- Darsanalaya Ashram
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Darsanalaya
With the People for GoodnessDarsanalaya Ashram Establishment Mission Centre Functioning Style Indian Christianity Established Yr. 1996 Patron Blessed Chavara Congregation CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) Territory Archdiocese of Delhi Management Darsanalaya Society Activities Rural Development Education Social Integration Herbal Research Alternative Healthcare Religious Harmony Sheethali Chikithsa Christianity
in IndiaBackground People - St. Thomas the Apostle
- St. Francis Xavier
- St. Gonsalo Garcia
- Devasahayam Pillai
- St. Alphonsa Muttathupadam
- Thomas of Cana
- Mother Teresa
- Palackal Thoma Malpan
- Mar Augustine Kandathil
- Mar Sapor and Prodh
- Marthoma Metrans
- St. Gregorios of Parumala
- St. Baselios Eldho
- Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara
- Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly
- Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran
- William Carey
Churches - St. Thomas Christians:
- Malankara (historical)
- Chaldean Syrian
- Jacobite Syrian
- Malankara Orthodox Syrian
- Malabar Independent Syrian
- Mar Thoma
- St. Thomas Evangelical
- Syro-Malabar Catholic
- Syro-Malankara Catholic
- Latin Rite:
- Latin Catholic
- Protestant denominations:
- Andhra Evangelical Lutheran
- Church of North India
- Church of South India
- Garo Baptist
- Pentecostal Church of God
- North Bank Baptist Christian
- Northern Evangelical Lutheran
- Presbyterian
- The Pentecostal Mission
- Seventh-day Adventist
- True Jesus
- United Evangelical Lutheran
Indian Christianity portal Darsanalaya is an Indian Christian ashram under the territory of Archdiocese of Delhi and belongs to one of the mission centers of S H Province[1] of CMI Congregation. Action in Contemplation is the concept of Darsanalaya Ashram. People from all walks; irrespective of cast, creed and faith is behind the functions of the Darsanalaya and the peaceful ambiance of Ashram. All those who visit Darsanalaya are well absorbed to this ambiance irrespective of age / health. Hope radiates in the gentle, calm and serene surroundings. Darsanalaya Ashram [2] committed to the Vision ‘With the People for Goodness’ and Mission to ‘Create Equality, Solidarity and Friendship among People’
Contents
History
SH Province[3] has acquired about 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land in 1996 to set up a mission (Catholic missions) centre at Chandpur Village of Faridabad District, Haryana. After six years of initiation, the centre has introduced dynamic new approach to serve the people. Compassionate and friendly organizational skills of the missionaries well accepted by the people and Darsanalaya Ashram become an intimate centre for the local community. Long years of reflection, meditation and knowledge of herbal treatment; they could easily adopt and practice Social work, Community Development, Students Scholarship Program, AIDS Awareness Campaign, Yoga Therapy, Herbal, treatment, etc.
Overview
Darsanalaya Ashram has started with same spirit of Jesus Christ and Blessed Chavara.[4] It is a place of silence and solitude. The Ashram vicinity has powered with spiritual vibrations. This is an Ashram where people can come from all lifestyles irrespective of cast and creed. It is an Indian Christian Ashram for the search and social reformation in collaboration with other religions and religious sects.
Location
Darsanalaya Ashram located in a village area on the banks of Yamuna River. It is in a village called Chandpur, at 28°19′23″N 77°27′27″E / 28.323049°N 77.457457°ECoordinates: 28°19′23″N 77°27′27″E / 28.323049°N 77.457457°E and about 20 km away form Faridabad city of Haryana state in India. It is bounded by the National Capital Territory of Delhi National Capital Territory of Delhi on its north, Gurgaon Gurgaon District on the west, and Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh State on its east across Yamuna River. There are around 27 villages around this ashram.
Ethnic diversity
The village population is consisted of different casts and traditions. The main classes of people in this area are Jats, Rajputs, Brahmins, Ahirs, Banias, Harijans, Gujars. Almost all belong to agricultural communities. There are also categories like village artisans, craftsmen and certain other menials who helped in the agricultural operations. These included the village blacksmith, the carpenter, the oil man, the barber, the washer man, the village potter and some others.
Though the villages have improved in external appearance, the essence of village life remains the same. The life of villagers remains rooted in their age-old customs and traditions. The villagers have retained their essential frame work of rites and rituals, fairs and festivals, taboos and superstitions. The people remain deeply attached to the tribe, caste or sub caste to which they belong. Their social relations, marriages, eating, drinking, and other dealings are still endogamous. The impact of democracy, secularism or socialism is not so apparent. The tolerance, catholicity, simplicity and spontaneity have made rural life gay and enjoyable.
Since the Ashram is open to all and they often come with family or individually to participate in the activities of Ashram; to share their joy, sorrows and to pray together. Activities starts at 4.30 am.
Ambiance
Darsanalaya keeps an atmosphere of silence in and around the ashram vicinity. The people who visit the ashram enjoy the simple vegetarian food and fresh air with Yoga and meditation in the atmosphere of silence. Ashram has developed an idea of Garbhagraha Anubhava meditation (Womb Experience). Dr. Aji Sebastian the visionary and the Aacharya[5] (Director) of the Ashram were in silence for a year in Saccidananda Ashram,[6] at Narsinghpur, M.P state of India, for the experiment of Garbhagraha Anubhava.
