It was the time when Sidhbari was hardly known, and the amenities in the ashram were the bare essentials. There were hardly any cottages or even beds. Yet, the sheer power of Gurudev’s discourses and the exalted subject matter swept everyone off their feet into a realm beyond physical wants.

Those first five camps were a magical penance with a routine that reined in the wandering senses and redefined time. Pujya Gurudev encouraged all to use the spiritual retreat as a time to embark on a single-pointed quest for the Highest. It was a time for temporary sannyas – to renounce the noisy wants of the world and step into the silence of the Self.

The 5 am meditation sessions with Gurudev were blissful. The eloquent brilliance of Gurudev’s examples in his daily discourses at 6:30 am and 7:30 pm had the audience spellbound. Gurudev directed delegates to walk in solitude through the pine forest for some time in the day to introspect in deep silence. The discussions and question-answer sessions with Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya, the first Acharya of Sandeepany Himalayas, increased understanding. The evening satsangs in the ethereal dusk of Sidhbari uplifted all to the peaks of reflective stillness.

While the intellect was steered toward clarity, the heart was softened to experience the purity of devotion. The collective Vishnu Sahasranama Archana and the trip to the stream to offer the flower petals after the puja made hearts soar and sing with divine joy. The Paada pujas offered to Pujya Gurudev’s holy Feet were full of  reverence. 

The fragrance of knowledge and devotion also came through in the routine of those camps when all attendees could assist and volunteer in different ways during the days.

There were other special events that made these early camps stand out even more. The Dalai Lama visited Chinmaya Tapovan for a special satsang on October 3rd, 1981 during the third camp. 

Oct.27th, 1981, during the fifth camp, Pujya Gurudev consecrated the very special idols of Sri Kirata Murti Shiva and Parvati along with Lord Ganesha in an intricately carved Mandap inside the Satsang Hall. He narrated the story of Arjuna being blessed with the Pashupataastra after Shiva, in a hunter’s guise, tested and wiped out Arjuna’s arrogance. Arjuna learned the importance of humility and complete surrender.  

Even today, those reigning idols inside the Satsang Hall are Pujya Gurudev’s reminder to us about the importance of surrendering our vasanas during satsang.

When the final camp of the first Vivekachoodamani series concluded on Oct.28th, 1981, Gurudev conducted the landmark convocation ceremony, a tradition he had started since the first camp. Pujya Gurudev applied the chandana tilaka to bless each attendee and gave a certificate to recognize the completion of the verses in that session. Then, each attendee carried a lamp lit from the Akhanda Jyoti at Swami Tapovan Maharaj’s altar  and  placed it on their home-states on a map of Bharat. With that unique ritual, Pujya Gurudev emphasized the importance of each seeker spreading the light of knowledge in their hometowns.

Pujya Gurudev conducted about 43 camps in Sidhbari expounding on a vast range of introductory and Upanishadic texts. In several of the camps, Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya melted hearts with his discourses on Tulsi Ramayana, sweetening the flowing Knowledge with nectarine devotion.

After those iconic camps of 1981, the flow of Knowledge, Jnana Ganga, from Sidhbari was incessant. Pujya Gurudev called the spiritual camps as a port for spiritual dry-docking. He said: “‘You all have come here for dry-docking, It is a must for spiritual Sadhaks. The ships, after a few voyages in the ocean, are dry-docked for a complete rehauling and repairs. It is absolutely necessary for spiritual Sadhaks to dry-dock to a quiet place like Siddhabari and listen to the spiritual Masters, deeply reflect on them and lift the mind in contemplation on the Reality. This constant listening, thinking and contemplating helps the corroded mind to drop all its dross that it gathered during its sojourn in the ocean of Samsaar. A mind thus repaired and properly tuned up, can expand and lift itself to a state of Pure Awareness and Bliss.”  

Chinmaya Tapovan Sidhbari is truly a vibrant spiritual port. Throughout the years, many Swamis and Acharyas ferry their devotees from all over the world to ‘dock’ in the soothing serenity of Sidhbari. Spiritual camps in Hindi, English, and the regional Indian languages are conducted regularly, and the camp routine that Pujya Gurudev initiated is still implemented. Meditation, daily discourses, discussions, Q&A sessions, seva opportunities, bhajans, and the famous treks in the pine forests are key attractions. Pujya Gurudev’s Paduka Puja is a worshipful experience. And, the field trips to the Gaushala and CORD premises are cherished by all.

The camps also reach out to a varied audience. Chinmaya Tapovan Trust graciously hosts yearly CHYK camps, management camps, educational trips from Chinmaya Vidyalayas and colleges. The complete experience in Sidhbari is an uplifting, continuous blessing.

