Jalaram Satsang Mandal Nairobi

 

Jalaram Satsang Mandal in Nairobi - The Beginning and Key Milestones.

Half a century ago, the Jalaram Satsang Mandal in Nairobi began with simple Thursday evening bhajans (devotional songs) at the Parklands home of Odhavjibhai Bodani, a pioneer-devotee. These gatherings grew steadily in number and continued under the leadership of Odhavjibhai until his passing 11 years later. His son, Gordhanbhai, continued this tradition for another two years before migrating to Britain. Responsibility for the weekly satsangs was then handed over to Samaljibhai Raja, who also had an altar dedicated to Jalaram Bapa in his home. The satsang groups continued to grow, leading to the organization of popular Navratri events, a nine-night festival dedicated to the goddess Durga. These events marked the growing influence of the Jalaram Satsang Mandal in the local community.

When Samaljibhai Raja left the country, Nanjibhai Patel took over the coordination of the satsangs. Nanjibhai, a pioneer of the Mandal, was recognized for his service by the Lohana Community of Nairobi in 1993. During this time, bhajan programs were held at the home of Mansukhbhai Shah, and as the satsang events became more popular, they moved from home to home, following the ancient tradition of their Gujarati ancestors. The Jalaram Ladies Group was also established around this time, led by women like Pushpaben Shah and Kanchanben Shah, who organized cultural events and contributed to the growing community.

As the Jalaram family of devotees in Nairobi grew larger, the need for a dedicated space became evident. Under the guidance of Bhovanbhai Jobanputra and Chimanbhai Sodha, the group began holding their satsangs at the Ram Darbar Temple of the Lohana Mahajan Mandal and later at the Wanza Union Temple. However, due to highway construction and concerns about security, it became clear that a new location was needed.

The Jalaram Ladies Group, particularly under the leadership of Pushpaben Shah, emphasized the need for the institution to evolve into a more formal entity with its own place of worship. The initial search for a suitable property was led by Manubhai Lakhani, Bhovanbhai Jobanputra, and Nemchandbhai Shah. After much effort, the Shree Jalaram Satsang Mandal was officially registered in September 1995, thanks to the diligent work of its Trustees, especially Manubhai Lakhani. The group then embarked on a five-year journey to find a suitable property, eventually acquiring the Behal family property in Westlands, which was ideally located on a half-acre of land.

Despite the daunting asking price of 21 million shillings, the group's deep faith in Jalaram Bapa's benevolence kept them going. A committed fundraising initiative was launched, with the property's owner, Savitriben Behal, pledging 1 million shillings and agreeing to a payment plan. A crucial donation of 1 million shillings from Sureshbhai Thakrar helped push the effort forward, and the property was paid for within nine months. The property was officially registered in 1996, and the temple became operational by 1998. Architect Shantilalbhai Lad designed the shikhar (dome structure), and the construction was supervised by engineer and contractor Dineshbhai Shah, with sponsorship from Virjibhai of Sagar Builders.

With the temple in place, the next significant step was the Murti Sthapana (ceremonial placement of symbolic idols) and Prana Pratishtha (formal installation and consecration ceremony) of Jalaram Bapa's murti, along with those of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman. Jyotsnaben Badiani and Neemuben Shah traveled to India to select and procure these murtis. On Jalaram Bapa's bicentennial jayanti (birth anniversary) in November 1999, a grand five-day ceremony was held under the guidance of Shastri Yashvant Maharaj, with more than two thousand devotees attending.

With its own place of worship, the institution was now on solid footing. Regular temple activities, including daily morning and evening arti (worship ritual of offering light) and weekly Thursday satsangs, became a staple, with up to four hundred devotees attending the gatherings. The temple administration, led by a transparent and accountable management team, attracted more donors and volunteers, further strengthening the institution.

A significant milestone was achieved in November 2000 when the road on which the temple stood was officially renamed from Forces Lane to Jalaram Road, thanks to the efforts of Manubhai Lakhani and his son Vinesh. This renaming honored the great saint and marked the temple as a vibrant landmark in Nairobi.

With a stable institutional foundation, the Satsang Mandal's devotees felt an urge to reach out to the needy in Bapa's name. The temple continued to grow as a center of spiritual and social activities, providing a place for devotees to connect with their faith and with each other, while also extending their reach to serve the broader community in the spirit of Jalaram Bapa's legacy of selfless service.

 

Our Facilities:

• A New Jalaram Temple Complex

The new Jalaram Mandir Complex embodies a harmonious blend of spirituality, faith, art, and aesthetics, reflected in its thoughtfully designed spaces. The temple, crafted in line with traditional Hindu architecture and interior décor, serves as the spiritual heart of the complex. It is complemented by a spacious Prayer and Social Hall, and dining facilities that can accommodate over 1,000 people. The complex also features a large kitchen, educational rooms dedicated to culture and heritage, visitor apartments, a Senior's lounge, and areas for administrative offices, board meetings, and group gatherings. A key highlight of the complex is its 460-seat auditorium, equipped with modern technology to host a variety of events, including music, dance, theatre performances, seminars, conferences, and formal public gatherings.

