The grounds of Hansi Gita Bhawan seen from above, the temple, hall and gardens within the boundary wall

Our work|हमारा कार्य

Five objects, and nothing else.

The Trust does not decide each year what it would like to do. Clause 3 of the Deed, registered on 3 October 1968, names five objects and binds the trustees to them. This is that clause, and what has come of it.

What work does Hansi Gita Bhawan Trust actually do?

Five things, named in clause 3 of the Deed registered on 3 October 1968, and the trustees are bound to them: the worship of Shri Krishna and Maa Saraswati installed in the temple; prayers, bhajans and the recitation of the Gita, Chandi, Ramayana and Mahabharata; propagating dharma and its basic ideals among the general public; looking after learned pandits, sadhus and mendicants; and establishing libraries, study rooms and lectures for the propagation of knowledge. The Trust does not decide each year what it would like to do.

Hansi Gita Bhawan Trust · Deed of Trust, registered 3 October 1968

Deed of Trust, 3 October 1968

The objects of the Trust shall be —

Clause 3

Worship

To arrange for and continue the worship of the deities God Krishna and Goddess Saraswati which are to be installed in the said temple located at the trust Estate.

Keep the worship going, and do not let it stop.

Object I in full →

Prayer and recitation

To use the said buildings and other property of the Trust for prayers, bhajans and other religious performances including recitation of Gita, Chandi, Ramayana, Mahabharata and for religious festivals and shows.

The buildings exist to be used, and the Deed says what for.

Object II in full →

Dharma, in public

To propagate religious and its basic ideals amongst the general public.

Not to keep it inside the walls.

Object III in full →

Care for the learned

To look after and assist learned Pandits, Sadhus and mendicants and provide for their temporary accommodation and maintenance for a period not exceeding one month in the year.

A room and a meal for visiting devotees and families, and for pandits and sadhus too.

Object IV in full →

Knowledge

To establish libraries and study rooms and arrange for lectures demonstration and other methods for propagation of knowledge and education.

Libraries and study rooms — and whatever else works.

Object V in full →

Outside the five

And, beyond the Deed, a campus open to Hansi

These are not named in clause 3. They grew up around the temple because the land was there and the town needed them, and the trustees have kept them because a Bhawan that is shut for six days a week is not a Bhawan.

Gardens, open to all
A yoga centre and an open-air gym
Shops on the estate, which give livelihoods to local families and keep the Trust self-supporting

The work, in pictures

What a week here looks like.

Devotees seated together on the floor of the hall at Hansi Gita Bhawan during satsang — Satsang at the Bhawan — open to everyone, without charge

The hall at Hansi Gita Bhawan decorated with marigolds and streamers for a festival gathering — The hall, dressed for a festival

A shaded path through the grounds at Hansi Gita Bhawan, trees on both sides — The grounds

The outdoor gym on the grounds at Hansi Gita Bhawan, used by the town — The outdoor gym, free for anyone in town

A man bowing with folded hands before a garlanded murti at Hansi Gita Bhawan, a thali of lamps and offerings on the step in front of him — Aarti offered, an ordinary morning

Offerings laid out on the marble platform at Hansi Gita Bhawan — small murtis dressed and garlanded on patterned mats, with steel thalis of prasad and loose marigolds around them — Offerings on the platform

Prasad prepared in the kitchen at Hansi Gita Bhawan and set out in trays for distribution — Prasad, prepared and distributed without charge

The temple at Hansi Gita Bhawan lit after dark, the shikhara picked out against the night sky — The temple after the evening aarti

And two limits the Deed sets

The objects of the Trust shall be carried out solely in the Union of India and the Trust Fund or the income thereof shall be spent and utilised for the purposes of the Trust solely in the Union of India.

Clause 5

The Trustees shall cause true and accurate accounts to be kept of all moneys received and spent

Clause 12

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