Divine land of Ganeshpuri

Note: All views are entirely the personal views of the author and is an open expression of sharing the journey with those who enjoy similar experiences. Reader's discretion is advised. Namah Shivaya.

Ganeshpuri has been and will always be a special place for me for it is from this land i started my spiritual journey. It was to this land that my Bade Baba called me close to about 3 years back. (For more on my first encounter with Bade Baba click here) This is my fourth visit to this divine place and have never preferred writing about the magical visits here. This time i prefer to write because it is more than the routine limited space of Ganeshpuri that we must be knowing. From the very first visit to this place i somehow felt there is an astral world in this place. Over months, i was collecting more information in and around the places of Ganeshpuri and often wondered why Bade Baba after walking a stretch from Kanhangad through the coastal land preferred to arrive at Vajreshwari and settle down at Ganeshpuri and taking samadhi here. i am fully aware that whatever i think or write or perceive is very, very, very limited and tiny to what one can write about a divine incarnation - Bhagwan Nityananda.

Old photo of Karunakar Swami

It all happened pretty quick. As Ganeshpuri was lingering in my mind, Pratap from Goa contacted one evening regarding Kanhangad visit. Quickly he said that he was planning to be in Mumbai soon and we soon fixed up a date one weekend matching his day also informing that Shyam would join. Surprisingly, Sivadas from Chennai contacted for something the next morning and i spoke of this plan and he said he also was planning to be in Mumbai around the same time and said was eager to join. Mumbai seemed to be a common word. Now i could confirm that it was to meet the living Siddha in Mumbai who lives in Mumbai, who is the disciple of Shaligram Swami (close disciple of Nityanand Baba) whom people called Karunakara Swami. Swami Vijayanand of Bevinkoppa ashram often spoke to me about him and his leelas and his experiences with this divine being who  knew everything even before people arrived to meet him. However, he preferred to stay in the same place for 40 plus years after Baba Nityananda instructed him to do so and he stays in one of the biggest slums of Mumbai in a Labour Camp in Matunga, Mumbai. Swami Vijayanand had instructed me to meet Swamiji more than a month back and it was now that i could fructify it with the Ganeshpuri visit.

On 16th November morning, me and Shyam bhai reached Borivilli by an overnight private bus from Belgaum and Pratap and his brother reached the same place by an overnight train from Goa. i called up Manju anna (Manjunath) an ardent disciple of Bade Baba and Swami Vijayananda, who was so very kind to come and pick us up and drop us in a hotel where he had arranged things for us. Giving us some time to freshen up, he left and returned at 9 a.m. and we left towards Matunga. Meanwhile, Sivadas had taken an early morning flight from Chennai and was waiting at the Santa Cruz airport. We picked him up on the way.. was delighted to meet him after our last meet a month back at Bevinkoppa Ashram. Manju anna visits Karaunakara Swami regularly and thus easily took us to this place. The entire area was slum. As i looked around i was lovingly surprised at the areas where Siddhas chose to reside - all for mankind. 

The slums of Mumbai from hotel room

We parked the car and moved through the slum huts and came into a wide-door space surrounded by four walls and a ceiling and in the center of it grew a huge tree that grew out of the ceiling. There were few people sitting and chatting on the floor. There were idols of Lord Ganesha and other dieties at the trunk of the tree and on one wall adorned a huge photo of Nityananda Baba adorned with lit lamps. We offered our sweets and fruits at this place. Only when Manju anna went and prostrated at the feet of one of the men sitting on the floor did i know it was Karunakara Swami! He wore a towel around his waist and there were spectacles on his nose. He worse socks and also had some wounds on his legs, which were liked the wounds i had seen on Jungli Das Maharaj during my Shirdi visit. They did not seem to be 'their' wounds :) He had few grey hair and was speaking to two persons sitting in front of him in Tulu. Manju anna sat in front of him and Swamiji spoke some things to him and looked at us behind Manju anna and signaled us with his hands to sit down. We immediately sat down. Manju anna and Swami Vijayanand has spoken so much about Karunakara swami that i knew there was nothing to expect here as He knew everything. Swamiji speaks  whatever comes to his mind and there may or not be continuity in his speech. He speaks in Tulu and less in other languages. He speaks what he wishes and can be straight and rude at times. He does not have much publicity nor does have people coming to him easily because of his open words. He knows everything about the person in front of him and often opens it up quite openly and hence not everyone prefer to meet him :)

The only photo of
Karunakar Swamiji i was
able to get

He did not speak anything to us but spoke a lot to Manju anna and as he did he gave us occasional glances and sometimes stares. i just closed my eyes and meditated there and the energies there could be sensed easily as strong... a very meditative space amidst a slum of so much noise and lower vibrations! As he spoke no one spoke and Swamiji's questions to them were very assertive that was seemingly not able to be answered back to him while some shed tears as he spoke. Some just sat there with eyes closed. 

