Morning Satsang
In early morning (divine hours), people who live in the premises of Satsang Bhawan get up at 2 AM for Meditation or Japa.
Every morning Satsang takes place from 4 A.M. to 5 A.M. This time remains same whether its Winter or Summer. All buses leave around 3 A.M. to pick up the spiritual aspirants from their respective stops in Ambala City & Ambala Cantt. At 4 A.M. “Aarti” takes place followed by Kirtan for 10-15 Mins. Then follows the lecture by Gurudev. At 5 A.M. buses go to drop people at their respective stops. Some people stay back for Seva (service) of Langar and cleanliness of Bhawan & the Surroundings. From time to time Geeta Gyan Goshthis (religious discussions) take place by the spiritual aspirants.
Evening Satsang
The Evening Satsang timings are different for Summer & Winter. During summers, timings are generally from 6 PM to 7 PM and during winters, it is 5 PM to 6 PM. The timings are adjusted based on the change in seasons, in order to make it convenient for Sadhaks to reach home early before sunset. Aarti takes place at the very end of Satsang, after which the buses leave for their destination. The evening Satsang is followed by recitation of 12th & 15th chapter of Geeta ji and Bhajans (hymns) by the Sadhaks (spiritual aspirants) who live close to Satsang Bhawan or come on their own conveinecne.
Other events at Satsang Bhawan
Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima (Celebrated on day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat) – Guru Vyasa wrote all the 4 Vedas and purans that were recited by the Lord Brahma and every person in this world is in debt for the work, that saint Vyasa did. Showing great compassion for all living entities Lord Krishna’s Leela avatar and literary incarnation Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa composed the authentic historical treatise known throughout creation as the Mahabharata. The eighteen chapters of the Bhagvad Geeta are found in the Bhishma-parva, chapters 25 to 42 of the Mahabharata and they are the exact words that Lord Krishna spoke in Sanskrit on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, India over five thousand years ago in 3137 B.C. And from those times, a day was dedicated towards the Gurus and this day is called as ‘Guru Purnima’. Purnima word is used because on this day, there is a full moon. During this day, Yajna is performed of all Geetaji’s (18) Chapters, followed by Langar or Prasad for everyone who comes to Satsang Bhawan. In evening, there is a Bhajan Sandhya after the normal Satsang time, in which Sadhak recite various Bhajans.
Incarnation day of Lord Krishna (Celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Shraavana (August–September)) – This day happens to be the most blessed and adorable day of the advent of Bhagvan Shri Krishna, which goes by the name of Shri Krishna Janamastami. Shri Krishna is considered as Jagat guru; he is the teacher of all teachers, the Guru of all Gurus – Krishnam vande jagadguru. On this day, we celebrate the incarnation of world’s greatest teacher, who gave us teaching and guidance in the form of Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta. The festival is celebrated in Satsang Bhawan by reciting Bhajans of Shri Krishna at around 10 P.M for around 2 hours, followed by Aarti of Lord Krishna.
Janam divas of Swami ji (Celebrated on 20th November) – During this day, our beloved Gurudev was born to take out the suffering of all the devotees in the later stages of his life. During this day, Yajna is performed of all Geetaji’s (18) Chapters, followed by Langar or Prasad for everyone who comes to Satsang Bhawan. In evening, there is a Bhajan Sandhya after the normal Satsang time and Aarti, in which Sadhak recite various Bhajans.
Geeta Jayanti (Celebrated on the Shukla Ekadasi, 11th day of the waxing moon of Margashirsha month (November-December)) – This festival is celebrated by all devotees, who revere Bhagvad Geeta as their Divine Mother because she teaches us (in a non-sectarian and scientific manner) how to re-establish our lost relationship with God Almighty (The Supreme), our Divine Father. During this day, Yajna is performed of all Geetaji’s (18) Chapters, followed by Langar or Prasad for everyone who comes to Satsang Bhawan. In evening, there is a Bhajan Sandhya after the normal Satsang time and Aarti, in which Sadhak recite various Bhajans.
Kartika Maas (Kartika begins with the new moon in November and is the eighth month of the year, according to Hindu Calendar) – Kartika maas, according to Gurudev, is the time when we can make Lord Krishna most happy with our good deeds. During this month, people from different parts of India come at Satsang Bhawan to perform Morning Yajna (4 A.M) of 12th Chapter of Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta ji followed by seva in various parts of Satsang Bhawan.
Nirvana Diwas of Swami Geetanand ji (16th January) – This day (16th January, 2004), Swami Geetanand ji left us in bodily form. This was the time when he left the suffering from this world and attained complete peace with God. Swami ji is always with us in form of Satsangs, guidance and inspiration. During this day, Yajna is performed of all Geetaji’s (18) Chapters, followed by Langar or Prasad for everyone who comes to Satsang Bhawan.