Siddhaloka - Abode of Siddhas

Social Work

Siddha Yoga Dham, Bangalore, based at Siddhaloka, is a registered charitable institution that has been very active in all fields of social work since 1982, under the guidance of the Spiritual Head, Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati. The activities conducted by the organization for social benefit are in the fields of environment, health, nutrition, education and counseling.

Social Work Album :

Few glimpses of social activities organized by Siddha Yoga Dham can be viewed here : Photo Album

Environment:

The Siddha Yoga Dham, Bangalore, based in the idyllic environs of Siddhaloka, is keenly conscious of the need to conserve the environment and encourage judicious utilization of natural resources. Siddhaloka is surrounded by forests and the inmates are constantly in the lap of nature and in proximity of trees, wild animals and birds. Over the past years, regular programmes have been conducted at Siddhaloka to increase awareness regarding environmental issues among the rural population of surrounding areas. This includes the following activities:

Talks on water and soil conservation by eminent environmentalists to farmers and school children.
Painting competitions for schoolchildren on the theme of ‘Conservation of trees’.
Essay and debate competitions for school children on various topics related to conservation of the environment.
Distribution of saplings to local villagers through the Forest Department of the state government.
Demonstration and implementation of various techniques like rain water harvesting, construction of check dams and plantation of suitable trees for water and soil conservation.
Educational programmes on medicinal and other uses of various herbs and plants.
Encouraging the rural populace to form ‘Village Forest committees’ under the scheme launched by the state government for judicious management and utilization of forest resources by the local population.

In the past one year, an ambitious and far-reaching programme for development of wastelands around Siddhaloka, in the Magadi Taluk of Karnataka state, has been drawn up by Siddha Yoga Dham, Bangalore. This would involve a stage-by-stage rejuvenation of wastelands and creation of a ‘sacred forest’ of carefully selected trees in an area of about 500 acres of land. The proposals have been examined by eminent environmentalists and detailed proposals have been put forward to the state government for necessary approval and implementation. Details of this programme are included in the section on Sacred Forest.

Health:

Siddhaloka is located in the heart of rural India, with the nearest primary health centre at a distance of about 5 km, and the nearest doctor about 12 km away. It is the Siddha Yoga Dham that provides basic health care requirements to the surrounding villages, thanks to the presence of qualified doctors in Siddha medicine among the inmates of the ashram. Medicines for common ailments (not requiring prescriptions) are also available and these are provided free of cost to needy villagers. First aid facilities available at the ashram are regularly utilized by the people of the nearby villages. The villagers are also advised and guided regarding medical facilities available in nearby towns, particularly with regard to major diseases requiring expert medical facilities and expensive treatment.

Several medical camps have also been organized at Siddhaloka such as Eyes, Dental Care and general health for the rural population of the region. These have drawn a tremendous response from the needy villagers and have been of significant benefit.

The Siddha Guru also examines and guides people on the treatment of intricate and persisting ailments. For this purpose, Siddha medicines are manufactured on a small-scale basis using natural ingredients and forest products. These have proved to be of immense benefit to patients suffering from various problems.

Nutrition:

The Siddha Yoga Dham, Bangalore, has been consistently nurturing the children of the region in every possible manner. The most basic requirement in this regard is that of nutrition. Every single day there is a steady stream of young visitors to Siddhaloka, trotting across from villages up to 5 km away, for their daily ‘prasad’ (offering) of fruit or other eatables. The last 13 years have seen the children who used to come for their daily prasad mature into adults, with successive numbers of children following in ever-increasing numbers. These children are thrilled to be in the presence of their beloved Swamiji and exchange notes about school, home and friends with the ashram inmates and Param Poojya Swamiji himself, who is their ‘best friend’!

Every year, on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Nityananda, a ‘Baal Bhojan’ or ‘Feast for Children’ is also conducted at Siddhaloka. This is done in memory of Bhagwan Nityananda, who used to derive special pleasure in being with children and organizing feasts for them. In this function, more than a hundred children of all nearby villages assemble at Siddhaloka for a sumptuous feast. Every child is then presented with gifts by Param Poojya Swamiji. This includes school stationery, uniforms, coins and so on.

Education:

The rate of literacy being fairly low in Magadi Taluk, Siddha Yoga Dham is actively pursuing several activities to encourage and improve the literacy as well as level of education in the surrounding rural areas. This includes the following:

Adoption of a primary school in Hosur village of Magadi Taluk for a two-year period by the Siddha Yoga Dham, which provides all expenses for infrastructure and running of the school.
Provision of school stationery (exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, etc.) to all children of surrounding villages.
Provision of school uniforms to children of nearby villages.
Award of scholarships to deserving high school students.
Arrangements for hostel facilities at Bangalore for students from rural areas.

Counseling:

Devotees from far and near, within the country as well as abroad, have been approaching Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati, wherever He stays, in search of peace, happiness and spiritual growth. Ever since the Siddha Guru established His abode at Siddhaloka, people of all adjoining villages have looked upon Him as the solution to all their problems, troubles and disputes. Having been in Siddhaloka for the past 13 years, Swamiji is intimately familiar with the people of all nearby villages and is thus able to effectively guide them in their diverse problems. These may include problems related to basic amenities, employment, family issues, loans, agriculture and so on. The presence of Param Poojya Swamiji as a supreme arbiter for amicable solution of most disputes has drastically reduced the requirement for the economically backward villagers to take recourse to the police or courts of law. Instances of crimes have reduced drastically and the region has become more peaceful than in the past.

Param Poojya Swamiji’s soothing words and perfect guidance have also helped innumerable individuals to solve or come to terms with intricate personal problems. After spending a couple of hours in His blissful presence, one feels rejuvenated and enthused to take on the challenges and travails of day-to-day modern living. With His vast experience and expert knowledge of almost every profession, Swamiji is able to understand as well as guide people from all walks of life in a manner that each one can directly relate to. The journey of life seems easier and more joyful after an encounter with Swamiji’s blissful smile and reassuring blessings.

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