Swami Chidananada, whose birth centenary is being celebrated all over India and abroad had devoted his life serving the lepers and poor people in the destitute home.
The 100 days celebration programme which started on June 16 came to an end today. This included prachar yatras, various state and inter-state conferences, dramas and many other events organised by the Divine Life Society (DLS).
India Post had issued a commemorative postage stamp on Swami Chidanand on May this year.
Sridhar Rao, as Swami Chidananda was known before taking sannyasa (embracing a life of renunciation), was born on September 24, 1916.
Chidananada joined the ashram of Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at Rishikesh in 1943. After joining the ashram he took charge of the dispensary and became famous as the man with the healing hand.
On Guru Purnima day, July 10, 1949, he was initiated into the holy order of Sannyasa by Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and came to be known as Swami Chidananda, a name which connotes: "one who is in the highest consciousness and bliss".
He Succeeded Swami Sivananda as President of the Divine Life Society (DLS) in Rishsikesh in 1963 and since then his life has been of almost continuous travel throughout India and to all continents of the globe to disseminate India's spiritual, cultural and yogic heritage to people all over.
In August 2008, Chidananda attained Mahasamadhi. He concentrated his whole life for the welfare, health, peace and happiness of the humanity at large.
Former President of India R Venkataraman had said about his experience with Swami, "I have been deeply impressed with the swamiji's teaching - the concept of Universal Religion and all religion worship."
Swami Chidananda was chosen president of the delegation for the Parliament of the World's Religions convened at Chicago in 1993 to commemorate the centenary of the epochal event of The Parliament of the World's Religions organised at Chicago in 1893.
The Sivanand ashram was started by Sivanand in the year 1934, on the bank of Ganga river.
Comparing swami Sivananda to Buddha, Former President APJ Abdul Kalam in his book Wings of Fire said, "I met Swami Sivananda- a man who looked like a Buddha."
Adding further Kalam said," My Muslim name aroused no reaction. Before I could speak any further, he inquired about the source of my sorrow. He offered no explanation of how he knew that I was sad and I did not ask."
Kalam met Sivananda in 1958. Telling Swami about his unsuccessful attempt to join the Indian Air Force and his long-cherished desire to fly, Kalam was told by the Swami to "accept your destiny and go ahead with your life."
"You are not destined to become an Air Force pilot. What you are destined to became is not revealed now but it is predetermined," Swami told him. Kalam came back to Delhi and joined DTD&P(Air).
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