This sacred place is said to be the same place where King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu and the grandson of Arjun, was delivered the katha of Srimad Bhagvat from Sukdevji Maharajji for seven continuous days as he sought to absolve himself of a curse. Along with him sat under the vat vriksh eighty-eight thousand saints.
The katha of Srimad Bhagvat has been lifting the hearts of people since time immemorial. The message of the katha pervades every particle of this sacred place. When devotees arrive at the compound, a sense of universal love, and peace of mind, overwhelms them. Their self-confidence also receives a unique boost. All this finds mention in the Bhagvat:
‘Tam Satyamanandnidhim Bhajet- nanyayatr sajjet yadatmpath (Satya, or truth, should be worshipped at this sacred place. No one should lose focus to suffer degradation and deterioration of the soul).
Akshya vat vriksh
Towering at a height of 150 feet, this five-thousand-one-hundred-year-old Akshay vriksh is verdant even today, casting soothing shadows and a sense of ‘quiet’ upon the temple premises. Its branches appear like hands showering blessings on devotees. The vat vriksh is perceived as a living symbol of Sukadevji by his followers. Like other vat vrikshas, fibrous parasitical roots do not emerge from this ancient tree. The mythology that surrounds the vat vriksh has turned it into an eternal symbol of forgiveness and peace.
Sources of inspiration for the revival of Shukteerth were the founders of the University of Banaras. They were: Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya ji, a famous scholar of India, the revered Shri Gokulnath ji Vallabthcaharya of the Mota Mandir, Mumbai, and the revered Shri Nimbarka Charya ji, Ramanujacharya ji and Shri Swami Krishnbodhashaam. These great personalities had urged Swami Kalyandevji to help revive and revitalise Shukteerth. Once, on the occasion of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, the renowned scholar of Srimad Bhagvat, the revered Shri Prabhu Dutt Brahamachari, accompanied Swamiji to the banks of the Ganges. When they arrived at the banks, he urged Swamiji to help restore Shukteerth’s past glory. It was on the banks of the Ganges that Swamiji vowed to transform the otherwise abandoned Shukteerth into a coveted destination for the devout.
The process of reviving Shukteerth began in 1944 with the revered Shri Kalyandevji performing a great religious sacrifice and oblation on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi in order to attain world peace. This was the period when India was under the British. The British officers had great respect for the revered Swamiji. Many great sages, scholars and devotees from all parts of the country were present on this great occasion. It is said that a religious sacrifice as great as the one the revered Swamiji carried out has not been performed in India since the days of Mahabharata. After completing this religious sacrifice, Swamiji left for Shukteerth, which looked like a barren forestland those days, and was inhabitable. Ferocious beasts like tigers and leopards used to stalk the area at that time. The vat vriksha was still there, but stood precariously on a mound of sand, and was on the verge of ruin. . The devotees used to come here in groups to avoid being mauled by the beasts. After a quick offering of Gangajal and a darshan of the wooden sandals of God Suka Devji kept under the vat vriksh, they used to leave for home before dusk. Apart from a motley bunch of devotees and a handful of spiritual leaders, few at that time knew about Shukteerth’s existence.
Given this perilous situation at the holy site, the task of restoring glory to the place was onerous. But not onerous enough to dissuade Swamiji. To achieve this goal, he meditated under the vat vriksh. It is said that one day, when the Swamiji was meditating at night, Suka Devji presented himself and showered his blessings on him. Having imbibed divine power, Swamiji performed the Srimad Bhagwat pooja continuously for one year under the Vat Vriksha. To witness a watershed in India’s religious history, many great scholars from Varanasi and Vrindavan were invited. The expenses for this one-year-long pooja were borne by his devotee, Shri Shambhu Nath Goenka, a resident of Delhi. It was not long before this pooja began producing miracles.
Shri Sukadev ji Ashram Seva Samiti
In was in the same year, 1944, that Swamiji constituted the Shri Sukdev Ashram Sewa Samiti. He chose all well-known personalities of the region as members of the samiti. These personalities helped and co-operated with Shri Swamiji as he began carving out a beautiful place from the deadly forest. In the first election of the samiti, those elected to the samiti were: (Please see page No …) Thereafter, the elections of the samiti have been held in keeping with its Constitution. Lala Brahmswaroop ji, bar-at-law, had been the samiti’s president for many years.
Historical resurrection of a sacred mound
As one of the main aims of Swamiji was to keep the vat vriksh from falling, he turned the sand mound into a concrete plinth with the cooperation of generous devotees. In this endeavour, Swamiji was assisted by Lala Rajender Lal and Lala Narender Lalji, the sons of former Chief Justice of Punjab. They spent lakhs of rupees on this project. In fact, they were inspired by Prof. Shri Rama Nandji and Shri Shiv Kumarji to take up this noble cause. Not just them, Lala Sohan Lalaji and Lala Manohar Lalaji, who were landlords at Suktal, had saplings planted around the mound. Today, this mound, called the Sukteela, is the pride of Shukteerth.
Shri Sukdev Temple
Right under the vat vriksh is one ancient Chatree. This Chatree (a Sukdev temple) was reconstructed using white marbles and the entire work was funded by Gujarati devotees. In this temple are the statues of Sukdevji Maharaj and king Parikshit, and their footprints. These statues symbolise Bhagvat Darshan. Next to this ancient temple is the newly-constructed Sukdev temple, beautiful in its solitary splendour.
But setting up this temple was not an easy process in spite of the adequate funding it had received. Before it was constructed, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviyaji told Swamiji that the foundation stone of the Sukdev temple should be laid by a religious personality who has never drunk water from any place of rest or a hotel. After a prolonged search, the king of Alwar, Raja Tej Singh, was chosen for this purpose. It was he who laid the foundation stone, marking the beginning of a glorious era of religious activity.
