“Through sympathy and deep vision, a true guru sees the Lord suffering in the physically, mentally, and spiritually poor, and that is why he feels it his joyous duty to assist them.”
— Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Make a Special Offering on Guru Purnima
Our beloved Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda reminds us that a true guru beholds the Divine in all and joyfully dedicates himself to their upliftment. Guru Purnima is that sacred occasion when we honour such true gurus — the divine emissaries of God’s love and light — and inwardly bow to them in deepest gratitude.
For us, Paramahansaji’s disciples, this day is more than a celebration. It is a time to reflect on the blessings we have received from our Gurudeva on our spiritual journey, and also to reaffirm our commitment to serve him in whichever way we can.
An Invitation to Lovingly Serve Gurudeva’s Work
As we offer our hearts’ love at the lotus feet of our beloved Guruji on this sacred occasion, many devotees are inwardly moved to ask:
“How may I become his instrument in joyously serving others?”
This Guru Purnima, we invite you to become such an instrument by participating in two sacred undertakings, where your loving support will help carry forward Paramahansaji’s mission:
Total Estimated Cost: ₹14 Crore
We are deeply grateful for all your prayers, seva, and generous contributions that enable us to spread the light of Gurudeva’s Kriya Yoga teachings and his compassionate love throughout the world.
Read the detailed Appeal below.
Part I
A Visitor’s Centre at Ratkhal, near Mahavatar Babaji’s Cave
The sacred site of Mahavatar Babaji’s Cave has become a beacon for truth-seekers across the world. It was at this blessed location, in 1861, that the deathless Babaji met his exalted disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, and through him revived for this age the lost science of Kriya Yoga.
As more and more people come to know of Mahavatar Babaji through our beloved Gurudeva’s Autobiography of a Yogi, the internet and online media, a growing number of visitors — at times arriving by the busload — and among them distinguished persons and dignitaries, make the pilgrimage to this sacred site each day to receive the blessings of the great immortal master. Some are already familiar with Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), but many do not yet know that these organizations were founded by Yoganandaji, through Babaji’s blessings, to carry the science of Kriya Yoga to the world.
Former President of India, Sri Ramnath Kovind, along with his retinue, visits the Cave and Smriti Bhavan (located just below the cave).
YSS has long been wanting to construct a fully equipped Visitor’s Centre near Babaji’s cave where these pilgrims can rest and relax on their way to the cave and back. This facility would also provide information about YSS/SRF and Gurudeva’s Kriya Yoga teachings to interested seekers.
Further, YSS wanted to create a service facility where some sevaks could stay to look after the Visitor’s Centre, Babaji’s Cave, and also the Smriti Bhavan located just below the cave. With this vision, YSS acquired 11 acres of land close to Babaji’s Cave a few years ago.
In 2024, our revered President, Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri, graciously gave his blessings for the construction of these two buildings:
I. Visitor’s Centre (Atithi Bhavan)
A two-storeyed facility with a built-up area of 6,200 sq. ft. to welcome pilgrims and Yogoda devotees visiting Babaji’s Cave, offering:
- a Reception area
- a Book Room offering YSS’s spiritual literature
- an audio-visual presentation room, and a photo gallery room to acquaint pilgrims with the history and sacred lineage of YSS Gurus, and the Kriya Yoga teachings of YSS
- water and refreshments for pilgrims
- clean and accessible restrooms, and
- other ancillary facilities such as security, water storage, and caretaker quarters
II. Facilities Building
This four-storeyed facility (with a built-up area of 16,000 sq. ft.) will house the sevaks who will serve the pilgrims and oversee the upkeep of the Visitor’s Building, Facilities Building, Babaji’s Cave and surrounding area, and Smriti Bhavan. The proposed facilities include:
- living quarters for resident sevaks
- accommodation and dining for a small number of visiting devotees
- a charitable dispensary
- supporting infrastructure — dependable water storage with rainwater harvesting, and a robust electrical supply with generator backup ensuring uninterrupted power, so that service to pilgrims continues unhindered in every season
- office spaces, staff quarters, parking, and other ancillary facilities that allow for the work to run smoothly
Financial Overview and Timeline
- Total Estimated Cost of Construction: ₹10 crore
- Expected Time of Completion: Early 2027
We welcome your support in helping us bring this divine vision to fruition.