Swami Vijayanand had once shared many stories of his own with Karunakara Swami. During the time when Swamiji had just set up the ashram, someone with some neck problem had visited Swami Vijayanand and was soon cured, but Swami Vijayanand found it difficult to swallow food. When he met Karunakara Swami, he immediately told him that he had taken the karma of that person and asked him to be given something specific to drink and as soon as Swami Vijayanand did it, he was able to eat after that. Also before Swami Vijayanand had set up the ashram, while he lived near the caves of Sogal and did sadhana someone from the village used to regularly bring Vijayanand Swami tea and biscuits. Once when Vijayanand Swami met Karunakara Swami, he was quickly asked, "So how were the tea and biscuits that came to you?" and that was time Swami Vijayanand realized it was Karunakara Swami who was sitting there and managing things for him here. Swamiji did not like being photographed or recorded. Manju anna told me that his words always make sense and is understood when he is speaking but when he comes out he cannot recollect them. So one day, Manju anna thought of recording what Swamijii says and tried to pulled his cell to record to which Karunaka Swami immediately resorted to put it back stating, "Keep it in, it is not required." Another time when the people of press were there, they asked Karunakara Swami permission to click and Manju anna laughingly said that for one full hour the cameras did not work and later Karunakara Swami teasingly laughed over this matter. We sat there for long that Sunday morning and it couldn't have been more pleasant and divine than this. As he spoke, all eyes were fixed on him. Though not a single word could be understood, there was so much one could receive from him by just 'being there'. Soon, Swamiji signalled to the people in front of him to leave and as they got up Manju anna also got up. Swamiji took the little bags containing fruit and prasad and gave it to each one of us as we touched our heads to his feet. The extremities of his hands and feet were worn out and he wore socks. This was due to the intense years of sadhana he did in Himalayas after Bade Baba had instructed him to do so and after that he has never gone anywhere after he came here to this place. As all left, Swamiji was talking to a person and i went to the altar of Bade Baba and stayed bowed there for a while. As i did, i heard Swamiji stop speaking and i wondered if he was looking at me. As i got up and turned he was. i immediately folded my hands and bowed taking leave and he nodded in agreement. Just that one moment was the most magical time for me in the whole meeting.

Samadhi Shrine at night

Since it was already noon, we had a happy lunch itself. We were planning to go to the ancient Kanheri Caves in Borivilli and then take a train to Vasai and then a bus to Ganeshpuri, but Manju anna was so kind enough that he insisted that he would drive us to Ganeshpuri. As we drove towards Ganeshpuri which was around 80 kms from here, Manju anna shared more stories about Karunakara Swamiji and his mystical ways. After an hour's drive we approached the holy land of Ganeshpuri, another place itself camouflaged on earth :) Driving up the holy hill, we parked in front of the ashram and soon got rooms that was also kindly arranged by Manju anna.

Ma Bhadrakali

We visited first the Samadhi Mandir of Bade Baba and the Maa Bhadrakali Temple Manju anna preferred to leave. i cannot thank him enough for him leaving his busy meetings and business behind and making time for us and all his great help. We then went to our rooms and freshened up. Then, we went around every place of importance. i could not wait to rush to my most favorite spot, the huge chair of Bade Baba, where he would often be sitting, in Kailash Nivas. Moving into the huge hall of Kailash Nivas, the abode of Bhagwan Nityananda, is enough to bring one to another dimension. One has to be only be present and aware of this place where Baba spent more than 25 years where thousands from all over flocked to have a darshan and where Baba did so many leelas.

Stopping at all places at the places Baba often sat or laid down, we then moved to the Swami Shaligram Samadhi Temple, my favorite place after the Kailash Nivas and Nityananda Samadhi Temple. i have had beautiful experiences here in my previous visits and this is a very powerful place. i love the atmosphere here during the arati time here. Swami Shaligram's cot, asana and padukas are kept here close to his samadhi that faces the South. Swami Shaligram, a very close disciple of Baba had taken Jeeva Samadhi (leaving body at will) at a very young age, just three months before Bade Baba took samadhi after taking permission from Bade Baba.

