Satsang Ashram

Satsang Ashram, Deoghar
	Main entrance
Founder	Thakur Anukulchandra
Type	Religious organisation
Purpose	Spirituality and Philanthropy.
Headquarters	Deoghar, Jharkhand, India
Coordinates	24°29′N 86°40′E / 24.48°N 86.67°E
Area served	Worldwide
Website	www.satsang.org.in

Satsang Ashram is the headquarters of the Satsang movement started by Thakur Anukulchandra in India and across the world.^[1]^[2] The Satsang Ashram has become a major place of attraction in Deoghar for all kinds of people in the society. The township surrounding the ashram is known as Satsang Nagar and has a dedicated Indian railways passenger halt for the ease of devotees visiting the place.^[3]

Establishment of the Ashram edit

The establishment of the Satsang Ashram at Deoghar was started after Thakur Anukulchandra moved to Deoghar from his birthplace in the Pabna District of East Bengal (now Bangladesh) on 2 September 1946. Satsang, as an organization was registered after India got its independence and partition, under the Societies Registration act of 1860.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Prayer in Satsang Ashram, Deoghar)

Institutions and centers edit

As a part of the Satsang movement, various activities are carried out for the service of the devotees and people in general. Various philanthropic and social works are conducted by different centers and institutions established in the Ashram premises.^[4]

Satsang Philanthropy edit

It is the main administrative facility of Satsang. All the activities in the Ashram is carried out under the jurisdiction of the Satsang Philanthropy. The Philanthropy department is well equipped with an advanced computerized system.^[7]

Dutadipti Satsang Charitable Hospital

Controversy: all devotees of ashram send donation(istavriti) on monthly basis. It is believed to be used for philanthropy. But, there is no audit report publicly available for the utilisation of this fund.

Dutadeepti Satsang Charitable Hospital edit

This hospital is a charitable hospital and provides free health services to the general public throughout the year.^[8]

Anandabazar Bhavan, Satsang Ashram

Anandabazar (Community Kitchen) edit

This free community kitchen known as Anandabazar was introduced by the mother of Thakur Anukulchandra, Monmohini Devi. It offers very simple lunch and dinner two times daily to the Ashramites and devotees visiting the Ashram. Due to the growing number of devotees and visitors, a seven storied building named ‘Anandabazar Bhavan’ has been constructed where thousands of people can take Prasad (meal) at any given time.^[1]^[7]^[4]

Satsang Publishing House edit

This publishing company publishes various books and literatures compiled from the sayings and discussions with Thakur Anukulchandra at different times. The publishing house brings out five monthly magazines, ‘Alochana’ in Bengali, ‘Sattwati’ in Hindi, ‘Urjana’ in Odia, ‘Ligate’ in English and ‘Agamvani’ in Assamese.^[4]^[9]^[10]

Satsang Rashaishana Mandir (Satsang Chemical Works) edit

Thakur Anukulchandra being a doctor himself, used to give herbal and Ayurvedic medicines often accompanied by their respective formulae for the treatment of people. To preserve those formulae and to prepare herbal medicines, the Rashaishana mandir was established. Various medicines under the trademark of Satsang is widely used by the general public.^[11]^[12]

Schools and College edit

Satsang runs two schools namely, Tapovan Vidyalay and Vinapani Vidyamandir separately for boys and girls respectively. Both schools have their separate premises with hostel facility. The Satsang college named as ‘Amardyuti Sandhya College’ was established in 1969 and is currently run by the government.^[7]^[13]^[14]

Museums edit

A museum named ‘Memoria’ has been established at the Satsang Ashram in the memory of Thakur Anukulchandra. It displays the belongings of Thakur Anukulchandra and photographs of events and meetings with eminent personalities with him. Another museum is dedicated to his eldest son, Amarendranath Chakravarty (Sree Sree Borda).^[7]

Other centers and facilities edit

Apart from the above institutions, Satsang Ashram has other centers and facilities like Ved Bhavan, dedicated for Vedic studies and recitations, Satsang Library, Kristibandav Natyashilpam (music and dramatic institution), Satsang Press, Satsang Carpentry, Engineering and Mechanical Workshop, Satsang garage, Goshala (Cowshed) etc.^[7]

Rain water harvesting system edit

Due to increase in the number of devotees and tourists visiting the Satsang Ashram, water scarcity became an acute problem. So, The administrators and workers of the ashram developed a promising rain water harvesting system entirely on their own throughout the ashram premises. The project is still ongoing and being upgraded on a regular basis.^[15]^[16]

Functions and activities edit

A number of functions are celebrated in the Satsang Ashram throughout the year. The birth anniversaries of Thakur Anukulchandra, his wife (Sree Sree Boromaa), his eldest son (Sree Sree Borda) and current Acharyadev are being celebrated in the Satsang Ashram. Other festivals related to the life events of Thakur Anukulchandra, Ritwik conferences are also being celebrated. Lacs of devotees from around the country and abroad arrive at the Ashram to attend the celebrations. Eminent personalities usually attend various Utsavs and functions at the Satsang Ashram.^[2]^[17]^[18]