Part II
Preserving Gurudeva’s Ranchi Ashram
For more than a century, the YSS Ranchi Ashram has been a blessed haven where devotees and visitors come to fill their hearts with peace and joy by walking and meditating on the grounds sanctified by Gurudeva’s presence.
In our January 2026 Newsletter, we shared the initiatives being undertaken to care for those who visit or serve here, and to preserve the serenity and beauty of this sacred sanctuary for generations to come:
- Upgrading the roads and campus environment — durable roads, stone-paved walkways and pedestrian paths; landscaping to deepen the serene atmosphere; solar lighting and upgraded electrical networks; and centralized sewerage and drainage systems.
- Improving facilities for children, outreach, and seva — a dedicated building for Youth Services; additional printing and storage space for YSS Lessons; and a renovated charitable dispensary with a new dental section to better serve the less fortunate.
By Guruji’s grace, construction work is progressing well across all these initiatives on the campus; and we are happy to share the following photo presentation with you. All these projects are expected to be completed by early 2027.
I. Roads and Pathways
Stages of the road construction
II. Sewage and Drainage Systems
III. Storage Facilities
Through your kindness and financial support, we are able to undertake these projects.
We had to temporarily close down the Ranchi ashram due to these renovations. We saw in this an opportunity to undertake simultaneously additional projects that were long overdue.
IV. Underground Rainwater Storage Tank
The recent rise of high-rise buildings around the ashram has led to a gradual decline in groundwater levels, so much so that some of the ashram wells now run dry at the height of summer, and the yield from our borewells is steadily falling. The municipal supply, though available, is erratic and never sufficient for the ashram’s growing needs. We therefore felt it prudent to construct an underground rainwater storage tank, of approximately 5-lakh-litre capacity, as a sustainable means of capturing and conserving rainwater that would otherwise be lost as surface runoff.
The tank’s primary purpose is to harvest and store rainwater during the monsoon for use through the summer months, particularly for maintaining the ashram gardens.
V. Shiva Mandir and Havan Kund
For decades, the Shiva Mandir and its Havan Kund have been a sacred place of worship and devotional ceremonies performed in honour of our Gurus. Time and elements have taken their toll on these structures, and this hallowed place now needs urgent renewal. A renovation has been planned accordingly.
Key features and scope of work:
- Roof Replacement — the aged asbestos-sheet roof and deteriorated truss will be replaced with a durable, safe, and aesthetically fitting roofing system, preserving the sanctity and beauty of the Mandir.
- Installing New Granite Flooring — to improve durability, ease of maintenance, and to enhance the beauty of the area.
- Havan Kund Reconstruction — rebuilding it to restore structural integrity and ensure safe usage for ceremonies and devotional observances.
Financial Overview and Timeline
- Total Estimated Cost: ₹4 crore
- Expected Time of Completion: Early 2027
We welcome your support in helping us bring this divine vision to fruition.
Let Us Build It Together
Through these various projects — at the holy ground near Mahavatar Babaji’s Cave and at Gurudeva’s beloved Ranchi Ashram — we seek to welcome every truth-seeker with love and respect, and to preserve these hallowed grounds for the generations of seekers yet to come.
It is your generosity and constant support over the years that have enabled us to accomplish all that we have.
How to Offer Your Support
Above all, we ask for your prayers — that these sacred works may be completed smoothly. Heartfelt prayer is the truest foundation of every offering.
If you feel moved to support these sacred undertakings, you may choose to make a one-time or a monthly recurring donation through the YSS donation page, selecting one of the two options below:
Should you wish to make a larger offering, or to support a particular project, we would be happy to speak with you personally. Please contact the YSS Helpdesk at (0651) 6655 555 (Monday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
We, the monastic community and sevaks serving in Guruji’s ashrams, offer you our heartfelt gratitude and daily prayers for your well-being. With your love and support, these sacred spaces will continue to radiate Gurudeva’s light, love, and wisdom to all who come.
May the blessings of our great Gurus be with you always.
In divine friendship,
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
