DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA'S CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS HOSTED BY ESTCOURT BRANCH AT THE SWAMI SAHAJANANDA COMMUNITY CENTRE, FORDERVILLE, ESTCOURT ON SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2024

Divine Life Society of South Africa, Estcourt Branch, hosted the Society's Centenary Celebrations at the Swami Sahajananda Community Centre on Sunday 25 February 2024. The Celebration was attended by approximately 400 devotees, well-wishers, members of the public, officials of other Hindu organisations, donors, educators and learners of Drakensberg Secondary School, and non-governmental organisations supported by the Estcourt Branch in the Society's poverty alleviation programmes.

The most auspicious Mahasivaratri was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams on Friday, 8 March 2024, coinciding with Sri Swami Sivananda's monthly birthdate Satsang. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by the Mahasivaratri celebration, which concluded the next morning at 5am. The varied programme comprised an array of readings, Kirtans, Bhajans, musical items, guest artistes, videos, offerings at the shrine and chanting of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra while circumambulating the Ganga Rani pool. Guest artistes included Samika Chetty and Troupe (B. Harriram Sungeeth School of Music), Smt. Archana Sridhar and troupe, Jay Udith and Bhavna (Jai Ho Satsang) and Kantharuby Dance Academy.

Divine Life Society of South Africa joined the world in commemorating the Pran Pratishtha of the historic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday 22 January 2024, led by Prime Minister of India, the Honourable Narendra Modi.

Lord Rama has been glorified extensively by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, and is the Ishta Devata of Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Hence, devotees of Divine Life Society of South Africa hold Lord Rama in great reverence and close to their hearts.

In his article in a chapter from the book Essence of Ramayana, Swami Sivananda says:

"Rama was Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the destruction of Ravana. He was well accomplished, beautiful and endowed with royal marks. He was the foremost of those who were skilled in the use of bows and arrows. He was born of the Ikshvaku line. He had his sway all over the world...

The first event of Divine Life Society of South Africa's Centenary Celebrations (2024 – 2025), was hosted by our Rydalvale, Westham and Stonebridge Branches at the Rydalvale Ramayan Mundalee (Shree Raam Mandir) in Phoenix on Sunday 11 February 2024. The Celebration was attended by approximately 450 - 500 devotees, well-wishers, members of the public, members of other Hindu organisations, and donors.

It is important to preface this report with the reasons for the Society's Centenary Celebrations. A 100 years ago on 1st June 1924, His Holiness, Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati was ordained as a Sannyasin. His spiritual aura spread across India and the world, and in 1949, Divine Life Society of South Africa was formed by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, with Sri Swami Sahajananda as the secretary. Hence, the Society is celebrating the centenary of Sri Swami Sivananda's Sannyas Anniversary, and the 75th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa in 2024. In 2025, the Society will celebrate the 100th Birth Anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajananda.