Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra Serving Pilgrims
For many years, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) has been steadfastly operating a program to provide pilgrimage services:
- In 2014, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) launched a program to serve pilgrims on the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage throughout the month of Sawan.
- In 2022, VMRK extended its pilgrimage services program to support pilgrims participating in the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
- In 2023, VMRK further expanded the program by offering pilgrimage services at the Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple and the Shri Manimahesh Yatra.
- In 2024, VMRK continued to extend the program to serve devotees visiting Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple, and pilgrims participating in the Adi Kailash Yatra and the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra.
Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra
The annual pilgrimage, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, occurs from July to August, during which pilgrims visit the Amarnath Holy Cave to pay reverence to Lord Shiva in the form of an iced stalagmite Shiva Lingam. In 2022, Sant Baljit Singh Ji motivated Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra to serve the devotees and pilgrims visiting the cave.
Serving pilgrims at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2024
Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims undertake the yatra (pilgrimage) to the Amarnath Holy Cave, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that in this cave, Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of immortality and the creation of the Universe...
More services for pilgrims at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023
Vishav Mana Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) initially received approval to send three ambulances and provide a professional medical team for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023. A few days before the pilgrimage commenced, the Camp Director at Baltal requested VMRK to provide an...
Serving pilgrims at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023
During the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra annual pilgrimage, devotees and pilgrims undertake a multi-day journey to worship at the holy shrine at the Amarnath Holy Cave. This pilgrimage is a very difficult trek through mountainous terrain in the Jammu and Kashmir state in...
Serving at the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2022
During the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2022, devotees from all over India traveled to the Amarnath Holy Cave to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva in the form of an iced stalagmite Shiva Lingam. A record attendance was expected after its two year hiatus due to the COVID-19...
Reporting for service at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2022
On June 30, 2022, two fully equipped ambulances departed VMRK headquarters in Nawan Nagar on a 12 hour journey to the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir in Srinagar. Driving through the night, the ambulances arrived at their destination the next day on July 1,...
Preparing to serve at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2022
Located in the Himalayan sub-valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India, the Amarnath Holy Cave is home to the Shiva Lingam, revered by Hindus as the physical manifestation of Lord Shiva. At an altitude of 3,888 meters, the cave is covered in snow most of the year. In summer,...
Kanwar Yatra
Throughout the month of Sawan, one can see large numbers of the pilgrims walking along roads leading to the sacred rivers, such as the Ganges. Many make the journey with bare feet and balance on their shoulders a colorfully decorated pole, called a kanwar, which has containers suspended on either side. The pilgrims fill the containers with water from the sacred rivers, then carry it back to their native places, where they make a devotional offering of it in their local temples of Lord Shiva on Sawan Shivratri, the day devoted to Lord Shiva.
This annual pilgrimage, known as Kanwar Yatra, occurs during the monsoon season, so these pilgrims walk long distances in heavy rains, extreme humidity, and heat. The pilgrims wear saffron-colored clothes, and many wear malas (beads used for prayer and meditation) made from sacred rudraksha beads. Ancient Indian scriptures tell how Lord Shiva once came out of a deep meditation, and his tears fell to earth and turned into seeds that grew into rudraksha trees. Beads made from rudraksha tree seeds are known as “Lord Rudra’s teardrops.” The word rudraksha is a combination of two Sanskrit words—Rudra, the name of one of the forms of Lord Shiva, and aksha, teardrops. Especially during the month of Sawan, but also throughout the year, devotees wear sacred rudraksha malas in honor of Lord Shiva.
Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra serves these pilgrims with camps that offer medical care, free food, and resting places.
Kanwar Yatra 2024: 24-hour care and support
The annual Kanwar Yatra begins with the onset of the Sawan month. It is a pilgrimage marked by endurance, sacrifice, and devotion to Lord Shiva. The pilgrims, called kanwarias, walk hundreds of miles, often barefoot, to carry holy water from sacred rivers to their...