In June 2021, the original murtis from the first temple were ceremoniously consecrated and reinstated in the new temple shrine during a vibrant Prana Pratishtha Mahotsav. This event also featured the traditional ceremonial hoisting of symbolic flags on the temple’s striking new Shikhars, marking a new chapter in the temple’s history.

 

• Jalaram Medical Services, Accessible and Humane Healthcare

Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right that has often been neglected in many societies. In line with our beloved Bapa’s teachings and Principles of Services to all, In 2004-2005, Dr. Yogi Thakkar, a dedicated family physician and Chairman of the Jalaram Satsang Mandal, recognized the urgent need for accessible healthcare services. With the prohibitive costs of private healthcare and the inadequate state of government services, he took the initiative to establish Jalaram Medical Services. What began as a small diagnostic laboratory in a rented townhouse quickly grew into a broader medical service, offering basic pathology tests, portable radiology services, and free outpatient consultations.

Dr. Thakkar's commitment to providing affordable healthcare was supported by key community members, including Amubhai Raja and Manubhai Lakhani, who helped establish a subsidized pharmacy to further the mission. Despite Dr. Thakkar's untimely passing in 2006, his vision continued under the leadership of Dr. Yashvant Sonigra. Dr. Sonigra not only maintained the low-cost services initiated by Dr. Thakkar but also expanded the medical services to meet the growing needs of the community.

As the medical services gained popularity, the need for more space became evident. In 2010, the Trustees and the Satsang Mandal Committee began negotiations to purchase an adjacent property to accommodate the expanding services. The acquisition process, led by Manubhai Lakhani and Rasikbhai Kantaria, took several years and significant fundraising efforts, ultimately costing over 120 million shillings. By 2015, the property was secured, allowing the medical services to relocate and expand.

The Jalaram Medical Services adopted a 'cross-subsidization' model, where patients who could afford to pay subsidized fees helped cover the costs for those who could not. This model allowed the facility to provide necessary care to all patients, regardless of their financial situation. The growth of the outpatient clinic also attracted more medical specialists, including Dr. Harish Rupani, an ENT–Head & Neck Surgeon, who joined the team in 2012 and brought a new level of professionalism and care to the service.

In preparation for future expansion, a specialist in medical architecture from India was consulted to design a comprehensive outpatient medical services centre. The goal was to create an efficient, functional, and aesthetically pleasing facility. Local architects, including Ramjibhai Hirani, Jagdishbhai Rai, and later Rakhee Kantaria, were involved in the design and construction of the new complex.

As the project progressed, the Jalaram Medical Services team recognized the need for major fundraising efforts. In 2014, Dr. Chandu Sheth, a retired family physician with a strong background in philanthropy, joined the team to help realize the vision of a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary medical center. His involvement was crucial in maintaining the principle of 'no patient turned away,' which resonated with his belief in the dignity and sanctity of human life.

The modest outpatient services expanded to include medical oncology (chemotherapy) and diabetes care, addressing increasingly urgent needs in the community. The chemotherapy unit, under the guidance of Surgical Oncologist Dr. Raju Chauhan, grew steadily, with the acquisition of advanced equipment like a state-of-the-art CT scanner.

As plans for the new medical centre took shape, it became clear that a more robust legal framework was needed for the institution. From 2014 to 2016, significant legal administrative work was undertaken to formalize the relationship between Jalaram Satsang Mandal and Jalaram Medical Services, ensuring that the latter could operate as an independent entity under the former's aegis.

In October 2015, a major fundraiser event was held, raising several hundred million shillings in just over an hour. This success allowed the project to gain momentum, and by August 2016, the foundation stone for the new center was laid. Construction progressed rapidly, with the existing services temporarily relocated to a nearby property. Additional services, such as a well-baby clinic, vaccination centre, well-woman clinic, and asthma clinic, were introduced in preparation for the new premises.

In August 2017, the original half-acre plot and the newly acquired one-acre plot were amalgamated into a single title deed, paving the way for the definitive planning of the new medical centre. The guiding principles of volunteer physicians serving both the institution, and the community were central to the development of the new facility. The vision was to modernize and expand the medical services while maintaining high standards of quality and respect for every patient's humanity and dignity.

Today, Jalaram Medical Services stands as a testament to the power of community, philanthropy, and a shared commitment to providing healthcare to those in need. The journey from a small diagnostic lab to a comprehensive medical centre reflects the unwavering dedication of those involved and serves as a beacon of hope for the future of affordable healthcare.