At the tender age of 11 years, Ghanshyam Maharaj abandoned the comforts of His home and family, embarking on a remarkable journey of enlightenment, embracing the harsh climate, perilous jungles and ferocious animals. Known as Nilkanth Varni during His travels, the final theme of 2004 was appropriately dedicated to the teenage yogi who transformed countless lives during His seven-year pilgrimage.

The Kishore Mandal quadrant was transformed into a spectacular model of a jungle, as trees and bushes draped across the stage surrounding the standing murti of Nilkanth Varni. The opening slide-show was a prayer extolling that greatness of Nilkanth Varni. The Shibir was introduced by narrating the reasons for Nilkanth Varni’s travels, leaving home in His quest to enlighten and liberate souls.

Nilkanth Varni’s journey spanned across seven years and some 8,000 miles, walking the length and breadth of India. Describing in detail the places and people of His journey, the presentation captured the minds and hearts of the audience as His experience was rekindled through a brilliant presentation, remembering the divine episodes of His travels.

A heart-stirring presentation by the kishores in appreciation of the physical perils inherent in this journey to an ordinary individual portrayed the divine nature of Nilkanth Varni. An ordinary person could not have survived this astounding passage through the bitterly cold mountain terrains; Nilkanth Varni was no ordinary person, but God Himself.

Nilkanth Varni’s message of truth was demonstrated with a dazzling presentation discussing the features of Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahma and Parabrahma – the five eternal entities which Nilkanth Varni sought the opinions of from many ascetics during His travels.

Atmaswarup Swami provided the final conclusion on the evening, drawing comparisons between Nilkanth Varni and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Swamishri continues to travel tirelessly in his quest to enlighten devotees. Nilkanth Varni, leaving home with no possessions renounced materialistic objects, in a manner which is personified by Swamishri today. Such similarity is no coincidence, as, demonstrated earlier, Nilkanth Varni lives and speaks through Swamishri.