SRF Nuns Visit YSS Ashram Centers

Brahmacharini Krishnapriya, Sister Brahmani, Sister Draupadi, and Brahmacharini Vaishnavi, upon their arrival in Delhi.

Four Self-Realization Fellowship nuns visited ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda in India during October and November 2022. At the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) ashrams in Noida, Dakshineswar, and Ranchi, they participated in Sadhana Sangams — three-day events similar in spirit to the SRF Convocation. (YSS is the name by which Paramahansaji's work is known in India and several nearby countries.)

Following are images of some of the events in which Sister Draupadi, Sister Brahmani, Brahmacharini Vaishnavi, and Brahmacharini Krishnapriya participated.

During their visit, the sannyasinis (as renunciant nuns are known in India) conducted meditations and met with YSS devotees. Sister Drapaudi and Sister Brahmani gave talks, as well, on Paramahansa Yogananda’s “how-to-live” teachings.

The closing talk for the three-day program in Ranchi was given by Sister Draupadi and the closing talk in Noida by Sister Brahmani. Both talks were livestreamed for the benefit of those unable to join in person, and can be viewed in full on this page below.

Arrival in Delhi

Arriving after midnight on October 21, the nuns are greeted and garlanded by devotees.

The sannyasinis are welcomed by Swami (Brother) Vishwananda, Vice President of SRF and member of YSS Board of Directors, to the Delhi Kendra — and to India.

Diwali Celebrations at Noida Ashram in October

The first event in which the visiting sannyasinis participate is the celebration of Diwali, India's "festival of lights." Swami (Brother) Vishwananda begins the festival by performing an arati ceremony before an image of Paramahansaji.

The nuns offer lamps and flowers at the garden altar.

All the gardens are all lit with lights of multi-colored hues.

The nuns participate in devotional kirtan during the Diwali celebrations.

Arrival at YSS Dakshineswar Ashram — October 25

The sannyasinis next traveled to the YSS ashram in Dakshineswar, near Kolkata. Arriving on October 25, they are warmly welcomed by YSS monastics and devotees.

View of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India Headquarters and Ganges River, Dakshineswar.

Visiting the reception area

In the central courtyard of the Dakshineswar Ashram

Touring the grounds with Swami (Brother) Vishwananda.

Viewing the Ganges from the Dakshineswar Ashram

Sadhana Sangam YSS Dakshineswar Ashram — October 28 – November 2

Sister Draupadi speaks during the opening ceremony.

Brahmacharini Vaishnavi conducts a review of the Energization Exercises.

Sister Draupadi gives an inspirational talk.

Sister Brahmani leads a meditation as Brahmacharini Krishnapriya leads the chanting.

Smiling nuns and devotees

Performing Paramahansaji's healing technique at the close of a meditation.

At the close of the Dakshineswar events, YSS devotees say farewell to the nuns.

Sister Brahmani pranaming to devotees upon departure.

Arrival at YSS Ranchi Ashram — November 6

Arriving at the Ranchi Ashram after dark, the nuns are garlanded and greeted by devotees.

The nuns are given a tour of the spacious grounds of the Ranchi Ashram.

They visit the Paramahansa Yogananda Smriti Mandir (memorial shrine), dedicated in 1995, seventy-five years after the prophetic vision that prompted Paramahansa Yogananda's journey to the West to found his Self-Realization Fellowship. This beautiful shrine is located at the place where he had that vision.

Inside the Paramahansa Yogananda Smriti Mandir

At the entrance to the Paramahansa Yogananda Smriti Mandir.

In front of Paramahansa Yogananda's room at the Ranchi Ashram, which is preserved as a shrine.

With Swami Vishwananda touring the YSS educational campus complex under construction at Jagannathpur, south of Ranchi, on November 8.

Sadhana Sangam YSS Ranchi Ashram — November 11–13

Swami Ishwarananda introduces the nuns to the Sangam participants in Ranchi.

Sister Draupadi's closing talk on "Kriya Yoga: Quickening Our Human Evolution" is livestreamed to thousands of online viewers (and available in full below).

Watch “Kriya Yoga: Quickening Our Human Evolution” by Sister Draupadi

We invite you to watch this talk given by Sister Draupadi on Paramahansa Yogananda's Kriya Yoga teachings, given as part of the three-day program in Ranchi.

Sangam participants fill the hall.

Brahmacharini Vaishnavi leads devotional chanting.

The main hall was not enough space for all the devotees wishing to attend. Here the nuns greet those in the overflow seating.

Upon departure from Ranchi, the nuns are thanked by the devotees for the inspiration they have brought to the Guru's spiritual family.

Sadhana Sangam YSS Noida Ashram — November 25-27

The YSS Noida Ashram and Retreat Center, located in the National Capital Region (of which New Delhi is a part), was dedicated in 2010.

The ashram and retreat is decorated with floral rangoli to welcome devotees.

The nuns enter the Dhyana Mandir (meditation temple) for the opening ceremony.

And are introduced to the devotees.

Opening ceremony

On Sunday, November 27, Sister Brahmani gives the closing talk on "Creating Lasting Happiness," which is livestreamed to thousands of online viewers, and can be viewed in full on this page.

Watch “Creating Lasting Happiness” by Sister Brahmani

We invite you to watch this talk given by Sister Brahmani on Paramahansa Yogananda's SRF/YSS teachings, given as part of the three-day program in Noida.