Devi Mandir

Temple of Divine Mother

The Sacred Yatra of the Great Himalayas

The Himalayas are mentioned in numerous scriptures highlighting the sacredness of this mountain range. Even two of the scriptures that we chant frequently, the Devi Gita and the Chandi Path, make reference to them.

In the Chandi Path, when troubled by the …read more

Summer 2016 Travelogue

The next temple visited was Kedarnath in Uttarkashi.

Here we met with the head sadhu, who explained that when the Shiva Lingam had been discovered, they dug down almost 9 feet under the ground searching for its end. After digging so far and not finding the end of it, a number of snakes appeared from underneath the lingam, … read more

Summer Travelogue Part 2

One of the main temple pujaris said to Swamiji, “We are brahmins, and though we may be considered the highest in Santana Dharma, sannyasis are above even us. So, you are our Guru, we bow to you.

You have shown us what Santana Dharma really is!… read more

Three Practices for Chanting over the Long Haul

For performing the type of long sadhana that Swamiji and I have been doing in Gangotri, the Pranayama Path is the most appropriate style of chanting.

Learn three practices to maintain long continuous chanting— breath after breath, hour after hour. …read more

Who is the Guru?

Enjoy the photo gallery of Guru Purnima put to a beautiful poem describing both the Guru and the Divine Mother. …read more

 

Optimal Place for Sadhana

Gangotri has been a perfect place for us to perform sadhana. The Ganga flows by constantly singing with us as we chant while the while the Himalayas stand strong in the background demonstrating the perfect stillness of how to sit in an asana.

Yet there is something even more important for our sadhana than the surrounding beauty, …read more

Swamiji’s Reflection

There is no reason this should not feel remarkably familiar. We have been doing this same sadhana, this same rhythm of life, even the same quality of life, for literally thousands of years.

We are sitting in the Arati Sthal, the covered veranda in front of the Ganesh Temple …read more

Chanting Multiple Scriptures

As we recite the spectrum of scriptures, we become part of all of the traditions contained therein and we move closer to the universal attitude that the Rishis have reflected.

Everywhere we go, people have respect for our sadhana and are inspired to see all the different sects of Sanatana Dharma joined together in one worship. … read more

The One

During Aashadh Navaratri, Raj Kumar read to Shree Maa a beautiful presentation on his contemplation of the true meaning of life, how we should approach life, and the “Oneness” of God.

Shree Maa enjoyed this so much that She requested we share it with you all.…read more

Only One Thing to Overcome

Here in the Himalayas, engaged in sadhana for most of the day, we have only one thing to overcome, and that is our own selves. Truly, there is nothing else more worthwhile than to be victorious.

Sitting in the asana, reciting the mantras, there is no one to disturb us, but we ourselves.…read more

Sadhana as a Way of Life

Traveling with Swamiji, I have really gotten to see how he makes sadhana a way of life, and how we can as well.

Our daily routine involves studying scriptures in the evening, practicing the recitation in the morning, and taking action in accordance to the scriptures in the afternoon. …read more

Building the Asana

In Gangotri, Swamiji has continued to expand his sadhana, but he never does it in a haphazard way.

He always starts with an amount of sadhana we are accustom to, say the cover to cover Chandi, and grows it day by day. …read more

Asana Siddhi

Those who sit for a short time, invite God to come into their lives. But those who sit for a long time, are praying to God to allow themselves to move into God’s life, and this is really our goal.

We often think that if God would grant our desires, we will achieve happiness.…read more

Support the Sadhus

The sadhus of Gangotri have provided for Swamiji and Swami Adaityananda so not only did they attain their Tapasya goals, but they exceeded them!

Now it is time to empower the generous sadhus with a gift from the Devi Mandir family. …read more

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