Kanwar Yatra 2023: serving amid nature’s fury
Every year, the auspicious month of Sawan or Shravan in the Hindu Calendar brings the most awaited journey for devotees, kanwarias, of Lord Shiva. July 3, 2023 saw the start of this year's pilgrimage of the kanwarias with their never-die spirit in spite of nature's...
Serving kanwarias at kanwar camps 2022
When the Kanwar Yatra resumed in 2022, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) promptly recommenced its charitable program of camps to support the kanwarias with medical care, food, refreshments, and rest. Read more in our blog post: Organizing the kanwar camps 2022. From...
Organizing the kanwar camps 2022
In 2022, the Kanwar Yatra resumed after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in previous years, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) received permission from local administrations to organize camps to serve the kanwarias (pilgrims). VMRK organized 53 camps in...
Kanwar Yatra pilgrims surge in lead up to Shivratri
Each year during the annual pilgrimage known as Kanwar Yatra, charitable organizations set up camps along the roadsides to provide amenities to serve the millions of pilgrims and support their devotion. Sant Baljit Singh Ji urged Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra to support...
Kanwar Yatra: devotion, sacrifice and endurance
On the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimages, the kanwarias (pilgrims) fast and walk for hundreds of miles, often in bare feet, to sacred rivers to collect holy water in containers attached to long poles. The kanwarias balance these poles on their shoulders as they make the...
Shri Manimahesh Yatra
The Shri Manimahesh Yatra is a pilgrimage to the foot of Manimahesh Kailash, a sacred mountain located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The name Manimahesh signifies the gem that sits on the top of Lord Shiva’s head. It is believed that Lord Shiva created the Divine abode of Manimahesh Kailash after marrying Goddess Parvati.
Every year, this yatra is undertaken in August or September, starting in the sixth month of the Hindu calendar (called Bhadon), on Janmashtami (the eighth day after the new moon). The yatra ends on Radha Ashtami (the eighth day after the full moon). Pilgrims undertake this yatra over 2–3 days, trekking on unpaved paths that are very rocky on steep mountainous terrain to reach the holy Manimahesh Lake situated at an altitude of 4,080 meters.
Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) is inspired by Sant Baljit Singh Ji to serve humanity. In 2023, VMRK extended its pilgrimage services by providing medical and ambulance services to serve the pilgrims during the Shri Manimahesh Yatra.
Medical services at Shri Manimahesh Yatra 2023
Every year, the Shri Manimahesh Yatra attracts many devotees and pilgrims to the foot of Manimahesh Kailash. This sacred mountain is located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The easiest and most popular pilgrimage route is from Chamba. On this route, the...
Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple
Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is one of the most revered temples in India. Located in the Bilaspur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the temple sits on top of a hill, 1,219 meters above sea level, and overlooks the gigantic Gobind Sagar Lake.
This holy shrine is dedicated to Shri Naina Devi, one of the forms of Goddess Shakti. Throughout the year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and devotees from all walks of life visit the temple for darshan of Maa Naina Devi (Mother Goddess). During auspicious occasions such as Shravan Ashtami, Chaitra Navratri, and Ashvin Navratri the temple organizes fairs or festivals (known as mela). Large crowds attend these festivals to participate in the unique rituals, cultural programs, and fairs. At these events, the temple also arranges free community services for those in need. In particular, medical camps are provided around the temple grounds during these festivals. In 2023, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra extended its pilgrimage services program by organizing two medical camps to serve the pilgrims and devotees during the Shravan Ashtami Mela at Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple.
2024 Shravan Ashtami Fair at Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple
The sacred Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is located on a hilltop in the Bilaspur district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Every year, the Shravan Ashtami Mela is organized at the Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple during the month of Shravan/Sawan. This 10-day mela (fair)...
2023 Shravan Ashtami Fair at Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple
Every year, the 10-day Shravan Ashtami Mela at the Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple attracts a daily influx of between 30,000 – 35,000 pilgrims. This year's heavy monsoon rainfall affected the turnout, with attendance decreasing to 10,000 – 15,000 pilgrims per day. Inspite...
