Radha Soami Satsang Beas – An intriguing place

My newly developed interest in the significance of spirituality has made me aware about the various spiritual organizations we have in our country. While I was busy exploring more about Dera Sacha Sauda, I got a call from Jatin, an old friend who was in town and wanted to catch up.

We decided to go out for dinner and even before he could order the starters, I started chattering about my new explorations. Me and Jatin, we have graduated school together but after a few years his family shifted to Punjab. I told him everything I knew about Dera Sacha Sauda and how it has got me hooked completely. He told me that his family has started to follow a spiritual organization as well. It’s called Radha Soami Satsang which is based in the Beas neighborhood of Punjab.

Radha Soami Satsang Beas is a spiritual/philosophical organization whose core values are derived from the teachings of all the religions we have in our country. The teachings of the organization are aimed at developing inner peace through the power of spirituality. I was stunned to realize that RSSB is active in more than 90 countries and unlike many other non-profit societies; it has no affiliation to any political or commercial groups.

Jatin also told me about Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, which is a RSSB community that shelters more than 350,000 devotees on daily basis. The Dera is one of the most effectively planned self-sustaining communities of our country.

Now, I have got another fabulous ‘research topic’ to explore!

Dera Sacha Sauda - A place I will surely visit

While I was exploring more facts about Tarakeshwar Dham, I came to know about one of the biggest, most popular spiritual centred in Sirsa - Dera Sacha Sauda. The centre is a socio- spiritual organization which is visited by people from all parts of the world. Here, they learn the true significance and spirit of humanity and spirituality. 

I was astonished to learn that the Sirsa centre is their main centre with more than 50 million faithful followers. At Dera Sacha Sauda one gets to learn the art of meditation. The devotees are supposed to follow the principles laid down by Beparawah Mastana Ji Maharaj, the founder of the organization.

I asked my friend Gopal, if he know someone who is a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda and to my surprise, not one or two, I found several people in my circle who knew about the organization and their operations. At this moment, I realized how big and influential this organization is.

One of my very old friends, Geet explained to me, the three main principles and how they make one’s life better with the help of spirituality –

•  Vegetarianism – According to the organization, our religions have always supported vegetarianism and now it has been scientifically proven as well that humans are vegetarian by nature. 

•  Anti-drugs – The current Guruji Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji strongly opposes the use of intoxicants in all its forms. Dera Sacha Sauda has organized massive anti-drugs campaigns in the past and millions of people have refrained themselves from drugs under the influence of the organization. 

•  Divine/Spiritual Character – This particular principle needs a separate column altogether, but in a nutshell, the divine character principle inspires you to build a strong moral character. 

 Another friend, Ankit Goyal casually added that the organization has achieved Guinness World Records for a number of blood donation campaigns and tree-plantation drives. Now, I am so impressed that whenever I’ll visit Sirsa, Dera Sacha Sauda will be the first place I’ll head to.

A shrine in the memory of Sirsa’s own baba

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am intrigued by Sirsa because of the presence of some diverse religious and spiritual centers.

One place that has me hooked is the Tara Baba Ki Kutiya, which is also popularly known as Tarakeshwar Dham.

I have already written about it in the earlier post, but a little research and some calls to friends in Haryana, got me some more information about it.

 A friend told me about the local legends associated with the kutiya.  Some people consider it an ‘Icchha Poorti Sthal’ which means a spiritual place, where every wish is granted.

It is a huge place, visited daily by a large number of people. A friend even said that during the weekends the place is packed with large crowds. I also got to know that the Kutiya holds a ‘bhandara’ i.e. free distribution of food on a regular basis.

I wondered who bears the cost of the entire operation. A little research informed me about the charity that runs the entire operation. The kutiya is managed and run by a non-profit organization, Tara Baba Charitable Trust, established in the memory of Sant Tara Baba Ji.

The charitable trust is managed by the Kanda family, one of the most influential and richest families in the area. The Kanda family has been the followers of Tara Baba Ji for three generations now. One of the many charities associated with the kutiya is in the name of Murli Dhar Kanda, the late patriarch of the family.

The family maintains the kutiya and is always working on making sure that the devotees coming to the kutiya face no hassles.

One of my friends has promised me some photographs of the kutiya, I will post them as soon as possible.

Till then, stay smiling.  

A Journey into spirituality

We often say that our country is defined by the various religions followed here. However, the truth is our country is defined by the spirituality that runs through its veins.

India has a spiritual heritage which goes back to ancient history. We Indians were always more aware about the existence of a divine power, as compared to the people from any other country.

In spite of the religious diversity in our country, it is heartening to see people from different religions, coming together on a journey into spirituality.

We have a number of ashrams and missions dedicated to one cause; an exploration of spirituality.

This platform is an attempt to highlight the various missions that offer us a way to seek the divine. 

Sirsa – Spirituality’s Hometown

Sirsa – Spirituality’s Hometown

While doing a research on various spiritual missions and the various Godmen, both past and present, I came across an interesting small town in North India, Sirsa.

What sets this small town apart is the presence of some major spiritual missions, in close vicinity.

Two major spiritual centers in the city are Dera Sachcha Sauda and Tara Baba Kutia.

Dera Sachcha Sauda

A non-profit spiritual organization with a strong following, Dera Sachcha Sauda was established in 1948.

Founded by Mastana Balochistani, soon after the country gained independence, the Dera attracts followers from all over the country.

The spiritual discourses offered at the Dera often focus on two things: the search for the divine and the propagation of humanitarian qualities.

The Dera not only focuses on spirituality, but also does a lot of charitable work.

It has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for its blood donation drives and the tree the planting initiatives.    

The core philosophy of the Dera is simple; humanity and spirituality are inseparable and only through love for our fellow human can we successfully reach the divine.  

Tara Baba Ki Kutia

Situated 5 km from the main city, Tara Baba Ki Kutia is devoted to Saint Shri Tara Baba Ji, who was a local Godman.

The Kutia also has a Hindu dedicated to the various Hindu deities.

One of the major attractions in the temple is an artificial network of caves that house the 12 Jyotirlings, depicting Lord Shiva.

The temple also has statues of Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, placed in scenarios depicted in the various Hindu religious texts.

The kutia also features an area which has been converted to a scene of Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna is seen serenading Radha Ji and the gopis.

Every Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri, devotees from all over the country come in hordes to offer their prayers.

The kutia has emerged as a major spiritual destination.

We will talk about these two places in further posts as we continue this journey into spirituality.