Prem Bhawan: Where Divine Love Meets Human Hearts, Inaugurated by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
All over the world, people engage in devotion (bhakti) to God genuinely believing that they are worshipping God. But the real bhakti is achieved only after a genuine saint (Guru) enters our life. Guru enlightens us with the meaning of true bhakti and it is our great fortune that Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is our Guru. He descended on this earth to make us worthy of receiving the highest form of love (bhakti). Countless obeisances to our Guru who accepted us and introduced us to the divinity of bhakti.
Unveiling the true form of bhakti, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj wrote in Bhakti Shatak,
prathama sadhana bhakti karu, taba mana nirmala hoya milai viśuddha bhakti taba, guru anukampa hoya ||
“Perform preparatory devotion (sadhana bhakti) to cleanse your mind. Then Guru will grace you with the real devotion (vishuddha bhakti)”. In other words, the journey from starting devotion to attaining devotion is called sadhana bhakti. And the essence of sadhana is love. The use of the word “love” is ubiquitous. It is used for worldly objects (and people) and also for God.
The fifth original Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj resolved to establish Prem Bhavan to reveal that divine love.
On 28th Feb 2011, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj laid the foundation stone of this structure. This air-conditioned circular hall has an area of 73,000 square feet and is 270 feet high. It accommodates 10,000 aspirants to sit comfortably to perform sadhana. The top of the circular dome looks like the petals of a fully bloomed lotus in the middle of which sits a golden kalash. The hall has 5 beautifully carved portals which open into huge corridors surrounding the hall. The ceiling of the hall is painted blue and has L.E.D lights embedded in it; together they give the illusion of a starry night. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is situated on one side of the massive stage inside the hall whereas the other side is adorned with Shri Radha Krishna. This dome shaped Prem Bhavan is unparalleled and astonishing in every way. Upon entering this place, one feels that the heart-rendering cries of the aspirants are reaching the abode of God. Intoxicated by the nectar of kirtans some aspirants dance in a love trance whereas others offer tears of love to God while glorifying Him and His names. The three dhams — Bhakti Dham, Shyama Shyam Dham, Rangeeli Mahal; three temples — Bhakti Mandir, Prem Mandir, and Kirti Mandir; two large halls for sadhana — Bhakti Bhavan, Prem Bhavan… All these are embodiments of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s grace which He constantly showers on all aspiring souls.
By the extreme grace and inspiration of Bhaktiyog Rasavataar Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the newly built, grandiose, and awe-striking Prem Bhavan was inaugurated on 14th January 2018.
A day before the main inauguration, all the devotees draped in 14 yellow clothes and adorned with Radhe Shyami participated in a huge chariot procession. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was seated on one of the chariots and Shri Shyama-Shyam on the other one. Our beloved Didies — the presidents of JKP — were guiding the procession. They invigorated the hearts of devotees with their divine melodious chanting. Sounds of jhanjh, mridang, and manjira, accompanied by showers of rose petals and blowing of conch shells created a divine ambience. In this éclat procession the devotees, drowned in devotional trance, danced all the way. The procession commenced and concluded with the arti of Yugal Sarkar and the arti of Jagadguru.
This was followed by Kalash Procession at 2:00 pm. All three Didies placed attractively decorated golden kalashes on their heads and led the procession into Prem Bhavan. Following them in rows were Preachers and satsangies, all of whom were carrying the kalashes on their heads and chanting the priceless names of God. Upon reaching inside everyone, full of devotion, washed the hall with the water in the Kalash.
On 14" January 2018, at 8:00 am, anxiously waiting for the inauguration of Prem Bhavan. The excitement of devotees carrying blue and yellow balloons, 3 which signify Shri Krishna and Shri Radha respectively, was a sight to behold. Seated in an ornate palanquin, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj approached the hall flooding everyone with His extreme love and grace, while being accompanied by the band. Badi Didi welcomed Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj with a flower garland. It was auf followed by the resounding sound of ceremonious Swasti Ved Mantras in Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s voice. Thereafter, Didies venerated Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj before cutting the ribbon. Tears flowed from the eyes of all three Didies, this was the true washing of the hall. Prior to all this, Badi Didi had commented that the true washing of the hall will be done by the tears of devotees. And while devotees washed the halls with tears of love, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj descended from the palanquin and 4 gratified all the devotees by ascending the throne on the stage. In this way, the Prem Bhavan inauguration and 61" Jagadguruttam Diwas were written in golden words into the annals of history.
Conclusion:
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s contribution to the establishment of Prem Bhavan, a majestic structure designed to foster the expression of divine love, holds a significant place. The establishment of Prem Bhavan under the direction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the culmination of the bhakti path, which represents the profound journey of seeking divine love and grace. The collective bhakti of the followers, the teachings of the Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, and the dedication of Prem Bhavan stand as testaments of the transformative power of true bhakti which illustrates the unbreakable tie between the seekers and their spiritual teacher.