Hosted by Shrimad Rajchandra Spiritual Center, USA, the 3-day Festival of Bliss opened on September 26 in the presence of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji at their 400-acre center in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
Over 3,000 people are converging in the serene environment of the retreat center in East Stroudsburg, PA, for what is aptly named ‘Festival of Bliss’. The organizers invited everyone to visit and listen to enlightening discourses by Gurudevshri that awaken the heart and pave the inner path. He is a spiritual visionary and global humanitarian who has touched countless lives, inspiring clarity, compassion, and inner calm. Several spiritual activities are designed at the event to help attendees reflect, recenter, and renew over three restorative days.
For followers of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD), India, founded by Gurudevshri Rakeshji, there is one more reason to feel blissful: the event in Pennsylvania is celebrating the commencement of his 60th birth anniversary on September 26. It also marks 20 Years of Grace in the United States — heartfelt tributes will be paid to his transformative impact across the country.
“To be happy, peaceful, blissful now and always is the essence of spirituality.”
~ Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji
Festival of Bliss Highlights
The thoughtfully curated Festival of Bliss features:
- Daily Spiritual Discourses by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji – Illuminating talks that inspire inner transformation.
- Devotional Music – Soulful performances by the renowned Sachin-Jigar duo.
- Mega Humanitarian Camp – Hands-on initiative bridging gaps in healthcare and packing meals for the underserved.
- Lakeside Ceremonies, Yoga, and Meditation – Opportunities to reconnect with nature and the self.
- Nature Walks – Exploring SRSC’s (Shrimad Rajchandra Spiritual Center) lake and serene forest trails.
- Atmarpit Diksha ceremony – Sacred initiation to a life of spiritual pursuit under the Guru’s guidance.
Attendees will participate in meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and spiritual growth workshops, designed to foster harmony between the mind, body, soul, and the surrounding natural environment. These experiences are designed not just for personal enrichment but to inspire participants to give back and engage with the broader Poconos community.
In keeping with Pujya Gurudevshri’s inspiration that spiritual life is as much about realizing one’s true self as it is about serving others selflessly, the Festival of Bliss is also a mega humanitarian event that bridges gaps in healthcare and education for the underserved. Already, SRSC has quietly undertaken many projects in the area.
During his current trip to the US, Gurudevshri has already given discourses in Toronto and Washington, DC, earlier this month.
Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji: Spiritual Visionary and Humanitarian
A spiritual visionary, humanitarian, and global peace ambassador, Gurudevshri Rakeshji has guided seekers worldwide on the path of Self-Realization. The founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD) draws inspiration from his spiritual Master, Shrimad Rajchandraji, who is well-known as Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual mentor.
Pujya Gurudevshri’s universal message emphasizes cultivating self-awareness, living with compassion, and serving others selflessly. “To be happy, peaceful, blissful now and always is the essence of spirituality,” he explains. He has led thousands of discourses and meditation retreats and addressed international forums across the globe.
His humanitarian vision has inspired Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC), a holistic initiative active across all continents, offering healthcare, humanitarian care, women’s care, child care, education, animal welfare, and environmental programs. In 2023, Gurudevshri was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Claremont School of Theology, Los Angeles, for his contributions to spirituality and selfless service.
About Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, India (SRMD)
SRMD, founded by Gurudevshri Rakeshji in 1994, is a spiritual movement for inner transformation through wisdom, meditation, and selfless service. The organization works through over 200 centers on six continents.
Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, the international headquarters of SRMD, spans 223 acres on the outskirts of Dharampur in southern Gujarat. Rakeshji chose Dharampur because it was sanctified by Shrimad Rajchandra with his presence in 1900. Hailed as Yugpurush, Shrimad Rajchandra was a saint, a reformer of Jainism, and a remarkable poet-philosopher of the late 19th century.
Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged Shrimad Rajchandra as his spiritual guide. Having met him and corresponded with him, Gandhiji wrote about him in 1930: “Such was the man who captivated my heart in religious matters as no other man has till now.”
SRMD-produced award-winning play Yugpurush: Mahatma na Mahatma, depicting the spiritual relationship between Shrimad Rajchandra and Mahatma Gandhi, has already staged over 1,000 shows in more than 300 cities worldwide.
About Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC)
Guided by Pujya Gurudevshri, SRLC offers a comprehensive, 360-degree holistic program dedicated to the welfare of humans, animals, and the environment. It is powered by genuine empathy, love and care of highly motivated volunteers serving selflessly. Awarded special consultative status by the United Nations ECOSOC, SRLC has impacted millions worldwide. Recently, SRLC’s Mission Africa was launched to address hunger, poverty, and unemployment in 16 nations of the continent.
About Shrimad Rajchandra Spiritual Center (SRSC)
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the Shrimad Rajchandra Spiritual Center (SRSC) is a 400-acre wellness and community center designed to promote healthy living, reflection, and service. Envisioned by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, SRSC is being developed as a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to recharge, learn practical tools for self-improvement, and connect with nature, while contributing positively to the local community and economy.
For more information about the Poconos event, visit: srmd.org/festival-of-bliss
Other websites: SRMD.org and SRLCusa.org