In this busy world, people are in stress and confusion and they always run here and there for the solace. When a human being was in the womb of its mother, it was alone in its solitude. In this busy world, people forget the cause of their life, i.e. solitude and Silence. Darsanalaya Ashram is a place to repose in the busy schedule of this world.
Ashram inmates observe and study the problems and issues of the world. The problems related to children, women, rich and poor, healthy and weak, family and society; each individual in the community is responsible for the things that happen in the society.
Darsanalaya serves for the Echo-Friendly life style and raise voice against the social evils like child labor, HIV/AIDS discrimination and its stigma, sex imbalance, abortion, women feticide, poverty, sexual abuse and trying to promote value based education in rural and urban areas, Religious harmony and Ecumenical fellowship, Creating Equality, Solidarity and Friendship among people.
Darsanalaya Ashram and its activities originate from the deeper levels of meditation in solitude and silence. The Divine energy that receive from the meditation moves to the social activities. Many people from far and near are the members of Darsanalaya family; and behind the Darsanalaya Ashram's humanitarian and developmental activities. The vision of the ashram been fulfilled, ‘with the people for the goodness’.
Activities
Activities of Darsanalaya Ashram [7] is governed by the registered body of Darsanalaya Society, which is a Charitable Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 (Reg. No. S-55211 of 2006) by the Darsanalaya Ashram with a view to plan, organize, unify and implement Socio-economic, educational and health – care activities of the Darsanalaya Ashram. The all round welfare of those who depend on agriculture, the working class, the poor and the indigent, irrespective of cast, creed or religion is the goal of the society.
The society had registered for the smooth functions of the Darsanalaya Ashram's charitable and humanitarian activities. The society tries its best to collaborate with like-minded people in this field and cherish the activities of society by teamwork. Darsanalaya is associating with government and other local NGOs of the area for social enhancement. Society is involved in different types of awareness programs through art and Media especially on HIV/AIDS discrimination and its stigma, sex imbalance, abortion, women feticide, poverty, sexual abuse and trying to promote value based education in rural and urban areas, religious harmony etc. Society is involved in the medical promotion through giving awareness training and treating the people with different types of herbs. Society is also involved in the construction of a new generation through classes, and academic support to the children. It is actively involved in the inter-religious and ecumenical programs.
Institute
Darsanalaya Institute of Alternative Medicines and Research is an innovation of Darsanalaya Society and it is for Promotion and Research on Herbal Medicines. It has affiliated to Indian Board of Alternative Medicines.[8] As part of propagation of healing power of Herbal Medicines and arrange training programs in the Institute and in different states in association with local NGOs and government agencies.
Arogyalaya
Darsana Arogalaya is a 15-bedded Arogalaya (hospital) where herbal system of medicine (Sheethali Chikithsa)[9] is practiced. People from different parts of the country and abroad visits the Arogalaya for treatment. It has consulting centers in different parts of the country.
The inspiration to Nava Darsan is from the words of APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
"Dream, Dream, Dream
Dreams transform into thoughts
And thought result in action" (Ignited Minds, P.1)The idea of Nava Darsan (New Vision), value-added education program is originated form the group discussion of experts in the field of Academics, Social Scientists, Social Workers, Educationists, Artists, Film Directors, Politicians and Principals of CBSE Schools. The discussion resulted to formulate the objectives for Nava Darshan Education Program.
The aims and objectives of Nava Darshan Education Program:
• To promote value based classes.
• To give clear cut sex education.
• To find out the leadership qualities of the children.
• To create a stage for interaction and to widen their world.
• To create a sensitive generation for the future.
• To shape the youngsters into persons with a strong character and outgoing personality.
• To give dreams for the youngsters.
• To find out the talents of students.
• To provide counseling, yoga Training, and Meditation techniques to the children to reduce the stress and to increase the concentration and meaning in life.
• To make a better rapport between the parents, teachers and children.
• To conduct animation programs for teachers and parents through the schools.There are thousands of schools in government and private sectors. Over years of experience with the students and parents made it clear about a few issues related to this field. Stress among the students, Identity Crisis, Broken family relationships, Emotionally imbalanced teachers, the aimless life etc. were a few burning issues of study findings.
The society sponsors hundred and more brilliant and poor children from the villages. It is not only to provide little financial support, but to give formation to these children though seminars, talent shows, sports and games etc. Darsanalaya provide sponsorship to one hundred and thirty students for their studies from 13 schools around the Ashram. Nava Darshan aspirants have regular get-togethers, classes, seminars, sport and literary competitions etc.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.shprovince.org/history.htm S H Province
- ^ http://www.darsanalaya.org/home.html Darsanalaya Website
- ^ http://www.shprovince.org/hist.asp?inst=Darsanalaya%20Ashram,%20Faridabad Darsanalaya Ashram
- ^ http://www.blessedchavara.org Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara
- ^ http://www.darsanalaya.org/acharya.html Acharya of Darsanalaya Ashram
- ^ http://www.cmibhopal.in/houses.php?show=19 Saccidananda Ashram
- ^ http://chackalackal.blogspot.com/search/label/Herbal%20Medicine
- ^ http://www.altmedindia.com/board.htm
- ^ http://www.darsanalaya.org/sheethali.html
External links
Categories:- Roman Catholic Church organizations
- Catholic orders and societies
- Catholic spirituality
- Roman Catholic churches in India
- Community development
- Rural community development
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