We felt so blessed to be welcomed for satsang inside the small cave house of a pure and gentle soul, Swami Swaswarupananda. Swami Swaswarupananda originally studied in Belur Math in Kolkata before moving to Uttarkashi some 15 years ago. Here he built his one room house as an extension from a natural cave in the […]

The beauty of Uttarkashi’s natural environment provides a harmonious and supportive setting for the spiritual way of life which persists since ancient times. There is an abundance of wildlife, the water and air are clean and clear, and the extensively terraced hills are cultivated by local farmers as they have been for centuries. Terraced hillsides […]

About seven kilometers up the river from Uttarkashi is the Shivananda Ashram led by Swami Premananda. Swami Satyananda and a few devotees dropped by for a joyful visit. The Shivananda Ashram provides medical care, education and other social services for the neighboring villagers, but even more impressive was the radiant bliss of Swami Premananda whose […]

Swamiji led a few devotees on a journey from Rishikesh to higher (and cooler) ground, the ancient city of Uttarkashi. The name Uttarkashi contains a reference to Benares, also once known as Kashi, or the City of Light, with its ancient Vishwanath Temple. Uttarkashi which has the Northern Vishwanath Temple can be translated as the […]

As Rishikesh sweltered under rising temperatures, the wild elephants from the Rajaji National Park headed to the river to drink and cool off. The National Park provides habitat for a variety of wild animals including tigers and lions, which local children claim to have seen. Shree Maa and Swamiji enjoyed watching the elephants, who visit […]

The full moon shone brightly on Buddha Purnima, a beautiful sight as it rose above the hills over the Ganga in Rishikesh. Buddha Purnima marks the date of Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, and falls on the day of the full moon in May. Swamiji performed the Satyanarayan Puja to commemorate the full moon […]

Rishikesh is home to many sadhus who perform a variety of austerities. Here a sadhu on the bank of the river performs the five fires austerity under the heat of the sun. Swami Satyananda also used to perform the five fires austerity, though with the five fires continuously burning brightly and some other differences. This […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji have returned to Rishikesh, an ancient city near the source of the Ganga. Long ago, Swami Satyananda spent several years in secluded worship in this location, and it was also here in Rishikesh that he completed his first translation of the Chandi Path. View of the Ganga during a morning walk […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji stayed in Dharamshala for a few days. The early morning view of the high mountain range is incredible. Later in the day the mountains often become shrouded in clouds. Mountain views from Dharamshala Swamiji, Shree Maa, and Sanjay enjoying the scenery The Dalai Lama’s abode and temple were a little higher […]

Half way from Palampur to Dharamshala, Shree Maa and Swamiji went to the Chamunda Temple for a morning recitation of the Chandi. Many devotees visiting the temple sang devotional songs with strong bhava. Shree Maa and Swamiji appreciated the strong spiritual atmosphere of this ancient location and returned the next day to recite the Rudrashtadhyayi […]