Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesha, is one of the most popular of Hindu Festivals. Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated this auspicious event online on Saturday, 22 August 2020. Our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda wrote, "Lord Ganesha is worshipped first in any kind of prayer. His Names are repeated first before an auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun. Without the blessings and Grace of Lord Ganesha, nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support. Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss. He is the Lord of Brahmacharins. He is foremost amongst the celibates".

Through the grace of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, the Society has contributed towards the establishment of the Sivananda RK Khan Hospital Screening Centre (images below), to assist in the control and eradication of the coronavirus pandemic. This initiative was in partnership with the Divine Health Forum, an NGO doing humanitarian work.

The Society has also contributed towards the establishment of the Sivananda King Dinuzulu Hospital Screening Centre and the Sivananda Wentworth Hospital Flu Clinic, to assist in the control and eradication of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the sacred Birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated on Wednesday, 12 August 2020 via an online Satsang. There were 1671 views. The programme commenced at 5.30pm with Ganga Arati and concluded at midnight with the celebration of the Birth of the Lord. Bhagavan Sri Krishna was the Ishta Devata of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda who wrote the following in Lord Krishna and His Lilas: "Lord Krishna was the highest incarnation of the great Lord Vishnu. He was the unique and crowning incarnation of all. He was the world teacher. He was the one Lord of love. His Divine form holds the heart of India captive in chains, even today. The Bhagavata, the Mahabharata, the Vishnu Purana—all proclaim with one voice that there was none to match Sri Krishna in beauty and elegance of form in all three worlds".

Divine Life Society of S. A. observed this auspicious event online, via audio stream. Our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda explains beautifully, the significance of this Vrata, which is taken from the book, Hindu Fasts & Festivals.

"Lord Siva describes the glory of this Vrata in the Skanda Purana. It is performed by a woman whose husband is still living. Maha Lakshmi is the abode of auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth.This worship of Her is done to obtain good progeny, and for the health and long life of the husband.

"The Vrata is observed on the Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). After a purificatory bath, the lady should put on clean, fresh clothes and make a mandala with the drawing of a lotus upon it. A kalasha filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, and a coconut and cloth are placed in the mandala. Mother Lakshmi is now invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.