From 5–9 November 2025, something extraordinary unfolded in the sacred land of Puri. It was not just a gathering of seekers; it became a living, breathing experience of bhakti, where devotion moved beyond concepts and turned into something deeply felt.
Even before the official beginning, the Shivir had already set its tone. As devotees arrived early, the space naturally filled with kirtan, creating a spontaneous and heartfelt welcome for Swamiji. The energy was immediate and powerful. Every corner reflected months of dedicated seva, personally blessed by Swamiji as He walked through the preparations, uplifting volunteers and acknowledging their devotion. There was a quiet sense that something deeply transformative was about to begin.
What made Puri unique was not just its history, but its vibration. It is said that when you chant the divine name sincerely, grace flows. But when that same chanting happens in a Dham, where every particle resonates with Hari Naam, the experience multiplies. Here, one did not need to try too hard to connect; the environment itself carried everyone inward. With Swamiji’s guidance, sadhaks entered a rhythm of sadhana that included meditation, kirtan, satsang, seva, and the divine opportunity of darshan at the Jagannath Temple.
The first day itself felt like a journey inward. After lunch, devotees sat for Roopdhyan Sadhana, gently turning their minds towards the divine form of Shree Krishna. The same Bhagwan whom the Vedas describe as beyond thought began to feel deeply personal through meditation on His Braj Leelas. The hall became silent, yet full, as everyone sank into that inner space of peace. But this stillness soon transformed into celebration. The atmosphere turned vibrant with Hari Naam dancing, where chants of “Jai Jagannath” filled the air with joy and surrender. Later, during the Parikrama, as Swamiji led the chanting of “Radhey Govind,” something shifted within. It no longer felt like participation; it felt like release, like a gentle healing of the heart.
One of the most powerful insights of the Shivir came through Swamiji’s discourse on the Gopi Geet. He brought clarity to a question many carried: what truly made a Gopi? It was not external appearance or role, but inner alignment. A Gopi was one whose heart was decorated with divine qualities, who lived in selfless love for Shree Krishna, and who found joy not in personal gain but in His happiness. This understanding moved bhakti from something practised occasionally to something that could be lived. It became an identity rooted in surrender, where every situation was accepted as His grace.
As the days unfolded, even nature became a teacher. At sunrise by the ocean, during Hari Naam Sankirtan, Swamiji drew attention to the vastness of the sea. Standing before it, one’s ego naturally softened. There was a realisation of how small personal worries, pride, and the sense of control truly were. The ocean, despite its immensity, remained calm and grounded. It quietly reminded everyone that humility was not weakness; it was the foundation of true bhakti.
When the heart becomes humble, grace flows effortlessly!
The second day carried this depth into expression. Devotees participated in the sacred Panchamrit Abhishek of Shree Radha Krishna, where devotion took a ritual form, filled with beauty and reverence. By evening, the Mehfil brought another dimension of bhakti, where music and dance became offerings. Children and adults came together, sharing their devotion with innocence and enthusiasm. In Swamiji’s presence, even these artistic expressions felt deeply spiritual. The day gently closed with Aarti, leaving behind a sense of peace and gratitude.
One of the most unforgettable experiences of the Shivir was the early morning Nagar Sankirtan along the Bada Danda. Walking together, chanting Hari Naam, devotees moved as one, echoing the devotion of saints like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was not just a walk through the streets; it became a moving meditation. As the group approached the Jagannath Mandir, emotions rose naturally. There was a deep sense of surrender, of being carried by something greater than oneself. And in that final moment of darshan, it felt as though everything dissolved into the Divine, like rivers merging into the ocean.
By then, it became clear that the Shivir was not about stepping away from life, but about learning how to return to it differently. Knowledge was not just understood; it was experienced. Practices were not performed mechanically; they became joyful. And devotion was no longer an effort; it began to feel natural.
In the sacred presence of Bhagwan Jagannath and under Swamiji’s guidance, something within shifted quietly but deeply. One may have arrived seeking answers, but left with something far more valuable, a new way of experiencing life itself through bhakti.
