Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a socio-spiritual and philanthropic organization founded at his birth place Bajitpur now in Bangladesh in 1917 by Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, an illustrious patriot and visionary saint of modern India. Rooted in the ideals of selfless service (seva) and spiritual upliftment, the Sangha is dedicated to both humanitarian efforts and promoting the magnanimous values and virtues of Sanatana Hindu Dharma (eternal spiritual tradition).
The Sangha is a registered organisation under Societies Act XXI of 1860 since 1927.
Core Philosophy
At its heart, Bharat Sevashram Sangha operates on the principles of :
- Service to humanity as service to God
- Universal brotherhood and spiritual unity
- Relief to the distressed and underprivileged and their upliftment
- Promotion of moral and spiritual values
- National Integration
Spiritual and Cultural Work
- Conducts regular satsangs (spiritual discourses), yoga classes, vedic Havan and puja-arati (rituals)
- Promotes Vedic learning and the study of Indian scriptures
- Celebrates festivals like Pranavananda Jayanti (Maghi Purnima), Shivaratri, Guru Purnima, Holi (Dol Purnima), Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Ras Purnima (Kartik Purnima), Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Saraswati Puja, Rath Yatra, Ganesh Chaturthi, and more.
Humanitarian Services
The Sangha is known for its pioneering role in:
- Disaster Relief: Providing aid during floods, famine, earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis and pandemics
- Medical Services: Running free health camps, hospitals, and mobile clinics
- Educational Initiatives: Managing schools, colleges, hostels, and vocational training for underprivileged and general children
- Welfare of Tribals and Backward Communities: Special focus on remote, forested, hilly regions of India.
- During Fairs : Provides various assistance to the pilgrims during Rath Yatra, Kumbh Mela, Gangasagar Mea, Pitrupaksha Mela, Amarnath Yatra, Mandala Makaravilakku Yatra, Ashadhi Ekadashi Mela etc.
🌍 Global Presence
Though founded in India, the Sangha now has branches in many countries including:
- The United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Fiji
- Guyana
- Trinidad
These branches serve local communities with cultural, spiritual, and welfare programmes.
🛕 Headquarters
- Established permanently in 1932 at 211, Rash Behari Avenue, Ballygunge, Kolkata in West Bengal, India
- The central Ashram is both a spiritual hub and the global administrative centre of the organization.
🔖 Legacy
Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj's vision continues to inspire thousands of monks, devotees, and volunteers who carry forward the Sangha’s mission of selfless service to the needy, compassion, unity, and spiritual awakening.
Relief Work
Bharat Sevashram Sangha extends extensive relief to the suffering humanity during natural calamities across India and abroad. The Eveready selfless monks and volunteers swing into action to alleviate the pains and woes of the people in times of floods, famines, earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis and pandemics etc. The Sangha distributes dry foods, cooked foods, utensils, clothes and provide medical services and medicines by engaging qualified doctors and supporting staff. In some grievous and unprecedented situations, the Sangha undertakes rehabilitation works and constructs homes for them. Some of the biggest relief works are Odisha Super Cyclone, Tsunami in Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat and Maharashtra Earthquakes, Aila, Fani cyclones in Bengal etc.
Religious Fairs
Huge gathering of the devotees and pilgrims at different holy places and holy occasions invites stupendous difficulties to proper and peaceful conduction of the events. Bharat Sevashram Sangha make various arrangements to help support the smooth running of those religious fairs like Kumbha Mela at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik and Ujjain; Rath Yatra mela in Puri and other places; Makar Sankranti mela at Gangasagar in West Bengal; Amarnath Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir; Mandala Makaravilakku mela in Sabarimala, Kerala; Ashari Ekadashi mela in Maharashtra; Pitrupaksh Mela at Gaya, Bihar etc.
Physical and Mental Wellbeing
To promote a healthy living and maintain sound mental condition among the youths and all others, the Sangha runs, organises and conducts many Yoga centres, Gymnasiums, Meditation classes, Martial Arts or Self Defence training like Karate, Taekwondo, Stick Fight, Wrestling under the supervision of competent and expert masters across various branch Ashram and sub centres of the Sangha.
Yogasan competitions, Karate competitions, Body Building competitions are organised at various levels including local, district, state and national.