Nilachala Saraswata Sangha is a spiritual organization based in Puri, Odisha, India. It was founded in 1938 by Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Gopabandhu Dash, who was a renowned freedom fighter, writer, and social reformer. The organization aims to promote the principles of Sanatana Dharma, which is the ancient Indian tradition of spirituality and philosophy.
The primary focus of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha is to spread the teachings of Lord Jagannath, who is revered as the Supreme Lord by millions of devotees in Odisha and beyond. The organization also works towards the upliftment of the marginalized sections of the society by providing education, healthcare, and other basic amenities.
The activities of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha include conducting spiritual discourses, organizing cultural events, and promoting education and social welfare. The organization has set up several schools and colleges in Odisha, which provide quality education to children from economically weaker sections of the society. It also runs hospitals and dispensaries, which provide medical assistance to the needy.
The organization is governed by a board of trustees, which is responsible for managing its affairs. The trustees are elected by the members of the organization, who are spread across the world. Nilachala Saraswata Sangha has branches in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, where it carries out various spiritual and social activities.
The underlying principles of the Sangha were fulfilling the triple objectives:
- 1. to lead and ideal family life (आदर्श गृहस्थ गठन)2. to establish more and more such associations or Sangha and (संघ शक्ति प्रतिष्ठा)3. to exchange each other's thoughts and idea's among the disciples (भाव बिनिमय)
The philosophy of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha is based on the principles of Sanatana Dharma, which is the ancient Indian tradition of spirituality and philosophy. The organization believes in the existence of one Supreme Reality, which is manifested in various forms and names. This Supreme Reality is known by different names, such as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan, among others.
Nilachala Saraswata Sangha emphasizes the importance of devotion and surrender to the Supreme Reality. It believes that true happiness and liberation can be attained only by surrendering to the Supreme Reality and developing a personal relationship with it. The organization encourages its members to cultivate a spirit of service and selflessness towards the society, which is seen as a manifestation of the Supreme Reality.
The teachings of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha are based on the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Puranas. The organization promotes the study and practice of these scriptures, which are seen as a source of knowledge and wisdom.
One of the unique aspects of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha's philosophy is its emphasis on the worship of Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be the Supreme Lord by millions of devotees in Odisha and beyond. The organization believes that the worship of Lord Jagannath can lead to spiritual advancement and ultimate liberation.