The first Hanuman Mastakabhishekam completed on Oct.10th, 1982, showered the funds to lay the foundation for a unique temple – the first temple for Sri Rama and His Consort Sita in the Himachal land where, though Tulsi Ramayana was revered, most temples were for Devi or Shakti. 

On March 6th, 1983, during the Bhoomi puja, Pujya Gurudev remarked that the temple would be a Setu, bridging the cultures of North and South. And, the idols to adorn the temple were Vanavaasi Rama and Sita – their austerely beautiful forms during their exiled 14-year forest life. The idols were carved from soft black stone by a famous sculptor Sri B. Basavanna of Mysore. 

While explaining the significance of the Vedic rituals after the Bhoomi Puja, as the divine idols of Sri Rama and Maata Sita were unveiled,  Pujya Gurudev, with His typical humour, pointed out that “Lakshmana had gone to collect fruits!” Maybe Pujya Gurudev wanted us to remember that Lakshmana-like Vairagya must be in our hearts in a life of Tapas and Bhakti. 

The Dhaanya Adhivaasa ritual on March 6th, 1983, was highly significant. The exquisite idols of Sri Rama Sita gracefully placed on a bed of grains to await installation were a heavenly sight. When people offered grains and even silver coins to the idols, Pujya Gurudev emphasized the importance of surrender, both spiritual and material. 

A rare aspect of the Vanavaasi Ram Mandir is how the main altar of the temple is truly and literally founded on intense worldwide prayers. In response to Gurudev’s call for a Likhita Japa Yajna, 7844 devotees from 24 countries wrote “Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram.” The total count of the written Japa was 28,84,875 when they were reverentially placed in the enclosure below the inner shrine.

Pujya Gurudev carefully planned the location of the Ramaalaya such that the eyes of Sidhbari Veera Hanumanji could forever rest at the Lotus Feet of His beloved Lord Rama. And, Pujya Gurudev emphasized how the ‘Kurma’ placed in the threshold of Sri Ram Mandir reminds devotees to withdraw all wandering senses for a fulfilling darshan of Bhagavan Rama.

The Mandir construction was completed in a record six months. Pujya Gurudev once remarked that “Hanumanji Himself was literally building the temple!” The entire Mandir is an aesthetic masterpiece of sacred beauty and symbolism.

In the video excerpts below, Sri Hemachandrudu of Lakshmi Constructions, Chennai, recalls the large-hearted love of Pujya Gurudev when credits were given for the temple construction.

The Kumbhabhishekam of the Vanavaasi Ram Mandir was a momentous three-day celebration with notable events. Oct.21st, 1983, began with Pujya Gurudev initiating a great blessing to Chinmaya Mission’s future. In a special diksha ceremony, Brni Yamuna Devi became Swamini Gangananda and Br. Radhakrishnan became Swami Jyotirmayananda. Br. Vivek Chaitanya, the first acharya of Sandeepany Himalayas was given sannyasa diksha to become the beloved Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, the global head of Chinmaya Mission from 1993 to 2016. 

The whole atmosphere of Chinmaya Tapovan ashram was surcharged with spiritual vibrations on Oct.22nd when the newly initiated Swamis performed Kumbhabhishekam amid akhanda chanting of “Om Rama Ramaya Namah,” preliminary homa, pujas, archanas, and a Kalasha procession – all conducted flawlessly in Vedic style which filled the hearts of everyone.

Later on, when Pujya Gurudev performed Prana Pratishta to invoke Bhagavan’s Presence in the idols within the temple, the faces of Vanavaasi Rama Sita shone with a divine glow.

The consecration continued on Oct.23rd with the installation of Lord Ganesha and the Utsava Murtis – the idols of Ram Parivar. 

Rare is the opportunity to witness a temple’s consecration. The devotees in Sidhbari, from the Governor of Himachal Pradesh to the simple Pahadi villager, were overjoyed by the grand celebrations of the Maha Kumbhabhisekham. 

Today, as we prostrate inside that incomparable Vanavaasi Ram Sita Mandir in Sidhbari, we realize that here is an auspicious sanctum where Pujya Gurudev showed us the joy of penance, purity, deep faith, and devoted work. 

Awe-inspiring, alert, and magnificent, Vayuputra Shri Hanuman is a powerful presence in the Chinmaya ashram at Sidhbari. Calming the gusty winds across an open landscape with His powerful yet compassionate glance, the majestic Lord sits in veerasana ready to serve both Shri Ram whom He holds in His heart and the devotees who adore and approach Him.

