Gurudeva Swami Rama’s Birth Centenary year was dedicated to the Guru-force by way of facilitating, organising, and conducting various special retreats at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram and worldwide. Each member of our global spiritual family took part in these events planned throughout this year where we shared our stories, learnings, experiences and most importantly how our lives have been transformed through the teachings of the Himalayan Tradition.

Mantra and Purashcharana Retreat: 9 Feb – 1 Mar, 2025

In commemoration of the centennial of Gurudeva Swami Rama’s birth, a Mantra and Purashcharana Retreat convened over 60 initiates from 13 nations for 21 days. During the retreat, a purashcharana of 125,000 guru mantras was offered by each initiate individually, dedicated in the spirit of Guru prityartham—for the pleasure of the Guru.

Throughout the retreat, initiates received personal guidance from Swami Ritavan Bharati, Raghavendra Adiga ji, Yoong ji, and Rabindra ji to deepen their understanding of their mantra practice.

Culminating this immense offering of millions of mantras from all the devoted hearts, we felt immersed in love and gratitude for the Guru Lineage and offered flowers at the altar in the Swami Rama Hall, remembering the truth that the Guru is the boat that carries us across the ocean of creation.

AHYMSIN New Sangha Mantra Practice for the year 2025-26: Akhanda-mandalakaram Mantra

Swami Ritavan Bharati, AHYMSIN’s Spiritual Guide, invited all initiates and students of the Himalayan Tradition to include the akhanda-mandalakaram mantra into their practices, in loving remembrance and homage to our dear Gurudeva Swami Rama. In his New Year letter to the AHYMSIN Sangha, Swami Ritavan announced that we will celebrate 2025 as the Centennial Year of our beloved Gurudeva, H.H. Swami Rama of the Himalayas.

अखण्ड-मण्डलाकारम् व्याप्तम् येन चराचरम्।
तत्पदम् दर्शितम् येन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥

akhaṇḍa-maṇḍalākāram vyāptam yena carācaram
tat padam darśitam yena, tasmai śrī gurave namah

I pay obeisances to Sri Guru, who revealed to me That state, which pervades the entire unbroken circle (of creation), both moving and unmoving.

As a heartfelt tribute to our Gurudeva on His 100th Birth Anniversary, sangha members were lovingly invited to recite the akhanda-mandalakaram mantra silently in their hearts as a prayer or, if possible, offer one or more malas of the mantra. This practice was in addition to each initiate’s ongoing japa and meditation practices with their personal initiation mantra.

As a united Sangha, all initiates and students of the Himalayan Tradition collectively engaged in the practice of the akhanda-mandalakaram mantra for the whole year, leading up to the AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering in March 2026.

25-Days Immersion into the Shri Lalita Sahasranaam: 13 Mar- 6 Apr, 2025

The Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation is the tradition of the Divine Feminine. At our Maa Tara Temple, we chant the thousand names of the Divine Mother, Shri Lalita Sahasranaam every day. During special events such as the Navaratri (nine days and nights dedicated to the Mother Divine), we chant the Shri Lalita Sahasranaam non-stop for 24 hours throughout the 9 days.

The holy anushthan (undertaking) of 25-day immersion into the sacred Shri Lalita Sahasranaam, the thousand names of the Divine Mother was an excuse, more than an opportunity, to further strengthen our relationship with the Mother. For 25 days, we gathered at the yajnashala, our hearts overflowing with devotion, to offer havana (fire offerings) with the sacred 1000 names of Maa Lalita everyday. The ashram was then resonating with divine vibrations, each ‘Svaha’ an offering of our love, a blossoming of our hearts at the Mother’s feet.

The retreat commenced on the auspicious occasion of Holika Dahan, a festival that celebrates the triumph of purity over darkness, a radiant celebration of positivity, renewal and joy. As is the tradition in the ashram, the retreat began with prayers and pujas of Maa Tara, Lord Sadhakeshwara, and the Guru lineage, seeking their grace as we set forth on this sacred inward journey dedicated at the feet of Gurudeva Swami Rama in honour of his birth centenary.

The mornings and evenings sessions were dedicated to exploring the profound meanings of each of Maa Lalita’s names, guided by the insightful teachings of Rabindra Sahu. He lovingly unveiled the depths of each of the 1000 names, unveiling the Mother’s roopa and swaroopa (her appearance, her vision, her nature), allowing us to ‘feel’ her presence in every facet of our existence.

We felt as if we were in the womb of Divine Mother, embraced by her love, finding refuge in her sacred names, warmed by the sanctified yajna fire. Each name, a radiant reminder of her brilliance, beauty, and light. As the retreat concluded, a serene stillness enveloped us, and we prayed to merge in her divine glory.

84- Days Intensive Sadhana Retreat within the Himalayan Tradition: 10 Jul – 1 Oct, 2025

With heartfelt and eternal gratitude towards Gurudeva Swami Rama for having shown us the path of the Himalayan Masters, on the most blessed occasion of His birth centennial celebration, this year a special 3-month program was offered at the ashram for the first time—84-day Intensive Sadhana Retreat, guided by Rabindra Sahu. The program commenced on the auspicious day of the Guru Purnima on 10th July 2025. What more auspicious day could there be to begin such a journey than on Guru Purnima itself.

We received 13 dedicated participants from all age groups, from many religions, from eight different countries, including Australia, Ecuador, Hungary, India, Italy, Norway, UK, and USA. There were beginners and long-term initiates in this group. While coming from such diverse life experiences, they all had one thing common—an intense longing for self-purification and self-transformation.

This retreat was a heartfelt offering, a small effort to honour the timeless teachings of the Himalayan Tradition and to share these sacred teachings with all who seek them.

Throughout their lives, Gurudeva Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati both worked to serve those in need and alleviate their suffering. Following their footsteps, we continue our charitable efforts towards the larger benefit of humanity and in line with our mission. In 2025, we had several projects, including Sadhu Seva in Gangotri, sending disaster relief assistance during the Uttarkashi floods, offering free yoga classes in schools for underprivileged children, supporting educational efforts in underfunded rural schools, supporting Sanskrit education, distributing freely yoga meditation books by Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati in yoga universities, offering social and medical welfare for the most vulnerable and with extraordinary circumstances, providing support to gaushalas that work towards caring for rescued cattle, organising blood donation camp, etc.

Dr Swati Saharan, Operations Manager, Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama, shared a report on all the charitable initiatives undertaken by SRSG during 2025. If you would like to read the full report, you may do so here – SRSG Charity Initiatives at a Glance – 2025.

We vow to continue these efforts in the coming years in serving the larger society.

As we walk this path of self-purification together, our hearts are filled with gratitude, and we constantly seek the loving guidance and blessings from our revered Guru Lineage. We pray to the Sages of the Himalayan Tradition to continue to bless us with their boundless love and light.

In loving service,

Divya, AHYMSIN Office