Arrival of the king of Alwar
On the invitation of Swamiji, Raja Tej Singh arrived at Shukteerth on 18th November, 1945. The occasion was solemnised with the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra one crore times. He himself performed the bhumi pooja for the Sukdev Temple.
On 3rd October, 1948, Shri N V Gadgil, the then Minister for Works, Mines and Power, Government of India, arrived at Suktar on the invitation of Swamiji and foundation stone of the temple was laid by him.
Idol consecrating ceremony
The then Union Home Minister, Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda, inaugurated the idol installation ceremony on 27th April, 1956, in the courtyard of Shri Sukdev temple in the presence of Supreme Shri 1008 Swami Akhandanandji Maharaj Saraswati of Vrindavan, a great scholar of the Vedanta system of philosophy. Devout Seth Kundanlalji Malik of Bijnour presented the beautiful idols made of marbles.
Hanuman Temple
A beautiful Hanuman temple is located under the vat vriksh and to the right of the huge temple of Maharishi Sukdevji. Brahmadesh, today’s Thailand, saw an uprising at one point in time in modern history. During this period, Indians left their businesses in Brahmadesh to return home. One cloth merchant, Seth Lala Sant Ram Leela Niranjan, and his family, had been living in Brahmadesh. Due to some reason, this merchant could not return to India and had to face problems as the revolution gathered momentum. His wife, Smt Saraswati Devi, was a devotee of Hanumanji. She prayed to Hanumanji that if she and her family could return home safely, she would construct a Hanuman temple at some holy place in India. As things turned out, the very next day, a servant informed her that a plane was ready to fly to India, and that she could take this flight immediately. It was not long before the entire family was back in India, away from their plight in Brahmadesh. This was a miracle of Hanumanji.
Originally, this cloth merchant belonged to Bhivani in Haryana where Swamiji used to address congregations from time to time. During once such religious gathering, as providence would have it, the Swamiji and Smt Saraswati Devi met. She then narrated the story of her return to India to Swamiji. Thereafter, Swamiji inspired her to construct a Hanuman Temple.
The foundation stone of the temple was laid by Shri J.P. Sriwastava, Member-Viceroy of the council. The temple was inaugurated by the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the then Governor of Bihar, Shri Anant Shayanam Ayanger, on 21st April, 1962.
Enclosure for religious sacrifice
At the main gate of Shri Sukdev Ashram and to the right of the Sukdev temple, a huge enclosure for religious sacrifices is located. Inspired by Swamiji, the enclosure was constructed by Rai Bahadur Seth Goojarmal Modi, a resident of Modi Nagar, in Uttar Pradesh. The foundation stone of this place of sacrifice was laid by the then Minister for Education and Home of UP, Pandit Kamlapati Tripathi, on 14th May, 1959.
The enclosure was inaugurated by Dr Sampurna Nand, the then Chief Minister of UP, on 15th November, 1959. At this enclosure, a daily yagna is performed with the chanting of mantras and shlokas from the Veda, the Geeta and the Srimad Bhagvatam. Swamiji inspires everybody to perform the daily yagna, for he believes that yagna purifies the surroundings. His belief that performing of yagnas can bring rains in drought conditions, is echoed in the following shloka of the Bhagwad Gita:
Annad bhavanti bhutani parjanyat annsambhavah
Yajnat bhavati parjanyo yajnah karma samudbhava.
‘Food begets beings; rain begets food; yagna begets rains; and karma begets yagna.’
In other words, yagna caters to the welfare of all, as it is the basis of evolution. In keeping with this philosophy, Swamiji Maharaj has been performing yagnas at almost all the sacred places of India. When he arrives at the ashram here, he prefers to sit inside the yagnashala where a small, colourful garden adds to the ambience.
Gita Bhavan
Situated on the way towards the stairs leading to the main temple, this bhavan nestles pretty within the beautiful compound. The bhavan was constructed by Shri Baij Nath Baijal, Executive Engineer, Department of Irrigation, Muzaffarpur, in the memory of his wife Devi Baijal. The foundation stone was laid by the then Governor of Punjab, Shri V N Gadgil, on 23rd April, 1960. One unique feature of this bhavan is a seat made of marble for Vyassa. The huge hall in the bhavan can accommodate at least five hundred people. A discourse on the messages of the Gita, and a Srimad Bhagvat Katha week, are some of the bhavan’s main events.
Bhagvan Shankar Mandir
The huge Bhagvan Shankar temple is located in the front of the Gita Bhavan and to the north-west of the Sukdev Mandir. Once again, it was the Swamiji whose inspiration led to the construction of this temple. Driven by his inspiration, his follower Rai Bahadur Seth Girdhari Lal Bajaj, a mill owner in Ghaziabad, funded the construction of the temple. The ceremony of consecrating the idol at this temple was performed by Param Hans Poojayapad Shri Swami Krishnabodhaashram ji Maharaj and the then Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Badrika Asharam on Samwat 2024. A devotee can have a panchayatan view of Bhagvan Shanker in this temple where devotees carrying Gangajal as an offering arrive from Haridwar. This is a popular Shiv mandir of this region.
The temple of Maryada Purushottam Bhagvan Ram
The construction of the temple of Ram was completed on 2nd April, 1988, by devotees hailing from Muzaffarnagar. Needless to say, they, too, were inspired to do so by Swamiji.
‘Shivdrohi mam das kahawa! So nar sapnehun mohi nahin bhava!’
The Bhagvati Shakambhari Mandir
This towering temple of Ma Bhagvati is located on a mound which is to the west of the Bhagvan Shankar Mandir, about 100 metres from the Sukdev Mandir. In this sacred place once was performed a restraint-week by the great personality and a supreme ascetic, Ma Anandmayee. This even was witnessed among others by the famous industrialist, Rai Bahadur Sahib Seth Goojarmal, of Modi Nagar, and his wife Sethani Shrimati Dayawati Modi. On this occasion, Ma Anandmayee motivated Sethani Shrimati Dayawati Modi to constructed a Shakambhari Mandir in this sacred place. Shrimati Dayawanti Modi, inspired by Ma Anandmayee, went ahead and constructed this temple. She was assisted in her endeavour by Swamiji.
