Divine Life Society of South Africa launched the 41-Day Recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa,11 times daily, on Thursday 14 March 2024. The recital will end on the most auspicious Sri Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday 23 April 2024.

Beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa for protection, safety, welfare and peace in the world. In this critical period, collective recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa will assist in counteracting the scourges of our times. A verse in the Sri Hanuman Chalisa tells us of the power of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa in assisting the world, Naashai Roga Harai Saba Peera Japata Nirantara Hanumata Beera, which translated means, "All diseases are destroyed and pain and sorrow vanish when your great and powerful Name is repeated incessantly". The Sri Hanuman Chalisa is also very powerful and effective for the removal of all mental problems. It brings good health, success and prosperity. It cures diseases, counteracts evil forces and the effects of "black magic", which are so prevalent today. It was recommended to Pujya Swamiji by Pujya Mother Krishnabai of Anandashram, one of the greatest of living saints.

The years, 2024 and 2025, are milestone years in the history of Divine Life Society of South Africa. Three major events coincide in these two eventful years.

• Firstly, 2024 is the Centenary of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda's Sannyas. The Master was initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas on 1 June 1924 by the most revered Swami Vishwananda Saraswati. His sainthood gave birth to a spiritual renaissance, the emergence of Divine Life Society in India, in South Africa and other parts of the world.
• Secondly it is the 100th Birth Anniversary (Centenary Anniversary) of Sri Swami Sahajananda in 2025 (10 July 1925 - 10 July 2025).
• Thirdly, it is the 75th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of S.A in 2024 (1949 – 2024).

It is primarily for the above reasons that Divine Life Society of South Africa is holding its Centenary Celebrations in 2024 and 2025. The launch of the Centenary Celebrations on 07 January 2024 coincided with our Sivananda Day Satsang, and was marked by the symbolic lighting of lamps by our senior Rishikumars, the unveiling of the Centenary picture of Sri Gurudev for 2024, and a keynote address.

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...