Events
OUR CELEBRATIONS
Kundanikaben never approved of the celebration of her birthday. Hence we - the core group only gather in Ashram and meditate sitting at her favourite place વનદેવતા - the place where God of plants is worshipped. Kundanikaben used to meditate there and get direct messages whenever required.
The great masters can never take the exit, though bodily abesnt. It can be truely felt at any site of Nandigram any day by the seekers. Yet on this special day we together pray to him to bless us all to continue our jounery on the path he has shown, without distraction.
Ishama took her final flight on this day, leaving all of us behind and went to meet Pujya Bhai there as it was also their marriage anniversary. Reading her spiritual literature and performing some physical activities (shrama - yagna) of her choice, Nandigram celebrates the day in her sweet memories.
Hanumanji is not merely worshipped as Diety here, but is also considered the protector of Nandigram, a source of energy and devotion. Apart from the prayers etc. the safron flag is changed and hoisted on 'Hanuman Madhi' as a symbol of spiritual victory.
Nandigram was founded as per the direct guidance from Pujya Bhai's inner voice - the voice of supreme. So this auspicious day is celebrated to evalutate our own spiritual growth as well as to assess the services renderd throughout the year.
The day of Makrandbhai's divination is celebrated with safron flag hoisting at 'Hanuman Madhi' in Nandigram. Friends & followers of Nandigram used to gather for Pujya Bhai's blessings & direct guidance. Now his literature and recorded lectures are our guide in his physical abscence on this auspicious day.
Makarandbhai's 'Janma Jayanti' programme started with 'Bhajan Sandhya'on 12th November - the eve of his birthday at Vikramshila. Bhajans, poems & songs were presented by an eminent artist Mr. Dhruv Gadhavi and the followers of Nandigram.
On 13th November morning, friends and well wishers of Nandigram gathered to wish Pujya Bhai with 'pranams' in the pious, serene atmosphere of 'shekinah'. It was followed by the flag hoisting at 'Hanuman Madhi' and then the programme of prayers, reading Bhai's literature, meditation etc. at 'Sadhana Tirth'. It ended with Pujya Bhai's recorded speech.
A devoted social worker and a famous, spiritually oriented poet Shree Dalpatbhai Padhiyar was the chief guest in the post breakfast session, who guided in the performance of socail obligation. The celebration ended with garaba (dance) - 'Gamatano Kariye Gulal' where the whole staff of Nandigram and all freinds & followers together participated actively.
The foundation day of Nandigram was celebrated for the first time. The event began with a presentation of the vision behind Nandigram, articulated and written by Pujya Makarandbhai and Pujya Kundanikaben.
Following this, the shlokas from the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the qualities of Sthitaprajna were recited by the youngsters and explained in detail by Dr. Mahesh Parikh.
A group of 14 sadhakas had conducted their 3 days residential shibir at Nandigram from 20th september 2024 to 22nd september 2024
On 30th January evening – the eve of Makarandbhai’s death anniversary, Shyamalbhai-saumilbhai and Artiben from Ahmedabad presented Bhajans. They also explained how this Bhajans originated as well as their deeper spiritual meaning.
On the day of Makarandbhai’s death anniversary there was a presentation from Charulben and Vinaybhai on plight of street children. This highly educated couple(charulben is an architecture and Vinay is an IIT engineer) has devoted their lives for upliftment of under privileged people especially the children. Based upon their impartial and deep research, they presented the data through songs very interestingly. The whole atmosphere was full of emotions, having tears in eyes. They really aroused the sense of social responsibility in audience.
Along with the above there was also the release of the second volume of the book-‘Sai-Isha Antarang’.
From April 16th to 18th 3 days residential summer camp for the students from ‘ashram shala’ located at Taamachhadi and Chandvengan village of KaparadaTaluka in valsad district was conducted. Members of Nandigram’s Saathivrund viz Oshin, Falguni, Asha and Meeta, under the able guidance of shree Kokiben (Bilpudi) and Shree Himanshiben shelat organized the camp nicely.
The Activities of camp included ‘Prabhaatferi’, Yogasan, Resitation, public speaking training and communication skills. There was a one day excursion to Dandi site of salt satyagrah by Mahatma Gandhi. Being their first sight of the sea, children were immensely exited and enjoyed a lot.
On Ishama’s wedding Anniversary(Akshay Trutiya) and death anniversary, a group of Nandigramits gathered at ‘Seva Tirth’ (Ishama’s Samadhi Place) in the morning for prayes and Bhajans. Following that ‘Ishavasyam Aushadh Vanam’ was inaugurated. This garden of medicinal plants was inspired by Pujya Jagajivan baapu from Umargaon. He had suggested to Makarandbhai to get such a garden prepared at Nandigram. This medicinal garden is Named after Ishama as a tribute to her kinness in developing it as well as establishing live contact with nature – especially the plants. It differs from other garden as it illustrates the following characteristics:
In short, this can also serve as a unique combination of medicinal garden as well as a meditation place. One can feel the positive vibrations in the soil and observe the beauty and spirituality of the garden from the view point.
Some Salient features of this garden:
Ishavasyam Aushadhi vanam is neither a mere amusement park, nor a simple medicinal garden; but it has spiritual values too.
In the centre of the garden the figure of a meditating Rishi is there. According to the parts of the body, typical herbs are planted in that figure. i.e. herbs used for eyes, ears, hair, heart, Lungs, Stomach etc are planted at the places of its particular body parts.
Covering this figure, we can see the drawing of top triangle and bottom triangle of Shreeyantra representing ‘Shiva’ and ‘Shakti’. Below this, seven Chakras are found. The colours of the medicinal herbs over there are selected as per the colour of the Chakras.
‘Ishavasyam’ contains a pond (with white Lotus), a ‘Yagna kund’, a Hillock and a Dried tree (with Buddhist chime, Lantern, and other Hangings on it) at Ishaan, Agni, Nairutya and Vaayavya corner of the garden respectively. Appropriate herbs dominating the same Tatva (i.e. Jala, Agni, Pruthvi, Vaayu) are planted around those structures. Over and above many trees of various sizes, creepers, spreading herbs are planted at the boundries. Total around 200 spices are present in the garden.
After this event, of inauguration there was a presentation of KABIR BHAJANS by the ‘Tana-bana Group’ from Banaras.
Nandigram hosted an ‘Adhyayan shibir’ on the topic of peace and non violence from June 1st to 6th 2025 conducted by Sanjaybhai and Tulaben of Vishwagram trust. Guest-speakers like Himanshiben shelat and Sharifaben Vijaliwala, Mahendrabhai Chotaliya etc were invited. In all about 25 people participated.