The year 2018, marks the culmination of the centenary year of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India and also the 125th Avirbhav of our Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Hyderabad Dhyana Kendra held the one day function on January 5, 2018 from 10 am to 6 pm at Padmashali Kalyana Mandapam in Marredpalli, Secunderabad. The venue could accommodate around 500 people and was close to the new metro station of Parade Grounds, making it convenient for people to reach. The venue also had ample parking and decent toilet facilities.

Since the day was a Friday which is a working day for most people, there was an attendance of 400 devotees. A series of communications through social media and SMS helped us to send messages across to more than 1500 devotees in our database. There was a banner placed in the Venue and the Dhyana Kendra, a few days prior to the programme. A stall for books and devotional articles was arranged, with counters for reception, donations and enquiries in the venue. The altar was decorated in a simple and elegant fashion with a large, garlanded photo of Guruji just below the altar. A banner mentioning that the occasion is the 125th Avirbhav of our Guru, was displayed below the altar.

The morning meditation lasted from 10 am to 1 pm which was followed by lunch in the basement. There was a powerpoint presentation in the basement where lunch and tea were served, showcasing all the years activities in the Kendra for devotees to know. Devotees participated in a devotional singing session from 2 pm to 3 pm which was followed by a playing a small excerpt from Guruji's CD "Awake in the Cosmic Dream" and then a cake was cut by blowing out one candle. Since this is an occasion where devotees from all Kendras and Mandalis gather, the most important announcements were made including the service activities that the Kendra has been undertaking. Tea was served along with cake and biscuits in the basement. Since there was no large open space place for group energization exercises, devotees were asked to exercise on their own, at any place they can find.

The second session of the meditation began at 4 pm and ended with pushpanjali, healing prayers and aarati. It was surprising that around 150 devotees who came to attend the programme, did not even receive the SMS. There was a sale of around 36,000 rupees of books and devotional articles after offering 25% discount on books, 50% discount on CDs and DVDs, a few new-member application forms were also taken. Devotees felt uplifted and there was a clear feeling of joy that pervaded the entire event. Many devotees enjoyed the bhajans and also rejoiced on meeting and greeting other old time devotees. Sainikpuri Dhyana Kendra had a 6-hour meditation the following day on January 6, 2018 from 12 noon to 6 pm. Begumpet Kendra had a commemoration meditation on January 7, 2018 from 1.30 PM to 6 pm followed by a small cultural programme by the children of Sunday school. They performed a Guru Vandana, cosmic chants rendering, a skit depicting the birth and childhood and mission of Guruji and also shared their experiences in the Igatpuri children's camp. The devotees were overwhelmed at the presentation by the children of Guruji and had tears of joy in remembrance of the sacred mission of our beloved Guru.