“What great assurance there is in these words of Gurudeva: ‘I will be nearer when I am through with the body than before.’ Remember that at even the most difficult or trying times in your life, the Guru is there, reaching down both hands to lift you up to the higher consciousness in which all hardships can be either resolved or borne.”
—Sri Sri Daya Mata, third president and sanghamata, YSS/SRF
Make a Special Offering on Guru Purnima
Our beloved Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, reminds us that a true guru, through his divine vision, sees the Divine in all, and joyfully dedicates himself to uplifting others. Guru Purnima is that sacred occasion when we honour our Gurus — divine emissaries of God’s love and light.
For us, his disciples, this event is more than just a celebration. It is a moment to inwardly bow to him in deepest gratitude, and to reaffirm our commitment to serve his divine mission. It is a time to reflect not only on the blessings we have received from our Guru, but also on how we may become instruments of his light and compassion for others.
An Opportunity to Lovingly Serve Gurudeva’s Work
As we gather our thoughts and hearts around our beloved Guru on this sacred occasion, many devotees are inwardly moved to ask: “How can I offer something meaningful back to him?”
This Guru Purnima, we invite you to join us in writing a new chapter in the history of YSS — developing the first YSS ashram in southern India, in Chennai, that will become a serene and peaceful sanctuary for all truth-seeking souls.
The foundational work and the first phase of construction of this spiritual campus are estimated at ₹65 crore — a sacred undertaking that rests on the collective devotion and loving support of Guruji’s large spiritual family spread across the country.
A Vision Rooted in Guruji’s Legacy
Paramahansa Yoganandaji foresaw that the influence of YSS/SRF would “begin as a gentle zephyr and will gradually increase in power and force until, as a mighty wind, it will help to sweep away the darkness and impurities clouding the lives of God’s children.” His blessings have quietly nurtured the growth of YSS through its ashrams in Ranchi, Dakshineswar, Dwarahat, and Noida. Yet for long, the vast southern region of India lacked a dedicated ashram.
Now, that long-awaited dream is being fulfilled.
From a Retreat to an Ashram
Surrounded by reserve forest on three sides and a tranquil lake on the fourth, the Yogoda Satsanga Chennai Retreat — nestled within 17 acres of serene greenery in Mannur, near Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, just 40 km from Chennai — was inaugurated in 2010 as a sacred space for spiritual renewal.
With the launch of the Tamil and Telugu translations of the Yogoda Satsanga Lessons in 2022, an increasing number of truth-seeking souls from the region were drawn to the liberating Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansaji.
Responding to this growing interest, a resident monastic community was established at the retreat in 2024 to help guide and gradually expand the spiritual programmes offered. Soon, the retreat began drawing devotees from across the country, and especially from the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry, becoming a vibrant hub of spiritual activity.
Weekend retreats, Sadhana Sangams, and discourses held here were deeply appreciated, as more and more devotees sought the peaceful atmosphere of the retreat to deepen their sadhana and communion with God and Guruji. Recognizing the need to offer greater spiritual support to the devotees in this region, our revered president and spiritual head, Swami Chidananda Giri, formally declared it Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram on September 15, 2024 — establishing it as the fifth YSS ashram in India.
In response to this rising interest, the ashram has been offering a variety of spiritual programmes:
- Daily group meditations, Sunday Satsangas and commemorative programmes
- Sadhana Sangams and Retreats in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and English. Retreats in Malayalam are being planned as well.
- Children’s Satsangas, Youth Programmes, and volunteer retreats
- Monastic counselling and outreach to nearby centres
- Charitable services to support the underprivileged in the neighbourhood
Devotees share their heartfelt experiences:
Crafting a Vision for Chennai Ashram: The Master Plan
With the expansion of programmes at the newly established ashram, certain limitations of the original infrastructure became evident. The initial construction was modest, providing only limited accommodation and facilities for devotees, sevaks, and monastics. The existing retreat buildings were not designed to support the growing scale of activities now taking place.
To address the present needs and plan for the future, a comprehensive Master Plan has been thoughtfully developed in consultation with town planners, architects, and other specialists.
As part of his recent visit to India and Nepal, Swami Chidanandaji made his first-ever visit to the YSS Chennai ashram in February 2025. During his visit, he was given a tour of the ashram premises and was presented with an overview of the proposed Master Plan.
With Swamiji’s blessings, a two-phase construction plan has been finalized to develop a comprehensive spiritual campus — one that reflects serenity, seclusion, and sustainability. Prior to taking up Phase I of the plan, we need to do some foundational works, which will entail some initial costs.
Foundational Works (₹10 crore)
- Level the land using earth-filling, especially in the low-lying north-east region.
- Build a concrete road around the perimeter of the campus, and multiple walkways that connect different parts of the ashram grounds.
- Construct stormwater drains and trenches to lay electrical and network cables alongside the perimeter road.
- Meditation Hall (1,200 capacity)
- Devotee Accommodation Block (100 capacity)
- Monastic Quarters (for 25 monks)
- Kitchen and Dining (200 capacity)
- Children’s Satsanga Facilities
- Administration Building
- Warehouse for YSS Publications
- Sewerage Treatment Plant
- Landscaping
Phase II: Expansion of Devotee Facilities & Sustainable Infrastructure (₹45 crore)
- Satsanga Hall
- Additional Devotees’ Accommodation Blocks (200 capacity)
- Residential quarters for Sevaks
- Utilities and Laundry Block
- Solar Panels, Water Tank
We have taken great care to preserve as much of the original green cover as possible — especially the mango and coconut trees — while creating the Master Plan. Each building has been thoughtfully designed to reflect a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetic beauty. These facilities will serve thousands of seekers — young and old, from far and near — for generations to come.
Project Timeline:
To provide a clear picture of the development schedule for the Chennai Ashram project, the following timeline outlines the major phases:
| Phase | Begins | Expected Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Works | June 2025* | 6 Months |
| Phase I | January 2026 | 3 Years |
*Note: Work on the Foundational Phase has recently begun.
Let Us Build It Together
The total financial requirement for the Foundational Works and Phase I of the project is ₹65 crore. We warmly welcome your support in bringing this divine vision to life.
This sacred undertaking calls forth the selfless spirit of Guru-seva within each of us. Every prayer, every offering — no matter the amount — becomes a brick in this temple of light being built for truth-seeking souls.
Whether you feel drawn to contribute to the Meditation Hall, support a specific facility, or offer a monthly gift for the broader vision — your generosity will carry Paramahansaji’s teachings to thousands in the years to come, and will surely draw his divine blessings.
Guruji said: “The Lord reciprocates the selfless service of devotees; His silent command vibrating through all nature brings about the fulfilment of their every need, often in mysterious ways.”
How to Offer Your Support
If you feel moved to support this sacred undertaking, you may choose from the following options:
Should you feel inspired to make a larger offering, or to support a particular aspect of this ashram project, we would be happy to speak with you personally. Please feel free to contact the YSS Helpdesk (0651-6655 555, Mon–Sat: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm).
Our Heartfelt Gratitude
We are deeply grateful for your love and prayers, and for the many ways you serve Gurudeva’s work. With your support, Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram, Chennai, will surely blossom into a spiritual sanctuary radiating Gurudeva’s light, love, and wisdom to all who come.
May the blessings of our beloved Gurudeva, and the great Gurus be with you always.
In divine friendship,
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
