HAPPY STAY ON THIS DAY

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

Maharastra, India

In the room where I stay in the Bhajan Ashram, I had a box of a stash of snacks, not necessarily the unhealthy kind. The very generous doctor from Ujjain who left today with his family gave this gift for when I need it. But this poses a problem of sorts. With the very regimented diet that I’m on during treatment, I’m not to even look at these delectables.

This has been day number two for treatment which has, to this point, involved a medicated herbal padding on the entire body (twice) and a medicated hot water massage (once). So far so good! Tomorrow’s approach involves internal intake of ghee. No additional food permitted outside of prescribed meals which are fine for me – no oil or hot spice. At this point, I’m feeling fine.

What else?

The grounds (200 acres) of the Eco Village are stunning. There is no traffic noise. Everything’s clean and conscious. I see tourists, foreigners, mostly yogis, mostly women. I also am meeting peers – Bhakti Vijnan Swami from Russia, another monk from Russia, Madan Mohan, Yadubara from the U.S. (filmmaker), and Bhagavat Ashraya from Australia -– all are here for a cleanse treatment like myself.

In the evening, devotees gather for Yamuna arati, which is a service to honour the replica of the sacred river. Everyone sits singing as the sun fades in the west during this puja.

There was a first attempt at a rural land development some years back some seven hours outside of Mumbai, but it failed. Out of that experiment emerged this project which is so dynamic thanks to Radhanath Swami and the main project director, Gauranga.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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