In bestowing Kriya initiation on his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, Babaji said, "The Kriya Yoga that I am giving to the world through you in this nineteenth century is a revival of the same science that Krishna gave millenniums ago to Arjuna; and that was later known to Patanjali and Christ, and to St. John, St. Paul, and other disciples."

- Mahavatar Babaji (as quoted in Autobiography of a Yogi)

The meeting of Mahavatar Babaji with Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji has been commemorated as Babaji Smriti Divas by YSS devotees for long. This day - July 25, 2018 - was celebrated by devotees gathered at YSS Dwarahat Ashram along with students of Yogoda Bal Krishanalaya with Shobha Yatra to the cave of Mahavatar Babaji, meditation, bhajans and evening satsanga. 

A few days before this commemoration took place, a 24-hour-long meditation was organised at Dwarahat Ashram - from July 22 to 23. It was attended by many devotees who had come there specially to attend this meditation as well as the programmes on the following days - July 25 and July 27. 

Shobha Yatra in Dwarahat town

On the morning of Mahavatar Babaji’s Smriti Diwas, Swami Vasudevanandaji conducted aarati in front of Mahavatar Babaji's palki (palanquin) placed outside the Radha-Krishna Mandir on the Ashram premises. A Shobha Yatra was organised through the town of Dwarahat with the palki. Starting off from the Ashram, over a hundred devotees and school children sang bhajans as the Shobha yatra made its way through the winding roads. The devotees took turns carrying the palki with Mahavatar Babaji’s picture adorned with fresh flowers.

Special Programme at Mahavatar Babaji's Cave

At the main market of Dwarahat town, devotees boarded cars arranged by the ashram to take them to Babaji's cave. From the starting point of the trek in the Dronagiri mountains, the entourage made its way chanting the name of the Gurus. A constant drizzle accompanied them on this trip.

Upon arrival at the Smriti Bhavan outside the cave, devotees joined the soulful chanting of bhajans sung by Brahmachari Nirliptanandaji. Taking turns, small groups of devotees meditated inside Babaji’s cave. All present were served a special Guru Langar. After a few hours, the groups departed from the cave.

Evening Satsanga at YSS Dwarahat Ashram

The special evening meditation on Babaji Smriti Divas was led by Swami Vasudevanandaji. After an initial period of meditation, Swamiji read out excerpts related to the great Babaji from Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. He highlighted the importance given by Babaji to the virtue of humility by narrating an anecdote which exemplifies the same from the interaction of Babaji and Lahiri Mahasayaji at a Kumbha Mela.

The programme was closed with pushpanjali, bhajans sung by Brahmachari Nirliptanandaji and distribution of prasad by Swami Vasudevanandaji.