Siddhashram in Harrow echoes with 108 Hanuman Chalisa chants
By Mahesh LiloriyaAug 04, 2025
The International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow was enveloped in spiritual fervour on Saturday, 2 August 2025, as devotees gathered for an intense and uplifting day of worship. The highlight was the collective chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa 108 times, led by His Holiness Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The serene yet charged atmosphere witnessed devotees immersing themselves in this sacred recitation, aimed at invoking Lord Hanuman’s blessings and channelling divine energy for peace and strength. HH Guruji spoke about the importance of such practices in daily life, calling Hanuman Chalisa a bridge between the soul and the divine, especially when recited with intention and focus.
The spiritual momentum continued with a special satsang on “Ghar Ghar Ram, Har Ghar Ramayan”, delivered by Swami Mahendra Das Ji Maharaj of Ayodhya Dham, joined by Sant Jentiram Bapa from Jamnagar. Swami Ji praised Guruji as a guiding light of Sanatan Dharma abroad and beautifully explained the divine relationship between Lord Ram and Hanuman Ji, reminding all that true devotion lies in humility and unconditional love.
Cllr Krishna Suresh, Cllr Sasi Suresh, and Cllr Parveen Rani attended the event, along with devotees from across the UK and India.
The day concluded with aarti and the distribution of sacred Tulsi Malas, specially energised and brought from Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, by Swami Mahendra Das Ji—offered as a spiritual blessing to all present.
Siddhashram in London witnessed a profound spiritual surge as hundreds of devotees marked the first Monday of Shravan, which is the sacred month dedicated to Lord Shiva, with unwavering faith and devotion.
The temple gates opened at 6:00 am, and from dawn till dusk, streams of worshippers offered jal abhishek, prayers, and silent meditation. The evening’s Bhajan Sandhya emerged as the day's spiritual pinnacle, led by His Holiness Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, accompanied by Saint Jentiram Bapa from Jamnagar, India. The resonant chants of Om Namah Shivay and traditional bhajans enveloped the temple, creating a divine ambience.
In his address, Guruji reflected on the inner meaning of Shravan, urging devotees to view rituals as doorways to introspection and spiritual elevation.
“Temples bring us closer not just to God, but to ourselves. Bhajans and mantras cleanse the mind and awaken the soul,” he said.
Guruji spoke about the Samudra Manthan legend, where Lord Shiva consumed poison to save the cosmos, becoming Neelkanth. “Offering milk and water is symbolic,” he explained. “Milk represents the moon, while water signifies the sacred Ganga flowing from Shiva’s locks, both gestures of love and reverence.”
He also traced the origin of Shravan to the Shravana Nakshatra, associated with Lord Vishnu and the act of divine listening. The month, he added, is ideal for chanting, satsang, and spiritual practices.
Concluding the evening, Guruji left devotees with a simple but profound message:
“True peace lies in selfless service. When we serve others with love, we serve God Himself.”
Upcoming Events at Siddhashram:
To continue the spiritual fervour of Shravan, Siddhashram has planned a series of devotional events:
Saturday, 2 August: 108 Hanuman Chalisa Path (from 10 AM), followed by a satsang by Swami Mahendra Das Ji Maharaj (Ayodhya Dham – Ghar Ghar Ram, Har Ghar Ramayan).
Monday, 4 August: Shravan Bhajan Sandhya with Guruji.
Thursday, 15 August: Flag Hoisting Ceremony to celebrate Indian Independence Day.
15–17 August: Shivyog Workshop with Ishan Shivanand at Harrow Leisure Centre.
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The Shree Hanuman Temple in Leicester is marking the sacred Hindu month of Shravan with a week-long celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva, running from 25th to 31st July.
A major highlight is the visit of His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shri Rakeshprasadji Maharaj from South Gujarat, India. On Saturday 26th July, he will lead a special recital and bless the formal inauguration of the temple’s newly built main entrance and foyer. The blessing ceremony begins at 9.30am, ahead of the main service at 10am.
Temple secretary Rajesh Patel said, “The daily recital allows devotees to immerse themselves in the divine energy of Shravan. We are honoured by the presence of His Holiness during this sacred time.”
The newly constructed entrance is seen as a symbolic gateway for spiritual reflection and community connection.
Open to all, the event invites members of the community to participate in prayers, receive blessings, and celebrate the auspicious month together.
For more information, contact the temple on 0116 266 5717, email info@salangpurdhamleicester.org.uk, or follow @salangpurdhamleicester on social media.
Event Highlights:
Daily Shravan recital: 25–31 July
Visit of His Holiness: 25 July
Blessing of new entrance: 26 July, 9.30am
The Shree Hanuman Temple was inaugurated in 2021, fulfilling a decades-long dream of local devotees inspired by the original Salangpur temple in Gujarat, India.
Pujya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Ji, better known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, visited the Siddhashram Community Hub at Harrow on 22 July 2025. He was warmly welcomed by His Holiness Rajrajeshwar Guruji, the founder of Siddhashram UK, along with a distinguished gathering of saints, interfaith leaders, philanthropists, and devotees from across the country.
Addressing the assembly, Bageshwar Sarkar recalled HH Guruji’s decades of tireless efforts to uphold and promote Sanatan Dharma in the United Kingdom.
“Back in the 1990s, when very few were carrying the flame of Sanatan Dharma on foreign soil, Guruji was already nurturing Indian culture and values in this land. Saints bring not just words, but the fragrance of morality, compassion, and tradition wherever they go,” he said.
Describing his bond with HH Guruji, he added, “He is like a deep-sea diver, bringing rare pearls from the ocean of spiritual wisdom. He invites saints from India to the UK, some like me. Though we are two bodies, we share the same soul.”
