Seva Utsav & Annadaanam Seva 2025: Part II
To feed a hungry mouth is equal to 10 days of Tapasya. – Sri M
With the arrival of the much-anticipated Founder’s Day, over 50 sevas were offered across 9 Indian states and overseas from dawn to dusk, commemorating Sri M’s birthday by revering the singular seva that is closest to his heart—Annadaanam Seva.
Andhra Pradesh
Madanapalle
The day began at the Madanapalle Ashram with an unmistakable aura of joy and devotion with the morning arati at the Adinath Sri Guru Babaji Temple. As the temple rang with chants and prayers, devotees gathered in reverence and gratitude for Sri M’s divine presence in our lives. The Madhu Ki Rasoi team began its preparations for a grand annadaanam seva for the children and staff of The Satsang Vidyalaya, the staff of Swaasthya Hospitals and The Satsang Foundation, and local residents.
Mrs. Sunanda Ali led a graceful function at The Satsang Vidyalaya and planted a jackfruit sapling near the school premises, symbolizing the significance of the jackfruit tree in Sri M’s childhood meeting with his guru Sri Maheshwarnath Babaji. In a touching gesture of gratitude, sarees and dhotis were presented to the devoted staff of the Hospital, the School, and the Foundation — tokens of appreciation for their tireless and selfless service to the community.
The children of The Satsang Vidyalaya paid tribute to their beloved founder and mentor with a special cultural program and the creation of a little garden of flowering and fruiting trees.
Celebrations at the Swaasthya Hospitals were clearly pivoted on providing quality healthcare at no cost to the local populace. Health camps in Neurology and Gynaecology ensured expert care to patients. A presentation on Mother and Child Care for hospital personnel and a health screening camp and annadaanam seva at a Velugu Home for the Aged and differently-abled children concluded a day dedicated to community service.
The ArogyaM team augmented the healthcare services with a day-long Ayurveda camp in the town, providing consultations and medicines at no cost. Volunteers from the Bharat Yogavidya Kendra (BYK), an initiative of The Satsang Foundation, conducted vibrant yoga sessions at the camp venue, completing the circle of holistic wellbeing of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Healthcare.
At the Satsang Skill Development Centre (SSDC), a lively program displayed the talents of the new batch of students who are honing their skills and carving out a vibrant career path.
As dusk settled, the Temple once again became the center of devotion. The evening arati drew a large gathering of devotees, followed by another round of annadaanam seva organized by the Adinath Sri Guru Babaji Temple Trust. The air was filled with the sound of bhajans and devotional music offering a divine conclusion to a day steeped in service, gratitude, and love for our revered Guru.
Kerala
Nooranad
The community outreach initiative at Noornad began with a by placing the new shirts at the Sri Guru Babaji Temple in Nooranad as a sacred blessing. About 250 children from marginalized communities studying at four government schools in the region received these new shirts with shy excitement—some clutching it close, some proudly displaying them to their friends, and others whispering a soft thank you.
Kannur
The Anganwadi Kindergarten School erupted with the innocent laughter of tiny tots as they opened up their goody bags filled with school stationery, biscuits, and refreshments: a humble offering of love and a reminder that even the smallest gestures can make a child’s day brighter.
Aluva
A heartfelt seva was offered at CCB Prayer House, supporting visually-challenged women with essential clothing and toiletries. Volunteers also joined hands with the residents to plant a tree on the premises of their home and served a traditional sadhya adding a festive touch to their daily routine. Their warmth, resilience, and gentle presence turned the day into a deeply moving experience.
Tamil Nadu
Chennai
Marking the day with compassion for women of all ages struggling with mental health challenges, volunteers reached out to 170 residents at The Banyan, a pioneering NGO in Adyar, offering celebratory meals for breakfast and dinner.
Chengalpet
Breakfast seva was also extended to all the elderly women sheltered at Udhavum Ullangal, a home that helps seniors to live their golden years with dignity and comfort.
Coimbatore
The elderly women at Eera Nenjam Old Age Home also enjoyed the occasion of a sumptuous meal in the comforting presence of volunteers who have been associated with this shelter home for the past four years, providing essential medicines, cooked meals, and spending time with them.
Thoothukudi
Volunteers offered a special annadaanam seva to the residents of Alex Kailasam Old Age Home, a haven which assures food, medical care, and dignity to seniors.
Tirupur
Over 160 seniors and abandoned elders continued to be supported with cooked meals at six shelter homes across the city: Siva Sharmila home in Thirumurugan Poondi; Universal Peace Foundation in Periyar Colony, Sulthanpet, and Angeripalyam; Mahatma Karunai Ilam; and Annaiyor Muthiyor Illam in Perumanallur.
Trichy
In continuation of honoring Sri M on his birthday, our volunteer, a member of the royal family of Trichy, served a traditional meal to 101 people near the palace premises.
Karnataka
Bengaluru
Volunteers came together to bring smiles to the youngsters and elderly residents of Vallabh Niketan Ashram and the young girls sheltered at Namma Mane. Associated with both homes for over 7 years, interactions with the residents are replete with a warm bonhomie and cheer. Snack boxes sourced from The Spastic Society of India were offered to the residents, lighting up the homes with unalloyed joy. The elderly residents, many with stories of resilience and grace, expressed their gratitude with tears of warmth and softly whispered blessings.
Dharwad
The seniors residing at Banashankari Vaanaprasthashram spent tranquil moments as volunteers narrated Sri M’s journey and regaled them with bhajans. A couple of the residents also drew everyone into a nostalgic session, presenting renditions of old classics. Sweets and dry ration supplies were offered to support the nutritional needs of the residents.