The foundation stone-laying and idol consecrating ceremonies were performed by Ma Anandmayee herself, on Samvat 2023. The temple was inaugurated by the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh on the 23rd March,1965. This temple houses the idol of Devi Durga.
Sanskrit Mahavidayalaya
Swamiji founded a number of educational institutions in different parts of the country. In order to keep alive the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, which has formed the basis of many other international languages, Swamiji set up a Sanskrit Mahavidayalaya within the ashram premises.
Sanskritye Vaynat nityam Sanskritasya niradarat
This means that a deterioration in culture and diminishing respect for the language had weakened the basic tenets on which the country were to flourish. To revive the language, Swamiji founded the Sanskrit Pathshala. This institution is affiliated to and recognised by the Sanskrit Vishwa- vidyalaya, Varanasi. This has been functioning smoothly for the past forty years.
The institute’s huge building behind the yajnashala has six study rooms, one prayer room and one huge hall for meetings. The foundation stone was laid by the then Education and Home Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Kamlapati Tripathi, on 14th May, 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Yadav Nath.
Education at this institute is imparted free of cost to students. The institute also offers free accommodation, clothes and books. This has been facilitated by the Shiv Sukdev Ashram Samiti.
Here, students recite vedic mantras and shlokas from the Gita, the Ramayana and the Srimad Bhagwat. Besides, they also perform the daily yagna. Both in the morning and evening, prayers, devotional songs and recitations from the Gita, the Ramayana, the Srimad Bhagvat, the Rudri, the Hanuman Chalisa and the Shiv Mahimnstrots are performed in the temple in the presence of experienced scholars and well-qualified teachers who impart quality education to learners.
Library:The school has its own library. The library has textbooks apart from many scripts and books of self-study. The foundation stone of the library was laid by the then Minister for Forest, U P, Shri Algu Rai, on the 15th
May, 1961.
Hostel: The Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya has an old hostel which is located just behind the vidyalaya. A new hostel was constructed in 1996-97. It has eight rooms and a big meeting hall.
Srimad Bhagvat Bhawan
Suktal is the from where Srimad Bhagvat Katha originates. Therefore, it would be apt to say that this place would naturally be the world centre for propagating the message of the Bhagvat Katha. Devotees from every nook and corner of India come here in large numbers to partake in the week-long Bhagvat Katha. At times, various Bhagvat Katha Saptah Paryam are performed here simultaneously. Hence, keeping in view the increasing demand for Katha-rooms, many big halls have been constructed here.
The main Bhagvat Katha Bhawan is huge and beautiful. It has been constructed under the vat vriksh near the Sukdev temple. Two similar big halls have also come up nearby. This three-storey Bhagvat Bhawan has been constructed by a famous personality, who is also a renowned story-teller, Shri Swami Sadanandji Maharaj. He founded the Shri Krishna Pranami Paramdham Virandavan in the memory of his teacher Shri Swami Mangal Das Ji in 1997. In the construction of this Bhawan, the great scholar of Bhagvat Katha, Pt Puroshotam Lal Sharma, a resident of Jaipur (Rajasthan), rendered praiseworthy cooperation. He has performed 42 Bhagvat Saptah in 41 years at this sacred place.
The Sudhadwait Jap Yagna Samiti, a social service organisation, Lucknow Rajdarbar, lent a helping hand in the construction of its marble floor, pillars and the grating it is surrounded with. In fact, the samiti was inspired in its endeavour by Shri Jiwan Lal Rastogi. The extension and beautification of this hall was done by Shri Dongre, Bhagvat Gyan Yoga Samiti, Ahemdabad, with the cooperation of Shri Girish Bhai and Shri Bhupender Bhai Bainker, who are devotees from Gujarat. It has now been named as Shri Dongre Ji Bhagvat Bhavan.
Besides, the another Bhagvat hall was constructed by Shri N K Bajaj, the owner of Amit Vanaspati, Ghaziabad, in 1980. Also, a cave was turned into a huge underground hall by Seth Shri Shubhkaran Kedia, a resident of Mumbai. Thousands of devotees can gather here. There is one Katha hall, named the Gita Bhavan, and one Katha room, named as the Narayan Bhavan. Most devotees perform Srimad Bhagvat Katha under the vat vriksh, at exactly the spot where Sukdevji was said to have narrated the story of Bhagvat to Raja Parikshit.
Shri Sukdev Bhavan
Located at the main gate of the ashram (Shri Sukdev Roopdwar), the Sukdev Bhavan has 5 rooms. It was constructed by devotees hailing from the Muzaffarnagar district in 1995. It was inaugurated by a young saint, Shri Kireet Bhai, a resident of London. There is one long verandah in front of this bhavan and an open courtyard just ahead of it.
Kalyan Bhojnalaya
Many generous people of the district had come forward to set up the Kalyan Bhojnalaya. Among the leading lights who helped this bhojnalya come about included the then cashier, the Late Lala Amar Nath ji of Muzaffarnagar, and Srimati Kaushalya Devi, Srimati Ram Kali, and Srimati Prem Lata, in 1999. It was inaugurated by the District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar, Shri Amit Mohan Prasad, on 25th March, 1999, at a grand function, which was presided over by Senior Police Superintendent Ashutosh Pandey.
