Ayodhya – Ram Katha Camp (Dec 2024)

By the benevolent grace of Lord Jagadeeswara, the innumerable sacrifices of our ancestors, and the strong resolve of today’s India, the sacred pilgrimage of Ayodhya was revitalized in January 2024, and finally became home to the Chinmaya Mission’s first-ever 9-day Ram Katha Camp, held at the Janmabhoomi of Bhagavan Shri Ram Lalla from 2nd Dec till 12th Dec, 2024.

With the blessings of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Mukhya Swami Swaroopananda, and the entire Guru Parampara, Chinmaya Mission South Africa is humbled and fortunate to have provided this scintillating spiritual experience to 250+ attendees from dozens of cities across India, USA, UAE, UK, South Africa, Australia, and Singapore, as well as our 1000s of online listeners from across the globe.

Unravelling the nectarine words of Goswami Tulsidas at this grand camp was Pujya Swami Abhedananda (In-charge, Chinmaya Mission South Africa), who brought the Ramcharitmanas to life in the hearts of listeners, completing the text over the 9-day-long anushthāna. Through his evocative explanations, innovative examples, references across the many Ramayanas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and more, Swami Abhedananda sparked the flame of seekerhood in all devotees, bringing them smiles, tears, laughs, and moments of deep devotion, in remembrance of the Divine.

The camp was graced by 5 Brahmacharins of the Mission who came from centres across North India. Satsangs were also attended by various sannyasis and priests of Ayodhya! Sumptuous meals were served thrice a day as Prasad for all campers. Journalists from various spiritual channels in Ayodhya and beyond visited Swamiji, seeking thought-provoking answers to pertinent questions. Insightful pointers from the sessions and highlights of celebrations were covered everyday in Dainik Bhaskar’s Uttar Pradesh newspapers.

The Janma Utsav of Lord Rama was celebrated with grand festivity and an intense feeling of gratitude for being able to celebrate Shri Rama’s birth at His very birthplace, after centuries! The Sita Ram Vivah during the Katha was celestially blessed as it fell on 6th Dec, which was the auspicious tithi of Vivāha-pañchami, the day when Mother Sita and Shri Rama were married in Janakpuri. The concluding day of the camp and celebration of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya also coincided with the sacred occasions of Gita Jayanti and Tapovan Jayanti. Campers rejoiced to welcome Lord Rama upon the throne of their hearts, marking an unforgettable Deepavali celebration in Ayodhya!

Chinmaya Mission South Africa invokes the grace of Bhagavan Rama upon all our campers and online listeners, and seeks the blessings of Pujya Gurudev and our Guru Parampara to be ever in service of God, spreading His glory far and wide.

Categories: Spiritual Diet Plan