Gurani Anjali established many festivals and celebrations to uplift her students and help guide them toward the realization of the sacredness at the foundation of every aspect of life. Once established, these events became a warmly anticipated part of the cultural and spiritual tradition of Yoga Anand Ashram.
Guru Purnima (The Fullness of the Guru)
Guru Purnima Celebration is an auspicious day for all those walking this sacred path. Since Vedic times this important celebration takes place on the day of the Full moon. Disciples surrender and pay obeisance to their Guru, tender their respect and acknowledge the blessings of the wisdom imparted. The Guru is a guide to life and messenger of the sacred that dwells within the hearts of all. This is celebrated each year on the day of the full moon in July. This holiday is observed with fasting, offerings, and much praise. There is prasad (sweet, sanctified food), and a wonderful vegetarian meal is served.
Gurani Anjali Jayanthi
Gurani Anjali Jayanthi is the birth celebration of our beloved Gurani. The birth of the Guru is a highly regarded blessing to the Yoga practitioner and is celebrated with gratitude for the teachings, guidance and compassion that the Guru bestows on the students. At Yoga Anand Ashram, our Guru, Gurani Anjali was born on October 17th. The Birthday celebration includes much festivity and much praise. There is song, music, prasad (sweet, sanctified food), and a vegetarian meal is served in honor of the Guru.
Deva-Devi Ratri
Once a year in December a day is designated to acknowledge, honor and celebrate the sacred totality of life. The Deva-Devi-Ratri celebration includes the heartfelt praise and worship of the divine nature of this sacred life, the totality of which is comprised of both all that is seen and all that is unseen. This gathering is marked by song, readings of sacred writings, pravachana (spiritual discourse) and much praise. There is prasad (sweet, sanctified food), and a vegetarian meal.
Four Seasonal Festivals
Four times a year, at the beginning of each season, yoga practitioners, members, friends and enthusiasts gathered together in the Ashram to celebrate the new season. The aim of this celebration is to bring about an awareness and appreciation of each of the four seasons as a manifestation of change and transformation, which is essential for the continuity of life and a catalyst to the embodied realization of the changeless, sacred ground of existence. These celebrations take the form of expressions of praise through song, poetry and chant and the declaration of perspectives and insights through talks, messages and mediations. The activities culminate in various festivities including the sharing of food in the spirit of community (sanga) and camaraderie.
New Year’s Eve ~ Midnight Vigil
Every year Yoga Anand Ashram celebrated the coming of the New Year. This is an occasion in which the sacred and traditional aspects of the holiday are discussed and shared by all.
The program offered each dharmin (aspirant) a time to reflect on the past year, sing, listen to an inspiring message and join in mediations. Thus, the new year was brought in with total peace and harmony.
All were welcome to usher in the New Year in the Yogic way. Refreshment were served.
Evening of Sacred Songs & Music
Evening of Sacred Songs Concerts were a celebration of the sacredness of life through devotional songs and music. The concerts consisted of chanting, singing and instrumental music, Many of the songs performed were written by Gurani Anjali. The program also includes Vedic hymns, traditional devotional song (bhajans), or chants from Yogic and Indian spiritual traditions.
“To the seeker of truth much repetition is necessary.
Much.
Repeating the sacred mantras,
repeating the sacred songs,
repeating the reading of sacred texts.”–Gurani Anjali
Children’s Day
A festive occasion held once a year in December was a party held in honor of children. The celebration included storytelling, puppetry, music, skits, games, refreshments and a gift for each child. Children’s Day festivities took place at Yoga Anand Ashram and all children ages 3-11 were invited to attend. Admission was free.