Swami Kalyandev Anuradha Charitable Hospital
The Swami Kalyandev Anuradha Charitable Hospital is situated near the Kalyandwar of Shri Sukdev Ashram. At present, the hospital is functioning from a building whose construction was sponsored by Shri Shri Jeebaba. The modernisation of the hospital was done by the then Law Minister, Government of India, Shri Hansraj Bhardwaj, in the memory of his daughter, Late Anuradha, in 1998. The hospital is also being run with the financial assistance from the Shri Sukdev Ashram Sewa Samiti. It was inaugurated by the then Hon’ble Justice Shri Jagdish Bhalla, High Court, (Lucknow Bench), Allahabad and Administrative Justice, Muzaffarnagar. The hospital was inaugurated with the blessings of Swamiji and in the presence of Shri Bhardwajji at a grand function presided over by the then Hon’ble Justice, Shri Ishwarprakash Vashisth, High Court (Lucknow Bench), Allahabad, on 21st November, 1998. The hospital has all the modern facilities for pilgrims and for the people of the region. Here, medical facilities are provided free of cost by competent doctors.
Gaushala, Krishi Vatika and Tubewell
The Swamiji’s signature could be seen all over this sacred place. With his support, a cowshed has been constructed here, adding more significance to this place as it is said ‘Gobrahmanhitaya ch’ in Sanskrit.
An all-purpose garden exists here. At this garden is grown fodder for cows, flowers for performing pooja and vegetables for students, saints, and devotees. There is one tubewell, which is used for irrigating the garden as well as for drinking water. It was installed by the then Irrigation Minister, U.P. Government, Kamlapati Tripathi. The tubewell has been supplying drinking water to Suktal for years now. The tubewell has been installed at a short distance from the main gate of the ashram.
Arrangement for drinking water and reservoir
For uninterrupted supply of drinking water to the entire ashram, a new reservoir with a storage capacity of 1000 liters of water was constructed by Shri Inder Sen (the son of the late Lala Kedar Nath Singal) and his wife Shrimati Pateri Devi (Jeend Kalwa Wale), now residing in Inderpuri, New Delhi. This reservoir was dedicated to the memory of their ancestors in the year 1994. This reservoir, which is now catering to various needs of the ashram, is located just behind the Shri Sukdev temple.
Shastri Dharmarth - Dispensary
A charitable ayurvedic dispensary and a hospital in the ashram provide free medical services. Here, treatment is supervised by qualified and experienced doctors. Patients from both urban and remote areas, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, come here for treatment. Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had a great affection for this sacred place.
During the English rule, Shri Algu Rai of the All-India Public Service Commission was deputed to this place. Besides, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, before he became the Prime Minister, was also deputed here after being nominated as chairman of the Muzaffarnagar District. Their mission was to improve the quality of life of the so-called untouchables as well as to popularise the use of Khadi and the Hindi language. Shri Shastri ji lived in this district during 1922-1926. Shri Swamiji had made his acquaintance long ago. During this period, Shri Shastriji spent considerable time with Swamiji to help develop the place. Later, he kept returning to Shukteerth from time to time. The dispensary is named after the late Prime Minister, and is called the Shastri Dharmarth dispensary.
On 5th February, 1966 Shri Harikishan Shastri, the eldest son of Shri Shastri ji, and his family, reached Shukteerth with the ashes of his father. At that point in time, patriot and litterateur Shri Viyogi Hari ji inaugurated this dispensary. Thereafter, the Government Ayurvedic Dispensary with 15 beds had been set up in 1991 with under Swamiji’s guidance. Apart from this, one more Government Ayurvedic Dispensary with four beds has been set up by Swamiji in the Brahaman Ashram. Its main objective is to serve the rural people and the pilgrims.
Main gate (Shri Sukdev Roopdwar)
At the entrance of the Sukdev Ashram is a huge gate known as Shri Sukdev Roop Dwar. It is around 150 feet below the vat vriksh and the Sukdev Temple. This dwar was constructed by Shrimati Hansa Devi in the memory of her husband, the Late Lala Roop Chandi ji, the son of Shri Raishahab Lala Madhoram, resident of Dehradun, in Samvat 2034.
Towards this good cause, they were inspired by Lala Manohar Lal ji and his younger brother Lala Ram Swaroop ji. Their family members include among others Advocate Shri Tejender Kumarji, Advocate Shri Santosh Kumarji and Shri Mithanji. They, too, were instrumental in reviving Shukteerth.
Postal, telephone and police services
Leading personalities, industrialists, businessmen and devotees from top metropolitan cities like New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai come here to participate in the week-long Srimad Bhagvat Kathas. Therefore, the need was felt for putting in place a communication infrastructure that would have a post office and basic telephony, besides a police station. All these facilities have been made available here. A telephone exchange has now been set up in Shukteerth along with a police station manned round-the-clock.
Arrangement for electric supply
There was a time when no electricity was available in the entire region. But the situation began changing when Dr Sampoornanandji, who at that point in time was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, used to come here often for a holy dip in the Ganges and offer pooja. On one such occasion, a request was made to him to make arrangement for supply of electricity to the area.
He acted swiftly and provided electricity to an area that stretched from Muzaffarnagar to Suktal. It was his unflinching efforts that saw Suktal being lighted up. At that time, electric poles imported from Italy, used to be ferried to Dehradun on rails. Following a request by Swamiji, one consignment of electric poles was sent to Suktal. On a war footing, the poles were erected and connected by electric wires.
Soon, entire Suktal began to sparkle, nestled as it were in the hilly northern Indian region. A 33 kv electric station has also been set up at this sacred place to ensure uninterrupted supply of power electricity to the sprawling ashram premises.
Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan-Mela
To leave no stone unturned, a Ganga Snan Mela was started here coinciding with the festival of Kartik Purnima. In the beginning, the convenors of this event were Lala Inder Prakashji, Lala Tula Ramji, Lala Jaya Prakashji and Lal Jagat Prakashji, who volunteered to make all snan arrangements available.
Later, as the event grew in size, the responsibility for organising this week-long festival was entrusted to the district council. Besides, events such as Ganga Dushehra, Baisakhi, Sharad Chaturdashi and Pitri Visharjani Amawashya, each of a two-day duration, are organised here, attracting thousands of pilgrim’s from far-flung areas every year.
