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 […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji’s first stop in Himachal Pradesh was Palampur, located in a steep mountainous area with the snow capped Dhauladhar mountain range towering above. Like the Southern Nilagiri Hills, Himachal is known for abundant tea production, but in addition there are wheat fields of various sizes interspersed amidst areas of residential dwellings. Palampur […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji took a morning walk through Delhi’s Rose Garden park. Even in a huge metropolis like Delhi, yoga and meditation play an important role in people’s lives. A morning walk Practicing yoga and meditation amidst the peace and serenity that the park provides

Shree Maa and Swamiji were warmly received in Bangalore where they stopped for a visit and rest along the way. Mantras were ceremoniously recited while their feet were washed and while offerings of flower garlands and light were made. Shree Maa and Swamiji are welcomed with flower garlands

Shree Maa and Swamiji were invited to visit Shiva Sailam, a large temple near Mysore in the state of Karnataka, located amidst lush green fields and surrounded on all four sides by a river which is a tributary to Kaveri. Lord Shiva in the form of Chandramouleshwara and Divine Mother Kamakshi are worshipped daily. There […]

As we drove through India, we were often reminded of another sort of pilgrimmage – to places featured in popular movies. This double rock outcropping in Ramanagara was the setting for the Indian classic film “Sholay” which ran for 286 continuous weeks in a theater in Mumbai. The Mysore Palace. A flat tire is never […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji left Ooty and traveled through a tiger reserve on the way to a temple near Mysore. Next they went to Bangalore, and finally continued on to Delhi. The road from Ooty to Mysore passes through a large tiger reserve and we saw a few wild animals – but no tigers Families […]

Shree Maa and Swamiji meditate as the excitement grows Coming out of meditation, Shree Maa is pleased with the dance performance by a group of children and gives blessings Shree Maa joins the celebration and leads a circle of devotees in a dance around the Sai Baba Murti. See previous section

A large Sai Baba satsang from the Adigaratti village came to the temple to chant, sing and dance for Shree Maa and Swamiji on their last evening in Ooty. Shree Maa and Swamiji are escorted to the temple amidst traditional chants The evening satsang began with a strong recitation from memory of the Ganesh Atharva […]

After the trip to the herbal garden, some devotional dancing was to be performed for Shree Maa and Swamiji. Soon enough though, Shree Maa, Swamiji, and everybody else were dancing too Performing a dance for Shree Maa and Swamiji The Gurus join the fun