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple located in Ayodhya in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, has historical significance. It is considered sacred, being the birthplace of Shri Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
People visit the temple to pay reverence to Lord Ram. Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) is taking the opportunity to serve them by offering free food.
Food services at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
The consecration of the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024 was a long awaited historic event in India. The nation commemorated the consecration in joyous celebration and VMRK centers participated in this momentous event with great zest and...
Celebrating consecration of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
On January 22, 2024, the Prime Minister of India led the consecration ceremony of Shri Ram’s idol at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Leading up to this day, he urged the nation to celebrate it as an auspicious occasion, akin to Diwali, by illuminating earthen lamps in...
Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple
Shree Satpashrungi Nivasini Devi temple is situated in the village Nanduri, within the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. The temple, located at an elevation of around 1,400 meters above sea level, sits on a hill surrounded by seven peaks.
The holy shrine is one of the sacred temples in the country dedicated to Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi, one of the forms of Goddess Shakti (Mother Goddess). While the temple attracts large gatherings of devotees around the year, there is a significant rise in numbers of devotees during various festivals celebrated at the temple, particularly the Chaitra (Spring) Navratri Utsav (festival). The temple celebrates these festivals with great enthusiasm and fervor, with devotees partaking in rituals and cultural events while seeking darshan of the goddess. In 2024, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra extended its pilgrimage services by providing free food and medical services to the devotees during the Chaitra Navratri Utsav at Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple.
2024 Chaitra Navratri Utsav at Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple
The annual Chaitra Navratri Utsav, celebrated at Shree Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Temple, commences with Ram Navami i.e. the ninth lunar day in the bright fortnight (i.e. between the new moon and full moon) of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April of the Gregorian...
Adi Kailash Yatra
Adi Kailash is a sacred mountain in the Himalayan range located in Jolingkong, Pithoragarh district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is believed to be one of the Panch Kailash (five divine abodes of Lord Shiva), which include Mount Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev, Kinnaur Kailash, and Manimahesh.
The Adi Kailash Yatra is a pilgrimage to the foot of Adi Kailash that traverses rocky and steep mountainous terrain at high altitude, with several streams flowing along the way. Pilgrims embark on a two-day road journey from Dharchula to Jolingkong, and then trek 2–3 kilometers to the foot of the mountain, situated at approximately 5,600 meters above sea level. This yatra is primarily undertaken by pilgrims during May and June.
In 2024, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) expanded the outreach of its pilgrimage services by providing medical, ambulance, and refreshment services to the pilgrims during the Adi Kailash Yatra.
Serving pilgrims at Adi Kailash Yatra 2024
Each year, thousands of pilgrims undertake a multi-day journey to the foot of Adi Kailash, the end-point of the yatra (pilgrimage). The yatra commences with a journey on an off-road vehicle from Dharchula town, the junction point for various routes across the state....
Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra
Shrikhand Mahadev is a sacred mountain believed to be one of the divine abodes of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is located in the Himalayan range, in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Each year, thousands of pilgrims undertake the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra. It is a pilgrimage to the pinnacle rock Shiva Lingam situated at the Shrikhand Mahadev peak, at an elevation of 5,200 meters. The yatra typically begins from Jaon village, where pilgrims embark on a 32-kilometer trek to the peak. This one-way trek usually takes 2–3 days to complete. The entire path of this pilgrimage trek is arduous, traversing diverse mountainous terrains that include dense forests, steep and rocky meadows, and glacier-covered regions. The yatra is officially permitted typically in July.
In 2024, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) inspired by Sant Baljit Singh Ji, extended its pilgrimage services by providing medical services to pilgrims during the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra.
Serving pilgrims at Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra 2024
Annually, thousands of pilgrims undertake the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra (pilgrimage) to reach the peak of Shrikhand Mahadev at an elevation of 5,200 meters. At the peak, pilgrims pay reverence to Lord Shiva, in the form of 72-foot pinnacle rock Shiva Lingam. The most...
Serve everyone as part of the family of God.
Sant Baljit Singh Ji