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Madhuban Retreat, Mount Abu is an educational and spiritual complex set
against the serene beauty of Mt.Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan.
It is the head-quarters of world-renowned Brahma-Kumaris spiritual university.
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a monastic community aimed
at Universal peace through the impartation of spiritual knowledge and
training in Easy Raja Yoga Meditation. Literally, the 'Daughters of Brahma'
it's unique feature is that it is headed by women.
Brahma Kumaris was founded by Brahma Baba. A jewel merchant
from Hyderabad, he left his business and turned to the spiritual life
after receiving several trance-like visions of God in the form of Vishnu.
He saw scenes of destruction.
According to these vision, the Kali Yuga (according to
Hindu mythology, Kali Yuga is the present era) was soon to come to an
end and it would be followed by the golden age of the Satyuga. After this
incident, he quit his business and started religious gathering in the
year 1937. At the beginning, only a few people includes his friends and
relatives attended these classes. Slowly, the movement attained pace and
became the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya.
The central teaching of the Brahma Kumaris holds the
parenthood of God and the brotherhood of man and is open to the people
of the entire globe irrespective of their caste, creed, age and social,
economic or political status. The beliefs of Brahma Kumaris are one should
open their heart to God, Raja Yoga is to know the true meaning of life,
the soul is the minuscule point of spiritual light and time is believed
to be cyclic, consisting of five Yugas; the Sat Yuga, the Treta Yuga,
the Dwapar Yuga, the Kali Yuga and Sangam Yuga.
The headquarters of the movement is seated in Mount
Abu. Established by Dadi Prakashmani, it named as Madhuban. An extensive
campus it can house up to 15,000 guests. Annually at least 35,000 residential
guests and is home to 500 permanent residents. The permanent members operate
the 42 departments. Virtue and morality are symbolized by the white clothes
of the brothers and sisters.
Inside the complex there are numerous conference centers,
auditoriums, meditation halls, dining rooms, museums, a sewage treatment
plant and a free hospital. One can enjoy a laser show which helps in the
methods of meditations. Visitors can participate in a free meditation
course (3 days). There is no particular schedule, but classess generally
take about 2 hours day along with meditation classes and consultations
with instructors. The meditation is a combination of satsang (spiritual
discourses) and Raja Yoga meditation. One have to find their own accommodations
and meals outside the ashram. One can also apply at any of the centers
worldwide to stay for two weeks or more. But one should follow Ashram
schedule, which begins with a 4 am meditation and continues 10 pm. One
have to do community work in the morning and afternoon, then attend more
classes in the late afternoon and evening.
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Pilgrim Centers 
