'Ānandāshraya’ at Shirālī, was established by our Tenth Guru and Mat̲h̲ādhipati H.H. Parama Pūjya Shrīmat Parijñānāshram Swāmījī-III in the year 1985 for the purpose of offering shelter in the twilight years to senior citizens of Chitrāpur Sāraswat Community who are financially and socially destitute. ‘Ānandāshraya’ is neither an old-age home, nor is it equipped to admit persons with physical and/or mental disabilities/illnesses. This institution is named after our 9th Guru and Mat̲h̲ādhipati H.H. Parama Pūjya Shrīmat Ānandāshram Swāmījī.
‘Ānandāshraya’ is under the aegis of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h. It is administered by the Mat͟h’s General Manager under the overall supervision and guidance of the Mat̲h̲ādhipati H.H. Shrīmat Sadyojāt Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī.
When a request for ‘āshraya’ (shelter) is received by the General Manager of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h, it is referred by him to a Medical panel comprising experienced volunteers including doctors at Mumbaī / Bangalore, for their review and recommendation which is based upon certain eligibility criteria. If the recommendation is favourable, the same is placed by the GM at the Lotus Feet of H.H. Swāmījī. Upon receiving approval from Swāmījī, the General Manager calls the next of kin / guardian in order to complete certain procedural formalities related to admission.
Accommodation, which is of dormitory type, is separate for male and female residents.
Medical help is made available as and when required. This is apart from the regular periodical health check-ups carried out by the local doctor.
Sometimes the doctor may recommend some special care to a resident. In such cases, there are a few single / double rooms which are meant for those residents who may require special care. This is provided at the discretion of the Medical panel and the General Manager.
The nursing staff at ‘Ānandāshraya’ consists of a qualified nurse, a nursing assistant and they report to a warden.
The nursing staff, offer care and support to the residents in order to ensure the residents lead an independent life as far as possible and with dignity and respect.
The warden carries out the day-to-day supervision.
Other sub-staff are - two watchmen, one maid-servant, one helper.
Residents are served tea/coffee, breakfast, prasāda bhojana two time a day. All of this is prepared in the Mat͟h’s Bhojanashālā.
Bhajana-s are conducted in the evenings from time to time.
There is a provision for audio-video facility. The same is used for playing audio recording of Shrī Chitrāpur Mat͟h Guruparamparā Charitra. Videos of important functions and Āshīrvachana-s of H.H. Swāmījī are also played from time to time for the benefit of the residents.