Shree Swami Ramanand Sant Ashram, Guvar

Auspicious is the Bank of Narmada!
Auspicious is the Chant of Narmada!
Auspicious is the Sight of Narmada!

According to a popular lore every pebble of Narmada is an embodiment of Shiva. Merely remembering the Narmada is as virtuous as bathing in the Ganga. Such a virtuous bank of the Narmada is home to many places of pilgrimage.

Since ancient times many saints, sages and seers have been practising penance and offering prayers on the holy bank of the Narmada. And that is a unique feature of the place! Even today the hermitages of the saints on both the sides of the Narmada offer spiritual energy to the mankind dwelling in the darkness of ignorance. One such hermitage, a place of penance, an abode of saint is Shree Ramanand Sant Ashram flowering on the bank of the Narmada flowing northward. This source of spiritual powerhouse is spread across sprawling land of 5 acres. It is a unique saintly abode where the incessantly flowing Narmada and its blissful beauty, gleefully chirping birds, sweet scent of the mild breeze and above all the scared communion with holy saints fill one's heart with immense love, eternal faith and devotion. One bows down at God's feet unconditionally and effortlessly given the serene ambience.

The Himalayan saint Mahamandleshwar Mahant Shree Swami Abhirandasji Tyagi is the pioneer persona of the abode of undefiled love and devotion which lies some 20 kms east from Rajpipla city, in the quiet village of Guvar (District Nandod) resting on the bank of the Narmada flowing northward.

Sadgurudev Shree Swami Ramanandacharya, hailing from the Ramanandi Vaishnav tradition who was the spiritual guru of the famous devotee Mirabai's Guru Sant Raidas and also Sant Kabir, has today a great number of followers across India. Revered Shree Swami Abhiramdasji Tyagi is a magnificent luminary of the same tradition. By naming this abode of devotion after their supreme gurudev Shree Swami Ramanandacharya, Shree Swami Abhiramdasji Tyagi and other saints have expressed their reverence and admiration for their Guru.

Shree Swami Abhiramdasji Tyagi renounced the temporal world at the prime of his youth in search of truth and sought shelter in Shree Swami Parmeshwaranandji's ashram at Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh). Swamiji undertook intense penance at Ayodhya and Chitrakoot realizing the Supreme Spirit. Following the path of Sadgurudev Bhagwan Shree Parmeshwaranandji Maharaj, Swamiji accorded prime importance to the service of saints. In view of the same principal, services to saints are being rendered effectively in many ashrams founded by Swamiji. Shree Swami Ramanand Ashram has been initiated in the panoramic place on the bank of the Narmada in Gujarat where humble services are rendered to many saints and devotees seeking to perform Parikramma of the holy Narmada.

Besides serving the saints, a lot is being done here to instil values among tribal children of the area. Ayurvedic and medical camps are often being organised in order to take care of the health of the poor and the needy of surrounding areas. Along with inculcating devotion among people, tests on ‘Tamso ma Jyotirgamay' (Lead us from darkness to light) shisht-vaachan (reading) are being conducted in various schools in order to encourage and instil Indian values and traditions among children. Sometimes different programmes are organised for their personality development. Thus many welfare activities are carried out by the ashram.

The trickling flow of the river, the lush green garden, variety of flora and fauna… everything about the ashram is heartening. One can experience pure divinity and the devotion of Lord Shreeram here. It is worthwhile to experience spontaneous meditation in some part of this place. This blissful sight has become a focal point of attraction for the nearby villages of Guvar, Mangrol, Rajpipla and Tilakwada and other villages across the river. People here are attracted by the magnetic spiritual personality of Shree Swami Abhiramdasji Tyagi. Normally revered Swamiji dwells at Rishikesh, Kedarnath and some other places. Yet at regular intervals Swamiji seats at this place too.

Affectionate and soothing companionship of the ashram dwellers infuses devotion in the hearts of new entrants. This quarter of devotion is unique due to the unparalleled beauty of nature amid which Sadgurudev Shree Swami Abhirandasji Tyagi's abode is situated. The place also accommodates a majestic temple, a Yagyashala (sacrificial house), lodging for devotees as well as hermitage for individual meditation.

Devotees wish to repeatedly have the blissful sight and darshan of divinity personified Shree Swami Abhiramdasji Tyagi in spite of their social and professional commitments.

Goswami Tulsidas says:
O Lord! Even heaven or salvation cannot offer
The gratification derived from
A single moment of companionship of saints.