The ideal of love for God and service to humanity found full expression in the life of Paramahansa Yogananda. He came on earth for the purpose of spiritually uniting East and West, to awaken divine yearnings in all hearts. He was practical in his methods; his teachings and life bespoke the wisdom of a true man of God. He carried the maxim of “a sound mind in a sound body” a step further; emphasizing, for the attainment of lasting happiness, the necessity for conscious soul communion with the Infinite Spirit.
— An excerpt from Paramahansa Yogananda: In Memoriam
January 5 marks the Janmotsav, the sacred occasion of the birth of our beloved Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in 1893, in Gorakhpur, into a devout Bengali family, Yoganandaji began his life’s work with the founding, in 1917, of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) to make available, in India and neighbouring countries, the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India.
As a mark of gratitude to our beloved Gurudeva Paramahansa Yoganandaji for his life-transforming Kriya Yoga teachings, we are commemorating his Janmotsav with two special online events this year. We invite you to join these events with your family and friends, and partake of the special blessings of meditating with other truth-seekers on this sacred day.
Janmotsav Six-hour Meditation
Sunday, January 4, 2026
9:40 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (IST)
A special commemorative six-hour meditation will be led by YSS sannyasis on Sunday, January 4. This spiritually uplifting event will be live-streamed from the YSS Ranchi ashram and will include periods of devotional chanting, inspirational readings, and meditation.
Please note: This event will be available for viewing till Friday, January 16, 10 p.m. (IST).
Janmotsav Commemorative Meditation and Discourse
Monday, January 5, 2026
6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (IST)
This programme will include a period of chanting and meditation, followed by an inspiring discourse by a YSS sannyasi on the spiritual blessings of receiving the guidance of a true guru and his soul-liberating teachings. It will be conducted in English.
Please note: This event will be available for viewing till Friday, January 16, 10 p.m. (IST).
On this occasion, YSS ashrams, kendras and mandalis will also conduct in-person commemorative programmes in a spirit of reverence and devotion. We invite you to learn more about these programmes at a YSS location near you.
This sacred day brings a special opportunity to Gurudeva’s devotees for offering their heartfelt gratitude to our beloved Paramahansaji for sharing the life-changing teachings of Kriya Yoga with India and the world.
If you wish to offer pranami, you may do so through the link provided below.