Srimad Bhagvat Saptah
The Srimad Bhagvat Katha is delivered in the Bhagvatpeeth Shri Sukdev Ashram on Kartik-Purnima every year. The famous scholar, Bhagvatacharya Pt Purushottam Lalji, a resident of Jaipur, has been performing Katha for the past 42 years. Besides, both Indian and foreign saints, such as the Revered Dongreji Maharaj, the Revered Murari Bapuji and the Revered Kireet Bhaiji, keep returning to this place to perform the Bhagvat Katha.
Educational Institutions
The Sukdev Ashram Sewa Samiti has set up the Swami Kalyandev High School here in 1985, to impart quality education to the poor in the area. The school is located just near the entrance of Shukteerth. Well-qualified teachers are now imparting meaningful instructions to about 500 students in this school. The school is rendering a great help to the poor children of the area by providing good education to them. The school has 320 classrooms having all sorts of facilities. Besides, there is a primary Pathshala and a Sanskrit Vidyalaya.
Religious and spiritual center
This sacred place is a religious and spiritual center for all. Thousands come here on the occasions of fairs and also for performing pooja and taking bath in the Ganges. People of all walk of life not only from India but also from other countries get peace and content here and now they accept the glory of this sacred place. There are temples, muths, ashrams of all casts, creeds, and religions here. It is believed people get rid from their sins by taking bath in the Ganges.
Annkshetra
Anand Bhavanti Bhutani parjanydt annasambhavam
Yajnat bhavati parjanyo yajnah karma samudbhavah
Food is necessary for all living beings. Food maintains the body. Nobody can live without food. Though exceptions are there. That is why it is said:
Bhukha Bhajan na hoye Gopala,
Ye lo apni kanthi mala.
It is the supreme duty of the human beings to give food to the hungry and to give water to the thirsty. Keeping this in view, two annkshetras are functioning in Sukdev Ashram. Sukdev Ashram Sewa Samiti (Regd.) runs them according to the instructions from Revered Swami ji Maharaj. In one of the Annakshetra, there is good arrangement for two meals— morning and evening for the students of the asharam, saints, sages and guests who come here. The arrangement is made by the Samiti through the funds donated by the generous people. In another Annakshetra, food is given from 10 am to 12 pm to the hundreds of saints and sages who come here from other places. The food is given free of cost.
Arrangements for Dwelling places
Dwellings have its own important place among the basic necessities of human beings. There is proper arrangement for dwelling for all devotees, sages, saints of the asharam and also for the guests who come here.
Parikshit Bhavan
There is beautiful and attractive double storey building at the main gate. It has twelve rooms. This building was got constructed by the devotees of Muzaffarnagar for which they got inspiration from Revered Swami Kalyandev ji. The building has been dedicated to the Shri Sukdev Asharam Sewa Samiti and is known as Parikshit Bhavan. In the construction of this building, General Secretary Shri Leelu Ram Gupta ji of the Samiti and the then cashier Late Shri Amar Nath ji have rendered their full cooperation.
Dandi Asharam
There is one Dandi Asharam in this divine place. This to the abode of scholar ascetics Dandi saints mahatma. There is proper arrangement for dwelling, food etc for the saints. The chairman is the famous scholar of Bhagvat Anant Shri Vibhushit Pujayapad Shri Swami Vishnu Asharam ji Maharaj. He was invited by Revered Swami Kalyandev ji Maharaj. The manager of Dandi Asharam is an ascetic celibate Gurudutt ji Maharaj. Under his efficient leadership and guidance, the asharam is on the path of progress.
Shri Ram Asharam
At a short distance from the South-West of Shri Sukdev Temple, the ascetic saint of this sacred place Shri Swami Ramdhari ji Maharaj set up a beautiful Rama Ashram. His meditation cave and samadhi is also located here. Its management is in the hands of ascetic saint Shri Som Dutt Brahmchari.
Vedic Gurukul Sanskrit Vidyalaya
In this sacred place, one beautiful vedic Gurukul Sanskrit Vidyalaya is located on the main road. This Vidyalaya is a symbol of ancient Indian culture. The founder/chairman of the vidyalaya is an aryan saint shri Swami Anandvesh ji Maharaj. Its Director and Principal is Prof Shri Inder Pal Brahmchari ji who is a famous saint and a great social worker. Here Sanskrit, Yoga and moral education is imparted by well qualified teachers like Shri Prem Shanker Mishra ji.
Ganesh Dham
Gajananam Bhoot Ganadidevi tam,
Kapithya jambufal charu vakshanam,
Uma sutam shok vinashkarakam,
Namami bighneshwar pad pankajam
Ganesh is Ganeshadhipati and counters all obstacles and bestows all successes. Ganesh is remembered at the outset of all auspicious occasions.
Overwhelmed with zealous spirit, a religious personality Lala Sukhbir Singh ji and a generous and social worker Lala Lakshmi Chand Singhal ji, both resident of Muzaffarnagar, consecrated the celestial idol of Ganesha which is 35 feet high. This idol of Ganesha is unique by itself. On its left side the holy river Tripatha is flowing and on its right side is vat vriksh, located in Sukdev Teela and on its back side is a huge idol of Pawanputra Hanumanji. These all add one more feather to the beauty of the idol of Ganesha.
Hanumandham
The world’s largest idol of Hanuman ji was built in the historical city of Shukteerth in the year 1687. Its height is 72 feet together with its stoop. Seven hundred crores of names written on papers had been kept inside of it. In order to make this huge idol, famous writer of India and editor of ‘Shri Krishna message’, Mathura Revered Shri Sudarshan Singh Chakra ji took the cooperation of his devotees. He thus rendered his praiseworthy cooperation for the development of this holy place.
