1st January is a special day for Shanti Mandir, Magod. Four years ago, Shanti Mandir established the Magod ashram on this day. On this day Bhagwan Nityanandji's moorti was installed three years ago. Since then the ashram at Magod has been constantly spreading the teachings and sadhana as taught by Baba Muktanandji through Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityanandji.

As it happens every year, the celebrations this year also for the anniversary of the ashram and installation of Bhagwan started from December 24th with Yuva (Youth)Shibir (Retreat). This time the Yuva Shibir was unique. The four young students of the ashram, namely Sadhvi, Navin Aastha and Krishna conducted the classes. It was amazing to see what they had learnt in a short time of their stay at the ashram. They discussed on the topics which are very subtle and vast.

Aastha talked about Sanskrit grammar, Sadhvi on Nyaya, Navin on Sankhya and Krishna on Puran. These lessons gave good exposure to the participants. It was a real test of the four young students since it is one thing to know something and the other when you have to explain the same to others. There were discussions at the end of the lessons and the four young students tried to clear the doubts of the participants at their best. Sometimes Acharya Jha had to help them to make the topics clear.

It was so wonderful when Krishna talked about the age of the Earth. The participants whether young or old were thrilled to know about the unit of time that we are usually acquainted with and the different units not so commonly known like Chaturyuga etc.

Apart from the morning lessons by the young students there were afternoon sessions wherein Madan Gopal Sharmaji taught various Dohas (Couplets) and praises. Thus it seemed that the morning sessions were on Jnan (Knowledge) and the afternoon sessions were on Bhakti (Devotion).

Along with these great teachings, the young and old also played volleyball and cricket. So either there was satsangs going on or the games. People wondered with the sleep of only around 4-5 hours, everyone was so fresh and energetic eager to learn more or to play the games. The bones were aching for those who were not used to playing but the joy was so much that everyone wanted to play.

On 31st evening we chanted after the evening aarati and Shiv Mahimnah Stotra. After chanting we were served hot gota and masala milk. It was very cold. We all sat with the bonfire and needless to say volleyball again.

On 1st, the day began at 5:30 with Shree Guru Geeta. Then the abhishek and pooja of Bhagwan was done. The ceremony was performed by the young priests of the ashram- Navin and Krishna along with Nandu the priest from Ganeshpuri. From 9:30 the satsang again started with the chanting of Vitthala Vitthale Panduranga Vitthale. Aastha, Bhooma, Jawahar and others sang Bhajans. Several speakers then spoke about Ashram Dharma. After chanting: Om Guru Om Guru Om Gurudev, Jaya Guru Jaya Guru Jaya Gurudev, Gurudev spoke about the need of the Dharma in the present time. The function concluded with darshan and the delicious Bhandara.