Maharashtra
Mumbai
A wave of annadaanam sevas swept through Mumbai in various locations, offering moments of rest, reassurance, and reverence to patients and their care givers, daily wage workers, migrant workers, construction workers, school children, local residents, and passersby.
Starting with Byculla, volunteers continued to share the Joy of Giving and collective service, assuaging hunger at noon with a simple yet comforting meal of dal khichadi and jalebis to celebrate the special occasion.
At Dadar East, volunteers offered fresh fruits to the caregivers and family members of cancer patients staying at the Sant Gadge Maharaj Trust, helping to provide a nutritious boost to their daily diet.
The weekly Guruvaar Annadaanam Seva of vada pav and tea was supplemented with laddus and bananas at Lokhandwala, Nalasopara, and Babulnath. The simple additions brought an unmistakable festive energy and warmth.
A cozy street corner near the Sai Dham Mandir in Malad East transformed into a divine anna kshetra as a team of six volunteers came together to offer a hearty meal to over 100 brethren.
Yet another offering of vada pav and sweet laddus was made during the weekly annadaanam seva to workers at a construction site at Hiranandani Estate, Thane. Volunteers expressed their loving wishes to Sri M with an impromptu rendition of the birthday song as they lovingly served our city builders.
The TMC Garden at Thane proved to be the perfect locale for a Nature Trail, gathering together budding environmental stewards and their parents, immersing them in the bounties of Nature: identifying trees; understanding seed dispersal; planting two trees; and learning about lakes. Participants also experienced tree hugging and learned about the Shinrin-yoku technique, connecting deeply with nature and being mindful.
Nagpur
Volunteers extended their monthly annadaanam seva at the Super Speciality Hospital and Government Medical College Hospital, bringing much-needed succor and nourishment to over 700 patients and their caregivers with a full meal, refreshing buttermilk and sweet gulab jamuns.
Pune
The celebrations began with a series of annadaanam sevas at shelter homes for women and differently-abled children. Breakfast was offered at the Mahila Seva Ashram, an institution dedicated to the care, support, and empowerment of women in need. The warm smiles and gratitude of the women filled the Ashram with a sense of togetherness and serenity.
Dry rations supplies and lunch were offered to the differently-abled children sheltered at ANIKET Sevabhavi Sanstha. Associated with this home for over four years, the volunteers beamed with pride as they witnessed the progress of their dear friends. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, and the simple happiness of sharing a meal together.
Chattisgarh
Bhilai
The annadaanam seva at Feel Parmartham Rehabilitation Shelter for senior citizens was prepared mindfully considering that most of them are recovering from deprivation and illnesses. Gentle interactions with the residents created a warm ambience for all.
Odisha
Cuttack
Jasoda Sadan, a shelter home for young children, resounded with prayers as the special annadaanam seva began. The children were simply thrilled to partake of the festive meal in the company of their camarades.
Uttar Pradesh
Mathura-Vrindavan
Madhu Ki Rasoi, the community kitchen of The Satsang Foundation, located in the heart of the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements in honor of Sri M and the Gurus. Young batuks (Vedic scholars) and a group of 20 visually-challenged men, called Surdas after the 16th century, visually-challenged devotional singer, were lovingly served a festive meal prepared with devotion. The daily meal service continued in the evening, reaching out to 300 people at various spots in the twin cities.
Delhi-NCR
Volunteers from Delhi-NCR gathered at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, offering prayers at the shrine of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa for Sri M’s wellbeing. Chanting the Guru Stuti, the team set out towards the rickshaw stand near the Ashram and offered sweet laddus as prasadam to rickshaw drivers, daily wage workers, and passersby. Dry rations, fresh vegetables, and condiments supplied by the volunteers a day prior were used to prepare the daily afternoon meal and served to 500 people at the Ashram gates.
The celebration culminated in the evening at Ramayana Vidyapeeth (Lord Rama’s Temple) in Bheeshmapitama Marg with an hour-long japa of the Taraka Mantra, to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
Punjab
Ludhiana
A homemade meal was hosted at a volunteer’s home for a little group of children from marginalized communities. Gathered around a magnificent cake, the children cut with great enthusiasm, singing the birthday song cheerfully. School uniforms were offered to 101 students at DRSP Vidya Mandir, a school for children from economically-challenged families. Volunteers also sensitized the children about the environmental initiatives of The Satsang Foundation and encouraged them to become responsible eco-citizens.
Overseas Centres
Burundi, East Africa
Bujumbura
Volunteers at Bujumbura, Burundi have been consistently supporting severely disadvantaged communities of daily wage workers for over three years, providing dry ration supplies; offering back-to-school essentials for school children; and contributing towards amenities such as safe drinking water in rural areas. On Founder’s Day dry ration kits were offered at Hindu Mandal to 200 vulnerable individuals, providing temporary relief from their daily struggle with financial uncertainty.
The UAE
Dubai
An evening of meditation and soulful bhajans stirred everyone’s emotions as the regular satsang group celebrated Sri M’s birthday. The oldest and the youngest amongst them cut the cakes before the group partook of a meal together.
The UK
England & Scotland
Inspired by Sri M’s message of love and selfless service, volunteers in Hounslow, London and Glasgow, Scotland offered food for people without homes and warm clothing with the onset of the winter cold, providing warmth and comfort to those in need.
Volunteers residing in West Drayton helped provide for annadaanam seva across 6 shelter homes in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu.
At High Wycombe, Reading, and Enfield, community outreach service was offered with contributions of food supplies to local food banks. Volunteers from High Wycombe also contributed to initiatives aimed at protecting cows in India.
Also Read
Part I: Celebrating the Joy of Giving & Sharing
Part III: Special Sevas
Part IV: The Seva Journey Continues – 7 to 9 November