When Revered Shri Sudarshan Singh Chakra ji met Supreme Revered Shri Swami Kalyandev ji Maharaj with the proposal of making a huge and beautiful idol for Shukteerth and wanted the blessings for it from him. Shri Swami ji agreed and gave his full cooperation. At that time Shri Chakra ji said that Shri Swami ji has removed my all worries regarding idol making. Revered Swamiji vowed that he would not take food till the work of idol making of Hanuman ji does not start. Swami ji fulfilled his vow. The idol is located at a short distance from Sukdev Temple on the bank of Ganges.
The idol was made by efficient workman Shri Keshav Ram of Sahdol, Shri Inder Kumar ji rendered his praise worthy cooperation and got it completed in one years time. Now a days he is Manager/Director of it.
In the courtyard, around the huge idol of Hanuman ji, rooms have been constructed for residential purpose for devotees, saints etc. On the right side of the idol of Hanumanji, the temple of Lord Rama (Ramdarbar) and the temple of Shri Radha Krishan are located, the hut of Revered Shri Sudarshan Chakra ji is located behind these temples.
There is a beautiful temple of Bhagvan Shanker ji on the right side of the idol of Hanuman ji and in the near by is located a beautiful temple of Ma Bhagvati Durga ji. There is a beautiful yajnashala in front of this huge idol. There is also a open courtyard in front of it. On the one side of it is katha-manch. Devotees meditate here and worship Hanumanji. This place is known as Hanumadham. The idol of Hanuman ji has added one more feather to the beauty of this holy place.
Shivdham
Karpur gauram Karunawataram sansar saram bhujgendraharam
Sada vasantam hirdayarvinde bhavam bhavani sahitam namami
This sacred place has a number of huge idols. There is an huge idol of God Shanker at a distance of one kilometer from and on the North-west of Sukdev Temple. Its height is 101 feet.
Durgadham
Sarvamangal Mangley Shiva Sarvarthsadhike
Sharnetrayambke gauri narayani namostute.
There is Shri Ma Durga’s idol at Durgadham near the idol of God Shanker. Its height is 51 feet. There is one cave and a huge phalus. This has been built by the devotees of Muzaffarnagar a few years ago.
Some other institutions at this sacred place
Besides above, there are some other ashrams, hospitals and government buildings at this divine place. For instance: Brahman Ashram, Ganga Mandir, Tyagi Asharam, Gurjar Dharmshala, Pracheen Ganga Mandir, Upadhya Ashram, Akhand Kuteer, Jat Dharmshala, Vaishya Aggarwal Dharamshala, Lali ki Dharamshala, Vishwakarma Ashram, Saini Mandir Dharmshala, Sunar Dharmshala, Rava Rajput Dharmshala. Kshtriya Merh Dharamshala, Gola Nai Dharam Shala, Ramanujkot Ashram whose founder/Director is learned saint Shri Swami Jagnath ji Maharaj, Nijanand Ashram, Pranami Mandir Ashram, Harijan Ashram, Valmiki Ashram, Gaoshala, Kabir Panthi Ashram, Satsaheb Ashram, Pal Dharamshala, Bhatt Brahman Dharmshalal, Asharfilal Dharamshala etc; later some more ashrams and dharmshalas are also built. which are as under;
Shri Om Dham (whose founder and Director is Swami Kalyanswaroop ji Maharaj) Shri Ramdarbar, Kamaldev Kutiya, Viklang Ashram, Punjabi Dharmshala, Yadav Dharmshala, Sacha Ashram, Malpura walon ka Ashram (whose founder/director is a social worker saint and a homeopathy doctor Swami Yogi Raj ji Maharaj, Govind Ashram, Khichir Walon Ka Ashram, Nangli Teerth Ashram, Nath Ashram, Param Dham, Mahashakti Sidhpeeth (whose Founder/Director Ma Raj Nandeshwariji), Ma Lakhewari Dham Trust (whose Founder/Diretor is Dev Kanya Hem Lata Mudgil ji), Murari Bapu ki Kutiya etc.
Besides, Revered Swami Rajrajeswaranandji Maharaj Mahamandeleshwar and Swami Mahesh Chaitanya ji Maharaj (Maheshwar Ashram) and Revered Dr Pranav Pandya ji (Shanti Kunj) etc have built their ashrams that enhanced the grace of this sacred place.
Also there is a locality of farmers where around one hundred families reside. There are some government buildings also e.g. Jila Panchayat ka Nirikshan Bhavan, Irrigation department’s drainage inspection building.
Tourists rest house etc. Here is one ancient well in the forest near the Sukdev Mandir which is known as Parikshit Kunwa. Besides two Sanskrit schools, one high school and one primary school are also here in the name of Revered Swami ji.
On the instructions from Swami ji, in 1990 Swami Kalyandev Balvidya Mandir has been opened along with high school which is functioning properly.
Honourable Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru ji ‘s visit
The First Prime Minister of Independent India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru ji visited this sacred place at the invitation of Shri Swami ji on 26th November, 1958 on the occasion of Kartik Purnima festival.
He viewed Ganga ji here amidst ved mantra and sipped the water through the palm of his hand for purification. Afterwards he addressed the crowed of two lakh people assembled here.
A high dais was made on the bank of Ganga in a big ground there where only Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Shri Swami Kalyandev ji Maharaj were sitting.
There was a scarcity of food grain at that time. Food grains had to be imported from other countries. Nehru ji used to appeal to the public to grow wheat in a flower-pot and on the roof of the house, Shri Swami ji organised this huge and historical conference of farmers in which two lakh farmers vowed to grow more food grains in order to make India self reliant.
This made Pandit Nehru ji so happy that he honoured Swamiji in the conference. In his welcome address he referred Swami ji as Gandhi ji of Uttar Pradesh and honoured him.
Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh’s visit
The then President of India, his excellency Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy honoured Swami ji with Padmashri for his commendable services to the nation. To celebrate the occasion, a grand reception was arranged on 28th June, 1982 by the public of district Muzaffarnagar in Meerut division at the sacred place Suktal.
Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh, the then Chief Minister of U.P. participated as a Chief Guest and welcomed Swamiji
at this reception on this occasion he also laid the
foundation stone for a tourist center. Later he continued to visit this sacred place many times to have the darshan of Swami ji.
Arrival of his excellency President
The then president of India his excellency Shri Gyani Jail Singh visited this sacred place on 15th January 1984 at the invitation of Shri Swami ji. Here he offered oblation for world peace in a mahayagya (great sacrifice), laid the foundation stone for saint ‘Vinoba Bhave Vridha Gaoo Sadan’ and also unveiled the statue of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The Marble Statue of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and marble stoop for it were got built by Lala Gulshan Rai ji Jain.
Jagadguru Shankracharya is Sukteerth
All former and present Jagadguru Shankaracharya of all institutes and sects visited this sacred place of Shri Sukdev ji from time to time and bestowed blessings on pilgrims and people residing here. Many Shankeracharya have performed here Srimad Bhagvat Katha Saptah. Long ago the great saint personality engrossed in God Shri Devraha Baba ji raised a dais on the Ganges and performed asceticism.
Respectable Shri Shri Ma Anandmayee ji observed sanyam saptah on two occasions and also lived here for a some time. Besides, various saints and sages have been performing here Srimad Bhagvat Katha, worship and asceticism.
Also Revered Dongreji, Morari Bapu, Ramesh Bhai Ojha, Kireet Bhai, Krishan Bhai, Krishan Shanker Shastri, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, Shri Swami Ram Bhadracharya and the other Bhagvat Katha teller of the country came to this sacred place and performed Bhagvat Katha.
Revered Dongre Ji Maharaj in Sukteerth
Bhagvat King, world fame story teller of Bhagvat and great saint personality engrossed in God, Shri Ram Chandra Keshav Dongre ji Maharaj had a great love, affection and close affinity towards Sukteerth. Forty three years ago he performed Katha here in Gujarati. Afterwards he visited this place from time to time for solitude. Under the aegis of Revered Shri Swami Kalyandev ji Maharaj Revered Dongre ji Maharaj performed here his second Bhagvat Katha from 10th September to 18th September, 1980. About one lakh saints, devotees assembled here to listen the Katha. This was last katha of Revered Dongre ji. On this occasion a souvenir Bhagvat Rasamrit’ was published. The souvenir contained useful information about spiritualism.
Shri Murari Bapu (Saint of the nation) and Sukteerth
This sacred places has got the affection and affinity of world fame Ram katha teller shri Murari Bapu ji. Devotees heard the Ram Katha from him in 1988 at this sacred place. Besides, he comes to this place from time to time. The devotees of Muzaffarnagar have built a beautiful hermit ‘Bhagvat’ at the bank of Ganges for his residence.
Tourist centers and construction of pucca ghat -scheme
Tourist rest houses have been constructed here with the untiring efforts of Shri Swamiji. Besides, Swami ji got constructed pucca ghats at the bank of Ganges and a separate ghat for cows with the cooperation of UP Government. The ghats, have increased the beauty of this place and pilgrims got more facilities for bathing. As a result, incidents of drowning while taking bath have also come down considerably.
Forest department
There has been development and improvement in the sphere of forest with the efforts of dedicated officers. The forest department has constructed a beautiful guest house where dignitaries visiting this sacred place can stay. For the protection, safety of wild animals and for the entertainment of pilgrims, a ‘cheetal park’ has been built here. Other facilities such as hotels, lavatories are also available here.
High School for poor children
Shri Sukdev Ashram Sewa Samiti (Regd) have established Swami Kalyandev High School in 1985 in view the persistent demand and necessity of the people of the area. The school is situated at the left side of the road while entering into the Sukteerth. Five hundred students are studying here under the guidance of well qualified teachers. With the opening of the school, poor children of the area were benefited. The school has its building. It has twenty class rooms with all related facilities.
Sukdev Setu
With the efforts of Swami ji and with the cooperation of Revered Baba Bhumi Walon, a Sukdev Setu has been built on the small stream of the ganges. This has helped farmers and pilgrims a lot.
Kargil Shaheed Smarak and Ghat
In the memory of Kargil Martyrs, a Kargil Shaheed Smarak has been built by Revered Swami ji in the historical sacred place, Suktal. Its foundation stone was laid by the then honourable Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Om Prakash Chautala on 19th Sept, 2000. Kargil Shaheed Smarak was dedicated to the nation on 9th March, 2003. The name of all 527 Shaheeds of Kargil have been carved on green stone here.
Establishment of Shri Sukdev Bhagwat Vidyapeeth
Since the Sukteerth is the origin of Bhagwat, So the learned people and devotees have been demanding that the “Bhagwat Vidyapeeth” be established here. Where the Bhagwat scholars will be trained so that they can be deputed at different places in the country and abroad to disseminate Bhagwat. To attain this objective, Shri Sukdev Bhagwat Vidyapeeth was established on 28th Nov., 2001 by the then Chief Minister, honourable Sh. Raj Nath Singh ji under the chairmanship of Revered Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Swami Rambhadvacharya ji and through the inspiration of Swami ji.
Kargil Shaheed Smarak Library/Reading room and Museum
At the initiation of great saint Swami Kalyan Dev Ji Maharaj beside Kargil Shaheed Smarak Kargil Shaheed Library/Reading room alongwith a museum are built. The foundation stones of above given tripple structures (library/reading room and museum were laid down of Feb. 25th 2004 by honourable vice president of India. Sri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat accompanied with Sri Yogendra Narain Ji (IAS), General Secretary of upper house of parliament (Rajya Sabha) under the sponsorship of Sri N S Malik (Retired Lt. General of India), at the initation of Swami Ji Maharaj.
