were sitting quietly with rapt attention & trying to absorb the strong positive vibrations of Sri Swami Ji. When I gave them English translation of his speech; many started reading & asking for more. A few of them gave me their email ids; so that I could send them his satsangs.
    I also came across a booklet published by Australians in English; which contained some stotras of Durga Saptashati. In it was written that you have to be very much aware & alert to read these stotras during the path with the pandits. If you are not alert; you might miss them! Paramhamsa Swami Niranjananda Saraswati has given a lot of importance to the vibration aspect of these stotras & mantras. Hence, with full faith, they all stayed tuned in.
    The Karamyoga i.e. selfless service given to them was cleaning the toilets & pouring water for washing hands after meals. Many of them were standing right in front of toilets the whole day! They all performed the Karamyoga without a trace of malice on their faces. I was astonished & amazed at their dedication & devotion! After coming to our country; eating our type of food with hands on pattal & dona; sitting on floor with great difficulty; they could be seen every where & any where in the pandal! I bow to them for their patience, intelligence & faith!