The history of YSS activities in Telary dates back to the 1970s when some Yogoda devotees suggested that YSS explore the possibility of spreading the name of Paramahansa Yogananda in the district of South 24 Pargans in West Bengal and accordingly invited YSS to visit the village of Telary in the said district.

YSS started humanitarian activities at Telary by opening a homoeopathic dispensary. Appreciating the enthusiasm of the village inhabitants, YSS in 1973 conducted a Hong Sau technique class for the benefit of a small number of interested local devotees. Gradually, as more and more villagers enrolled for YSS Lessons, Gurudeva’s Janmotsav, became an annual feature in the village.

With the donation of a small piece of land by an enthusiastic villager, YSS constructed a building to serve as a homoeopathic dispensary and a small meditation hall. During Guruji’s birth centenary in 1992, YSS started an allopathic dispensary with the aid of three doctors who took turns to volunteer at the dispensary. A pathological laboratory with instruments worth Rs.1 lakh was very beneficial for the local day labourers who often lost valuable days of labour when they visited the city to get their tests done.

At present, the homoeopathic clinic is run by three doctors and is open from Monday to Saturday. The clinic serves an average of 200 patients every day. The pathology laboratory conducts several tests, including blood work, ECG, etc. The medical services also include a physiotherapy centre to help the mobility and functional ability of patients. The allopathic dispensary is visited by around 30 – 40 patients every day from the surrounding villages.

YSS welfare activities in the village drew the appreciation of the local authorities and like-minded people. A prominent businessman donated his large property to support the YSS humanitarian activities in Telary. The interest and enthusiasm of the villagers prompted YSS to consider starting a more viable centre in the village. Accordingly YSS purchased some adjacent plots of land, and initiated further construction.

Gradually, Gurudeva’s Janmotsav programme was conducted in a more elaborate fashion, which included a Prabhat Fferi, followed by a full day programme with satsangas, review of meditation techniques, and group meditations conducted by YSS monastics. With its ideal location on the eastern banks of the sacred Ganges, and an exquisitely maintained garden with a variety of flowering plants and a pond within the property, and with kitchen facilities available, the place also started to function as a retreat centre from 2003. Two or three day retreat programmes, which include satsanga, review of meditation techniques and energization exercises, conducted by YSS sannyasis each year became a popular event among devotees from Kolkata and neighbouring areas.

A charitable coaching centre was started to help local students. The centre is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekdays. Presently around 60 students are provided coaching by four teachers, as per the academic curriculum. The students are also familiarised with the “how-to-live” principles of Gurudeva.

Every Sunday, about 100 children from the locality attend the children’s Sunday satsanga programme conducted by experienced YSS devotees under the guidance of YSS monastics. Every Sunday, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., special classes in Spoken English and Elementary Mathematics are also held and students are provided with lunch before the commencement of the classes.

YSS also organise inter-school programs at Telary during International Yoga day and Janmotsav celebrations. Other than talks and interactive classes by YSS monastics, the programmes also include a quiz competition on Autobiography of a Yogi, poetry recitation, elocution, and story-telling contests. The students also enthusiastically participate in the meditation and chanting. In 2015, around 450 students from 14 schools participated in these programmes.

At present, the homeopathic clinic is run by three doctors and is open from Monday to Saturday. The clinic serves an average of 200 patients every day. The pathology laboratory conducts several tests - blood, ECG, etc. The medical services also include a physiotherapy center to help the mobility and functional ability of patients. The allopathic dispensary is visited by around 30-40 patients every day from the surrounding villages.

The centre vibrates with the joy of sadhana and service with guidance and inspiration from YSS monastics, and the dedicated efforts of about 14 staff members under the supervision of local devotees.

How to Reach

• The best option to reach Telary is to visit to Dakshineswar ashram and take the help of the ashram reception to hire a taxi to the retreat. The distance is around 56 km. If the traffic is not heavy, the total duration of the journey should be within two and half hours.

• Local trains are available from Sealdah railway station (located in the heart of Kolkata city) to Budge Budge (1 hour journey) from where Telary is 15 km. One can hire an auto from Budge Budge reach the retreat.

• From Howrah railway station, one can go to Babughat (on the other side of the Ganges) by availing the ferry service. Bus (route no. 75) services can be availed from Babughat bus stand to Raipur (a journey of around one and a half hours). From Raipur, Telary is a 3 km journey. One can hire an auto to the retreat.

Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra – Telary
Village – Telary
BAHIRKUNJA 743318
Dist. South 24 Parganas
West Bengal
Phone: 09831849431
E-mail: [email protected]