THE officials and devotees of the Sri Adi Shankara Ashrama of Winchester Hills, Johannesburg South, will be embarking on an enormous outreach drive to celebrate the Sannyasa Diksha anniversary of Holy Master Satguru Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on June 1.
Sri Swami Sivanandaji was the founder of the internationally acclaimed Divine Life Society of India, whose life and sublime teachings have exerted a powerful influence on the lives of many seekers of truth throughout South Africa.
This community-based project, which will be one of the first of its kind ever since the Ashrama relocated to the Southern Suburbs in 2015, is intended to alleviate poverty and suffering in the community.
“The community of Lenasia and Daxina has played a pivotal role in assisting the Ashrama over the past 35 years to achieve its objective of serving the poor and needy through their magnanimous generosity of funds, as well as assistance in kind. Even though we have moved premises due to circumstances beyond our control, the noble Seva to the underprivileged, indigent and destitute still continue,” Sri Pramod Desai, chairperson of the Ashrama, said.
The Ashrama Winter Seva Project is scheduled to take place at the Sharicrest Primary School, Extension 10, Lenasia, from 12.30pm onwards, and will assume the form of a blanket and knitwear distribution and hot meals for the poor. The community is invited to assist with various chores, such as the cutting of vegetables, transport, cooking and serving.
Those who wish to contribute towards the purchasing of blankets and food may deposit funds directly into the Ashrama Nedbank Savings Account number 2940 039 585.
Contact the following officials of the centre: Swami Shivashankarananda on 084 827 0494; Swami Shraddhananda Mataji on 083 324 5759; Shrimati Ravika Ramlakkan on 084 547 009; Shrimati Sandy Madanlal on 060 411 7829 or the Ashrama landline on 011 433 2940.