On 1st January, devotees had darshan of Sri Swamiji and received his blessings with an inspiring Satsang after which akhanda naam sankirtan was conducted throughout the day to usher in the new year with the name of God reverberating in the environment.
From 2nd to 10th, a Prana Vidya course was conducted for a group from Italy, led by Swami Anandananda. Satsangs were held by Swami Satyasangananda, and prior to their departure the group had darshan of Sri Swamiji.
In continuation of the Sat Chandi Mahayajna, prasad was distributed throughout January to the villages of Laxmania Tar, Ratanpur, Bihroji, Beltikri, Kusumdih, Hirna, Dangri and Harijan Tola. The prasad included grains, clothes, cooking utensils, woollens, blankets, shoes, lantern, buckets, toys, calendars, diaries, stationery, school bags, agricultural tools and accessories. This brought the total number of villages that received the yajna prasad to 50.
On Makar Sankranti, Sri Swamiji gave darshan to all the devotees gathered at Rikhia. Later havan was conducted and bhoj (food) was served to the kanyas (girls), batuks (boys) and old age pensioners of Rikhia panchayat, during which they received grain, clothing and umbrellas.
The Akhara Clinic reopened on 18th January after the Sat Chandi Mahayajna for free medical check ups and treatment of patients from Rikhia panchayat and its neighbouring villages. Of the 268 patients receiving treatment in January, 38 were admitted for regular treatment of TB.
English and computer classes for kanyas and batuks started on 24th January after the winter holidays. The 68 new batuks who were admitted received badges, uniforms, track suits, school bags and stationery. Seeing the keen interest of the children, chanting of the Bhagavad Gita along with surya namaskara has also been incorporated for batuks.
From 14th-21st February a Tattwa Shuddhi course was conducted for a group from France, led by Swami Yogabhakti. Satsangs were held by Swami Satyasangananda, and participants received mantra diksha and spiritual name from Swami Niranjanananda. Prior to their departure they were privileged to have darshan of Sri Swamiji.
On 13th February, Basant Panchami, the kanyas and batuks performed Saraswati Pooja at the ashram. Grains were offered to the kanyas and batuks as well as to the old age pensioners of Rikhia panchayat, who also received their monthly allowance from the ashram.
528 patients from Rikhia and the surrounding villages received treatment at the Alakh Bara Clinic, 22 of whom were newly admitted for TB treatment.
From 1st-20th a Yoga Lifestyle and Sadhana Retreat course was conducted for an international group, led by Swami Muktidharma from New Zealand. Satsangs were held by Swami Satyasangananda, and participants received mantra diksha and spiritual name from Swami Niranjanananda.
A Health Management course for asthma related problems was conducted from 3rd-20th March by Swami Nityachaitanya. Swami Satyasangananda held Satsangs with the students on various aspects of yoga and health.
On 8th March Sivaratri was celebrated at Sivananda Ashram, Rikhiadham, Alakh Bara, with Ramayana Path in the early morning hours. After the chanting, devotees were initiated into mantra, jignasu, karma and poorna sannyasa by Swami Niranjanananda. In the evening a havan presided over by Swami Niranjanananda was performed by the kanyas of Rikhia, who chanted the 1,008 names of Shiva.
816 patients from Rikhia and surrounding villages received treatment at the Alakh Bara Clinic, 17 being newly admitted for TB treatment.
A Health Management course was conducted from 3rd-20th April by Swamis Gorakhnath and Nityachaitanya. Swami Satyasangananda held discourses on yoga for the course students.
From 9th-18th April, Navaratri anushthana was performed at Paramahamsa Alakh Bara during which the entire Ramacharitamanas was chanted by the devotees participating in this anushthana. It was led by Sannyasi Mantranidhi and the kanyas of Rikhia. Devi mantras were recited in the evening after which the kanyas enthralled everyone with their kirtans. The anushthana was presided over by Swami Niranjanananda who conducted a havan on Maha Ashtami for the health and happiness of all present.
At the culmination of the Navaratri festival, the kanyas, batuks and old age pensioners of the panchayat were served bhoj, after which they received prasad in the form of grain, clothing, cosmetics and accessories.
592 patients from Rikhia and the surrounding villages received treatment at the Alakh Bara Clinic, of whom 14 were newly admitted for TB treatment.
A Health Management course was held from 3rd-17th May by Swamis Gorakhnath and Nityachaitanya. Satsangs were conducted by Swami Satyasangananda on diverse aspects of yoga.
On 11th May, in celebration of the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritaya, the kanyas of Rikhia performed Vishnu Sahasranaam havan, which was presided over by Swami Satyasangananda. This was followed by akhanda naam sankirtan. The kanyas, batuks and old age pensioners were served bhoj and were offered grain, clothing and accessories as havan prasad along with the monthly stipend for the oldies.
From 2nd-10th, a group of adults and children from Raipur led by Sannyasis Chandramani and Sadhanamala took part in yoga courses at Rikhia.
From 22nd-25th, a group of children from Jamshedpur DAV public school, along with their principal, Mr S.P. Sharma, his wife and teachers, participated in an introductory yoga camp organized by Sannyasi Buddhimani.
From 19th-30th, Swami Sureshwarananda and M. Jeyagopal brought 23 devotees and a group of children and their guardians from the Bal Mitra Mandal, Chennai, to Rikhia for ashram life and yoga. During their stay, cultural programs were conducted and audio-visual films of Ramayana and other documentaries were shown to the children, kanyas and batuks. The children also joined the kanyas in the chanting of stotras and kirtans every evening, which was enjoyed by all present.
Satsangs were held throughout the month by Swami Satyasangananda.
610 patients from Rikhia and the surrounding villages received treatment at the Alakh Bara Clinic, 23 of whom were newly admitted for TB treatment.
A Health Management course was held from 3rd-16th June by Swamis Gorakhnath and Nityachaitanya for 105 participants. Satsangs were conducted by Swami Satyasangananda on diverse aspects of yoga, tantra and Vedanta for the students. At the end of the course many participants received diksha from Swami Niranjanananda.
On 16th June the old age pensioners of Rikhia panchayat received their monthly stipend along with an offering of grains and other necessities for the monsoon season.
A group of devotees from Indore visited Rikhia for ashram life, led by Sannyasi Amritbindu.
750 patients registered for treatment at the Alakh Bara Clinic from neighbouring villages.
Every Ekadashi, akhanda Bhagavad Gita Path was chanted by all present, led by Swami Satyasangananda.
Every Poornima, Sundarkand from the Ramayana was chanted by all present, led by the kanyas of Rikhia.
Every Monday, Shiva Mahimna Stotra was chanted and every Saturday Mahamrityunjaya havan was conducted for universal health and happiness.
Devi pooja was conducted every Friday with the chanting of Saundarya Lahari and other devi stotras by the kanyas of Rikhia.
Ashram life satra continued from January to June, during which Sadhakas from all over the world visited the ashram for seva, swadhyaya and Satsang.