Calling the Siddhashram Community Hub a centre of spiritual service, he said it would not only uphold Indian traditions but also serve humanity at large.
Grand Satsang at Wembley Arena Announced for 2026
HH Rajrajeshwar Guruji, addressing the gathering, described Bageshwar Sarkar as a saint with remarkable spiritual clarity and reach.
“He is a guiding force for millions, especially the youth. Siddhashram is honoured by his presence. We are proud to announce that a large-scale Satsang with him will be organised by Siddhashram next year at Wembley Arena, uniting devotees across the UK and Europe,” Guruji said.
Traditional welcome and devotional spirit
The programme began with traditional Indian rituals. Samjibhai Patel honoured Bageshwar Sarkar with Tilak, Garland, and a Shawl, followed by Krishnaben Pujara who also presented a shawl. A touching moment came when Hemani Dave tied a sacred Rakhi to the visiting saint, symbolising sisterly affection. A special mention was also made of Mr. Manoj Tyagi, CEO of Sanskar TV, who was recognised for his pivotal role in promoting dharmic culture.
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The visit by Dr Yadav marks the latest in a series of high-profile delegations to the Mandir since its inauguration
On 13 July 2025, Dr Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi as part of the Guru Purnima celebrations.
He was received by Swami Brahmaviharidas, Head of the Mandir, who provided an overview of the Mandir’s history, architecture and purpose. The visit took place during a significant spiritual period for the BAPS community, with devotees from around the world gathering to honour their spiritual guide.
During his tour, Dr Yadav explored an exhibition highlighting the role and significance of a true Guru. According to organisers, he expressed appreciation for the values presented and reflected on the importance of selfless service to society.
The Chief Minister offered prayers at the Mandir’s shrines and was particularly moved by the presence of sacred soil from Jabalpur – the birthplace of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader and creator of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.
Commenting on the experience, Dr Yadav described the Mandir as a global symbol of spiritual harmony, cultural unity and timeless values.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir, which opened earlier this year, has been noted for its intricate design and its role in promoting interfaith dialogue and cultural understanding in the UAE. The visit by Dr Yadav marks the latest in a series of high-profile delegations to the Mandir since its inauguration.
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Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel
My friend and colleague, the American historian Peter Heehs, who has lived in Pondicherry, India, for decades, recently published a compelling new biography, The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Collaborator (2025). Heehs previously authored The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008), which remains one of the most balanced and scholarly accounts of Aurobindo’s life.
According to Heehs, most previous biographies of the Mother were written for devotees and relied on secondary sources, often presenting her as a divine incarnation without critical engagement. “Such biographies are fine for those who see the Mother as a divine being,” Heehs said, “but they can be off-putting for readers who simply want to understand her life – as an artist, writer, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Ashram and Auroville.”
Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel, along with digital collections of historical newspapers and journals. He examined all of her published works in both French and English, even uncovering essays written under a pseudonym that had not been seen since 1905. He traces her early life within the vibrant world of Belle Époque Paris (1871–1914), where she moved in artistic and esoteric circles.
Heehs describes two principal approaches to biographyAMG
Born in 1878 into a moderately wealthy Sephardic Jewish family – her father was Turkish-Egyptian, her mother Egyptian-Jewish – Mirra Alfassa grew up in an intellectually rich and cosmopolitan environment. Tutored at home, she later studied painting at the prestigious Académie Julian and exhibited at the Paris Salon. Her first husband, Henri Morisset, was a painter of the Intimist school, more traditional than contemporaries like Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. Though he never gained their level of fame, he moved in similar artistic circles, and Mirra herself knew and associated with figures like Auguste Rodin.
At the same time, she was deeply engaged in the French occult revival, serving as managing editor of the Revue Cosmique, an esoteric journal. Her spiritual journey intensified when she encountered the Bhagavad Gita under the guidance of Indian lecturer G N Chakravarty and later engaged with eastern spiritual teachers such as Inayat Khan and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
In 1910, her second husband, Paul Richard, travelled to Pondicherry and met Sri Aurobindo. In 1914, Mirra joined him in India, and together with Aurobindo, they launched the monthly review Arya, which published most of Aurobindo’s major writings. The First World War forced their return to France, followed by a sojourn in Japan. They returned to Pondicherry in 1920, after which Paul Richard departed. Mirra remained and became Aurobindo’s closest spiritual collaborator.
Heehs describes two principal approaches to biography. The first – the contingent approach – follows the subject’s life chronologically, attending closely to verifiable facts. The second – the teleological approach – interprets the subject’s life as an inevitable progression towards a destined goal. “I took the contingent approach when dealing with the Mother’s early life,” Heehs explained, “and continued to do so even after Sri Aurobindo declared her to be an incarnation of the divine Shakti. As a historian, my role is not to make theological pronouncements but to present the facts of her outer and inner life, insofar as she spoke about them.”
When asked about the Mother’s lasting contributions, Heehs emphasised: “She established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded its school – the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education – and launched the international utopian city of Auroville. At the same time, she oversaw both the inner and outer lives of the ashram’s members.”
Aurobindo Ackroyd Ghosh – the polymath Indian philosopher, freedom fighter and revolutionary yogi – was educated in England at St Paul’s School and King’s College, Cambridge, where he was trained in the Classics. Long before the term “Asian century” became popular, Aurobindo had already envisioned Asia’s re-emergence on the world stage. Today, countless volumes have been written about his extraordinary life and complex philosophical legacy.
Although it may sound like a modern geopolitical thesis, Aurobindo proclaimed in 1918: “Asia is once more rising; she is throwing off the torpor of centuries. She is recovering the pride of her past and the faith in her future... It is through the recovery of the deeper self of Asia that the world will find its balance.”
His collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, widely known as the Mother, dedicated her life to actualising this prophetic vision.