Shaligram Swami's Samadhi

In 1961, Bade Baba instructed, "Shaligram is mahayogi. He wishes Jeeva Samadhi. Construct a good tomb.  Place his body facing south. He is Agni, the Fire God. Do not break open his head for He shall be at the service of devotees for the next 500 years." Shaligram Swami's has a fascinating and powerful look that connected one very easily. We did not want to miss the evening 7 p.m. arati here and since there was time, we went to the Bangalorewala building. This place was built by Baba's disciples few weeks before Bade Baba's Samadhi and this building has many dormitories and rooms that houses large number of pilgrims. On one floor is a huge hall which has a bed, on which Bade Baba left his body on August 8, 1961 at 10:42 a.m. This hall has a provisions for sitting and meditating. Through the window can be seen the Tansa river. After a while here, we attended the arati at Shaligram Swami's Samadhi.

Bed on which Bade Baba left his body in Bangalorewala Building

While we strolled through the stalls, we were told by one person there about the places around, something that i was very keen visiting this time. He spoke about Lord Parashuram spending most of his childhood days there at the Holy Mandakini Mountain where he had also performed a yagna. We were interested to go and told him clearly that we were not going for visit and we would be meditating on those locations and that it could take time. He said that we could book a taxi and one of them agreed to join us.

The 3 hot water kund (springs)
Photo source: Internet 

We then had dinner and went early to bed and got up next morning at 3 a.m. and went straight to the hot kunds (hot natural springs) and took bath. Bade Baba often sent people to bathe here as cure to ailments. This spring has healing powers and these three springs are next to the Samadhi temple of Bade Baba in front of the Bhimeshwar Temple. All three kunds have different temperature ranging from mild to hot. Bade Baba himself told many devotees that many divine beings come here for bath at the Brahmamuhutra and some devotees even had the fortune of witnessing these. One night Mrs. Muktabai who went  for a bath in the hot kund, saw some handsome youths who rushed from the spring tanks and disappeared inside the temple. When she told Bade Baba about this, Baba said that they were the Sanatkumars (the four sons of Brahma born of his mind alone-Sanakan, Sanadan, Sanatan, and Sanatkumaran). i was once told that these three kunds represent the three granthis - Bramha granthi (warmest kund), Vishnu granthi (warmer kund), Rudra granthi (warm kund).

Shivalinga in Bhimeshwar temple
Photo source: Internet 

After a bath here, we meditated in the Bhimeshwar temple, the oldest Shiva temple in this area built during the 6th century. When Bade Baba arrived in Ganeshpuri in 1936, he lived behind this temple that had an ancient Shivalinga. At that time, the entire Ganeshpuri and adjourning areas was a dense jungle with wild animals. Meditating here is possible only during early hours of the morning in 'off-season' time as otherwise there are devotees walking in for worship. After this we moved into the Samadhi Temple for the early morning 4 a.m. kakad arati. 

Samadhi place of Bade Baba
Photo source: Internet 

Everyone meditated in the places they preferred until the 6 am arati. i spent my time in Kailash Nivas at Bade Baba's bed and chair. One cannot deny his eternal presence in these locations. At 6 came to the Samadhi Temple and this arati is very divinely experience for me. i have seen shaktipath happening to people (especially westerners) during this arati. It is extremely powerful if one is connected at this moment. The beautifully lit large hall in which rests the mortal remains of Bade Baba above which is placed his beautiful life-size, real-looking Panchaloha idol to which the arati is done in all glory of many lit lamps in the hands of the priest. What adds to the heavenly experience is the splendid majestic rhythmic beats of the drum (they indeed awaken your kundalini) and the bells ringing in rhythm and pace of the arati lamps in the hands of the priest. The whole hall vibrates divinely and one has the best opportunity to remain in heavenly bliss.

After this, we quickly had our breakfast and were ready to go by 8 a.m. The taxi (Sumo) arrived. It is surprising that we always have to have an uncle or aunty in every trip of ours. This time we were also joined by Uncle Subhash Amin, a follower of Swami Vijayananda; uncle was already in Ganeshpuri for a one-week visit. We told him that it could be hectic and time-consuming and moreover we would prefer to be much in silence and he seemed to be okay with it. The trip began towards the Mandakini Mountain. Bade Baba mentioned that many famous Siddhas lived in the mountain. The great Sage Vasishta performed a yagna here at Ganehspuri. The hot kunds (more than 360 of them) in this area were created by Sage Vasishta the comfort of the sages who had come for the yagna. In very ancient times many famous Siddhas have done tapas in this region. During one of the yagna, Sage Vasishta installed the idol of Lord Ganesh in a temple and thus the name 'Ganeshpuri'. There are two temples near the mountain ranges; One of the temples belongs to Shiva and the other to Renukamata, who was Parashuram’s mother.

