Pilgrimage To Dihika

Prabhat Feri begins from ashram at 5 a.m.
Enthusiastic devotees join in the procession.
Palanquin is carried to the Ranchi railway station.
1400 devotees and monks board the special chartered train to Dihika.
Each of the 17 compartments is loaded with breakfast, water, and drinks.
Swamijis greet the Indian railway officials.
Aarti is performed before departure.
The train is flagged of to Dihika.
Swami Pavitrananda leads meditation in his compartment.
Devotees join in the chanting...
which is followed by meditation.
Devotees enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and...
divine fellowship.
Dihika devotees wave, from front of the kendra, to the approaching train.
In joyous anticipation devotees alight at the station.
The temporary gate welcomes the pilgrims.
Palanquin is carried from the station to the kendra.
Chanting Gurudeva's blessed name.
Ranchi devotees are joined by local and Dakshineswar devotees.
Local devotees give a warm traditional welcome with showering of flowers...
and blowing of conches.
Procession enters the holy grounds.
Spot where Gurudeva sat in 1935-36 is a shrine now.
A sign board on ground tells about the history.
Swami Madhavananda leads the <em>Energization Exercises.</em>
Swami Smaranananda speaks about Guru-disciple relationship.
Swami Vishwananda talks about the history of YSS starting from Dihika.
More than 1600 devotees are present on the occasion.
Swami Nirvanananda performs arati.
Devotees receive First Day Cover of the recently released YSS stamp.
Special Bengali meal is served for lunch.
Brahmachari Saujanyananda leads the afternoon bhajan session.
Litchi sapling from the Litchi Vedi is planted by the visiting SRF monks.
Few moments of relaxation around the pond.
Devotees meditate in the dhyana mandir.
Hearts filled with devotion and with memories of a lifetime, devotees wait at the station to return.