Vijayant Tank (War Trophy) right in front of Kargil Shaheed Smarak on the bank of river Ganga. beside the Kargil Shaheed Ghat, under the direction of great saint basically on his initiation on the same date 25.2.2004 a foundation stone was also laid down by the hand of honourable Vice President Sri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Ji.
Samadhi Temple of Great Saint
Although great Saint, a bundle of three centuries experienced have proved immortal through his life style and art of living. But at his own will he took Samadhi with prior decleration on 13-14 July 2004, at midnight i.e. 12.20am. Just after Parikarma of Akshya Vat Vriksha and Shukdev Temple in presence of his innumerable devotee Great Saint left her abode from this physical world. On July 15th he was given Bhu-Samadhi at 11.00 am. Several devotees, followers and devotees reached Shukartal on this occasions all over country & abroad to attend his last voyage and the process of Samadhi just to have his last glimpse. Chief Minister of Uttranchal Sri N D Tiwari ji, higher dignities of political, social and administrative spheres along with saint samaj MP's Minister' from UP and other state were assembled.
Thousands of people took share on 29.7.2004,at the eve of sodashi (16th dayafter samadhi) of great saint,including CM Haryana Sri Om Prakash Chautala Ji Sant Samaj Jagatguru Shankaracharya Mahamandleshwar ji, Ministers, MP's, MLA's from UP and other adjoining state with lot of his followers and devotees.
Swami Kalyan Dev Helipad
UP Govt. declared on 29.7.2004 at the time of paying condolence to built a helipad in name of swami ji just adjoined to Shukdev Ashram Campus on ashrams land in his memories.
Swami Kalyan Dev Exibition/museum
The great saint, an evidence of three centuries, aged129 year's philosophy, life style and art of living would get represented by his photography, used itams, letters, lectures cassettes etcwith the help of exibition/museum near his samadhi, which would get completed soon.
Shri Sukdev Maharaj
In the Santi Parv Mokshadharma of the Mahabharata, Ved Vyasa has described the story of the birth of Sukdevaji. A brief description of the event follows:
Once, Lord Shiva, along with his evil spirits, was wandering atop the Meru mountain. Mata Parvati was also with him. At that time, Ved Vyasa prayed to Lord Shiva for a son who would be as luminous as fire, as tolerant as the earth, as wide as the sky and as fast as air. Lord Shiva gave his blessings readily.
After receiving the boon, Vyasa, one day, was churning arni (wood used for havan) to obtain fire. Suddenly, a boy as brilliant as fire, came out from the kund. He was named Sukdeva.
At that very moment, the Ganga appeared and performed his consecration. All commodities required for meditation fell from the heavens and the Gods prayed for him. The air showered flowers on him. Loud applause was heard all around. Every one was happy. Bhagwan Uma Shanker performed the sacred thread ceremony of Sukdevaji. Indra offered divine clothes, rod and pot to him. Soon after his birth, Sukdevaji left for the forest.
In addition to this, there is another tale known as the Amar Katha, which was narrated by Lord Shiva to Mata Parvati on Mount Kailash. The Amar Katha, in fact, is the Bhagvata katha itself and while it was being narrated by Lord Shiva, a parrot heard it. Fourteen years after this incident, the parrot took birth as the son of Vyasa, becoming famous as Sukdevaji.
All devarisis considered Sukadevaji an honourable personality since his childhood. Instead of following the three ashramas, he entered the fourth ashrama directly because of his ascetic powers. That is why he could go to the forest just after his birth. He studied yoga and sankhya with his father's permission. He took moksha- dharma diksha from Maharaja Janaka. Later, Narada taught the Bhagavatam to Sukdevaji.
Sa samihitam Bhagavatim Kritwanukramya catma - jam Sukam adhyapayamas Nivritti-nivattam munih
According to this shloka, the great sage Vyasadeva, after compiling the Srimad Bhagavatam and revising it, taught it to his son Sri Sukdeva, who was already engaged in self- realisation.
"Saintly king, I was dedicated to the transcendental being, yet I was attracted by the delineation of the pastimes of the Lord, who is described by enlightened verses. I also studied Bhagavatam."
He said that he had heard the delineation from his father. Later, the Bhagavata Purana spread throughout the world after he narrated it to King Parikshit .
Sukdeva was present in the Dwarika Lila of Krishna. He was also present when Bhishma Pitamah left for the supreme holy place along with other sages. This is mentioned in the Bhagavatam as:
Narada vamadevo trih Krisno ramo sito munih Aham brhaspatih knavo Maitreya cyavanadayah
Bhag : 10/86/18
'Narada, Vamadeva, Atri, Vyasa, Parasurama, Asita, Aruoni, myself, Brahspati, knava, maireya, cyavana were with Lord Krishna.'
In fact, Sukdeva is another form of Bhagavatam. His form is similar to that of Lord Krishna. It's mentioned in the history of sages that all sages were pioneers in the field of blessings and curses. But Shri Sukdevaji always kept himself engaged in the Brahma.
When Sukdeva was leaving for the forest, his father Vyasa followed him. He passed a group of women bathing
Bhag : 2/7/8
in the Ganga. The women, on seeing Sukdevaji, did not cover themselves despite the fact that he was not wearing any clothes. However, when Vyasaji passed by fully clothed, the women hurriedly veiled themselves. Vyasaji asked the women the reason behind the difference in their reactions to him and his son. They replied that Vyasaji was able to differentiate between men and women. But his son did not know the difference between the two. He always kept himself engaged in Brahma. So, it was useless for the women to keep themselves veiled before Sukdevaji.
Incidentally, this Suktal is the very place where Srimad Bhagavata katha was spoken by Sukdevaji.
Yaogindrya namas tasmai Sukaya brahma rupine Samsara-sarpa dastam yo Visnu ratam amumcat
Bhag : 12/13/21
'We pay our obeisance to Sukdevaji, the best of mystic sages and a manifestation of the absolute truth. He saved Maharaja Parikshit, who was bitten by a snake, from material existence.'
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