Our History
Living a Spiritually Awakened Life
History - Sai Temple Onderdijk
The beginning of the temple...
The story behind the development of a Sai Temple and every activity thereafter…
It all began with Jan and Alida van Velzen, Bas’ parents, by realizing a meditation room in their own home after joining a study group in Hoorn in 1989. The study group transitioned towards Onderdijk, and a temple was born in what was once a bedroom, thus turning a vision into reality.
Alida’s source of inspiration is the books of Sathya Sai Baba- a great Master from India– and Jan followed suit after attending a symposium in Hamburg.
Swami GK with the original cross of the church of Onderdijk
at our previous location at Lambertschaag.(2004)
Alida then thought of visiting India. The opportunity, somehow, presented itself sooner than expected.
On September 24, 1989, Jan tagged along with a group to India, not because the trip seemed to be all that attractive, but due to him being driven by curiosity about the phenomenon of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and a desire to not ‘lose’ his wife.
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Following an extraordinary experience, they returned home and conti9nued on their path, ignited by a new perspective in their enthusiasm, and the living room transformed into their venue for morning studies which culminated in singing (practising devotional songs called 'bhajans') in the temple.
After a few years, singing was also done on Sunday mornings, by now with a decent repertoire.
In 1991, Bas and his brother, Jan Lucas, embarked on a six-month tour of India, during which he met Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Guruswami. Afterwards, despite having gone back to his home in The Netherlands, Bas’ immense attraction towards India led to him revisiting the country. Four years passed by, during which he lived, studied and worked primarily in India, and received spiritual education from Guruswami. Thereafter, he was instructed to undertake the establishment of a place in the Netherlands where people, from any and every background or religion, will get a home.
In 1996, through Guruswami, Bas got introduced to Swami Gopala Krishna who embraced him with utmost love, which led to an unexpected three-month stay. This wound up being confusing for some Baba devotees that Bas went to see Swami Gopala Krishna as a Master besides Sai Baba. A part of the group branched away from 'Onderdijk', but some remained and rapid expansion followed.
On May 3, 1998, the Unity of both Masters is unmistakably expressed with the festive opening of the new temple (in the former bulb shed).
That was the beginning of the temple’s numerous metamorphoses, and Bas (now known as Kannaiah) is the driving force in the Temple of Onderdijk.
Despite the fact that Kannaiah moved twice after his marriage (2001) to Carla Hartog - first for a year to Amsterdam and then to a farmhouse in Lambertschaag - he continued to hold meetings in Onderdijk.
A new construction project of eight houses was realised at the end of the ‘Van Velzen’street and to our great surprise, we, Kannaiah and Carla, moved into our new house right next to Kannaiah's parents' house and temple in August 2011. With the purchase (2016) of the spaces behind Alida's home- father Jan passed on January 24, 2019- we wanted to ensure the continuity of the temple. In doing so, we aim to continue what Jan and Alida started together, with the support of many visitors.
After the MahaSamadhi (passing away) of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (2011), Swami Gopala Krishna, later called Sri Prabhudananda Saraswati Maharaj, to our great shock and sorrow, left His earthly existence on June 11, 2020.
'Corona' time kept us glued to our homes and while temple activities declined, though the temple remained open, a huge renovation started in the autumn of 2020. By hiring professional workers from the local village and with the unprecedented help of a number of loyal volunteers, a beautiful result was achieved.
In retrospect, it is not so surprising that we entered a new phase.
Another Master unexpectedly presented himself!
On August 7, 2021, Mohanji visited the temple. And ... history repeated itself: Mohanji's presence proved confusing to some visitors of the temple, devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and/or Gopala Krishna Baba.
In fairness, we too were hesitant and sceptical at first, although we had sent out a prayer that someone might come our way to give Sathsangs (gatherings) through knowledge transmission. In this, Mohanji turned out to be an answer to our prayer. Eventually, it became clear to us that 'Tradition' had sent Mohanji.
The realisation that Masters, irrespective of Their 'dress', have the role of showing humanity the way inwards and thereby coming to our aid in Kali Yuga (Iron Age, in which we are living on earth right now) with the aim of enhancing transformation into another dimension. Meanwhile, a picture of Mohanji is present in the temple, a way to express Unity of Consciousness of Masters.