It was the vision of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda that sketched the arrival of the 22-feet idol of Shri Hanumanji at Sidhbari. Seeing how the fertile land of Sidhbari stood bare because of the strong winds, Pujya Gurudev invoked the Presence of Vayuputra Hanuman. His simple sketch in a letter (1981) to a longtime devotee marked the birth of the 16-feet towering idol atop a 6-feet pedestal. Gurudev knew – where the son will be, the Wind-God father will move with gentle affection! Thus was invited Vayuputra Shri Hanuman to watch over the Sidhbari ashram as construction progressed smoothly.

The son of Wind-God would be gigantic. As the Tejasvi Amshavatara, the son of Lord Shiva born in Mother Anjana’s womb through Vayu as His instrument, the Vayuputra had to be there to serve and support future growth. Though He held His mace (gadha) with powerful grace, He would kneel in devotion, ready to serve His Lord Rama who would arrive in the ashram a few years later! As Hanumanji took form in Sidhbari, the winds grew calmer, and the land rejoiced with lush fertile growth.

Here is a transcript of the interview with Shri Kashinath Shilpi and his crew who came to sculpt the splendid Shri Hanumanji. After the Vayuputra idol was completed and stood victorious in Sidhbari, divinity manifested all around in the structures built. The massive Shivalingam that crowned Pujya Gurudev’s kutiya signaled auspiciousness all around, and the idol of Nandi in front of the kutiya was the ready vehicle for service.

In Sidhbari’s contemplative atmosphere, at the Himalayan foothills, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda aimed to establish a Vedantic Gurukula in Hindi to spread the glory of Hindu scriptures and Sanatana Dharma. So, when the basic infrastructure in Chinmaya Tapovan ashram was ready, Sandeepany HIM (Himalayas) was inaugurated in a two-day event by Pujya Gurudev with joyous prayers and celebration.  Sandeepany Himalayas, Sidhbari, would be the site for the Vedanta course in Hindi.

On April 25th, 1981, the Managing Trustee, Sri Jagadish Prasad, welcomed an eager gathering and spoke about the hurdles that CTT had crossed to reach the inaugural milestone that day.  Then, Br. Vivek Chaitanya, who was chosen to be the first Acharya of the Hindi course, spoke on “Our Students,” explaining the process of how brahmacharis were selected for the course. After that, he lit the Jyoti to symbolize that the ‘Lamp of Knowledge’ would burn bright at Chinmaya Tapovan ashram.

As the Chief Guest that day, Dr. Karan Singh, a Vedic scholar and statesman, applauded the efforts of Chinmaya Mission in spearheading the noble art of man-making during his address. Sri Hardayal, the Minister of Forests, presided over the ceremony. Pujya Gurudev then eloquently outlined the work and vision of CM, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.

The festivities also included a Pahadi lunch – another example of how Pujya Gurudev included the villagers in all undertakings at Chinmaya Tapovan. The Vishnu Sahasranaama archana conducted in the Satsang hall that evening and the Rudra-Path on the morning of April 26th were Gurudev’s way of showing how the path to knowledge is through devotion.

On April 26th, Pujya Gurudev shared his visionary plan for Sandeepany (HIM) in the session where Sri Ram Lal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh at that time, presided as the chief guest. The Himachal government assured full cooperation for the initiatives at Chinmaya Tapovan ashram. Sandeepany (HIM) had a memorable start.

It was at Sandeepany (HIM) that Pujya Gurudev conferred sannyasa diksha on Brahmachari Vivek on October 21st, 1983, to give us Swami Tejomayananda, Pujya Guruji, who became the global head of Chinmaya Mission from 1993 to the end of 2016. The Vedantic teaching that Swami Tejomayananda began in Sandeepany continues to this day with Pujya Gurudev’s Grace. Another beloved Resident Acharya of Sandeepany (HIM), Swami Subodhananda, taught three full Vedanta courses and transformed many. A notable contribution of Sandeepany (HIM)  is that it was the holy site of sannyasa diksha for several senior Swamis since then.

The flow of Jnana and Bhakti have continued throughout the last 12 courses with the Chinmaya Guru Parampara illuminating the path to the Highest. The 13th Vedanta course concludes on May 8th, 2023, and the glorious learning will continue. 

Chinmaya Tapovan Trust which mindfully manages the ashram activities, shares how Sandeepany HIM continues to fulfill Pujya Gurudev’s vision: “Over 113 students are working for the Mission as of 2023. Many are Swamis now. The area of operation for students of Sandeepany HIM is predominantly those centers where the Hindi language is more prominent. They are posted mainly in centers which are in  Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, and Rajasthan, and some in Maharashtra and Gujarat.”

Chinmaya Tapovan Sidhbari is undoubtedly a Sandeepany Gurukula spreading the light of Vedantic Knowledge across Himachal Pradesh and other Hindi-speaking areas.