On our way to Mandakini Mountain (seen in the distance)

The Mandakini Mountain

We reached the foothill of the Mandakini Mountain, which is on the border of Wada and Bhiwandi talukas. First we stopped at Amba temple at Gunj-Kati. This is actually the original place of Vajreshwari Maa. This is the place where Sage Vasishta prayed to the Mother and he got darshan of the Goddesses. Only later was the shift made from here to the famous Vajreshwari Temple near Ganeshpuri. This temple is closed, but the person who assisted us had got the keys on the way from one of the houses in the village.

The temple was powerful and we sat in meditation for a while. Right outside the temple is the Bhagirathi Tirtha (kund).

As the others were still meditating, i came out and went into the trees behind the temple and sat besides a stream of water. Just sitting here was meditative enough. This entire place emitted high vibes. After a while i came back and joined others back to the taxi and we moved a little further about a kilometer reaching the foothill of Bhaargavaraam Hill. The person took us to a location nearby a lake and pointed out that a Siddha had taken samadhi in the lake. i presume it would be a jal samadhi.

He then pointing to huge black stones that looked as old as creation and mentioned that this was the place where Bala Parshuram lived. It was unbelievable that we were standing on such places. We spent some moments in silent contemplation there. 

Then he pointed out to a temple hidden among the trees on the hill, which was an old temple of Lord Parashurama. We then began climbing the hill. The sun was blazing but the sense of being in this awareness of divine energies made it just easy :) As we walked, he told us that Sri Adi Shakaracharya also has visited this area.

The Parashuram Temple seen from a distance

Parashuran Temple

This temple is beliieved to have been built by Bhima (pandava) and he shared that this temple was worshiped by many and many sages including tantriks came for sadhana. We were told there are some mysteries to this temple. On entering the temple it was enchantingly beautiful and we got into a deeper enclosure where the idol of Lord Parshurama stood. He had brought water from the kund and did abhishekam and collected the water back. By now it was quite evident that he was a staunch follower of Lord Parshurama and not just he but the villages around here also were. 

He spoke about many legendary stories and also shared that he visited these places alone quite often and has even stayed overnight on the Mandakini Mountain. It was quite obvious with the way he navigated through this place and had so much of information. i could see that he was continuously pouring out information and could see that he was happy to share it because it must be rare for him to get someone who are interested in these things :) Behind the temple was a path to climb through the rocks and he guided us up there and showed us a spot where a much-feared tiger used to live. There were tigers and wild animals spotted beyond the Mandakini Mountain even these days. He told us that none till date succeeded in living in this temple or around this temple. If anyone attempted some weird things happened to make one run out of there. Anyone with ill-motives is believed to get 'driven' out from here. Lord Parshuram is believed to walk these hills even today and many claim to have seen him.

Deeper into the forest

Then after snacking over biscuits and water, we moved further into the forest guided by him. He seemed to know every piece of land in that area for he very casually walked through the trees and shrubs, talking all the while and stopping at regular intervals to tell us the significance of those spots or information about the area, which quite surprised me on his abundant knowledge about the historical events and the awareness of current mysteries that happen there.

He seemed to be happy emptying all that he knew for he must have found it worthwhile after a long time because our hunger for it increased as he revealed things one by one. We sometimes stopped at places just to feel that place and to do some energy work. All the while i was walking in awareness of the total area and surroundings. Mystical things happen when one does this. 

After descending down the hill through the greens, we came to a small hut that seemed to be the only huts in those mountains. As we entered, i switch on my cam in the video mode and was wondering what it could be. As i was shooting, i followed him, who entered the hut and outside in the verandah of the hut was a cot and someone sleeping with a bedsheet covered over the face. He gently touched him and as the sheet uncovered, a surprised face of a thin old bearded man came out of the sheet. He looked very happy and surprised to see him, and i kept shooting with the cam. Then he revealed that this hut was the samadhi of Siddha Shankar Swami and this yogi was living here at this samadhi since 40 years! We all fell at his feet and he blessed us laughing happily and was only saying "Baba, Baba" loving to all. He seemed to know only Telugu fluently but then was managing to speak Hindi in bits. 



Swamiji then asked everyone to visit the samadhi inside. There was only one room inside and in the center of this room was a huge samadhi built. It looked very obvious that Swamiji was living outside this hut in the verandah because inside apart from the Samadhi only a few things were hung to the wall and other materials were a few vessels and the very few of his possessions. Behind the samadhi was a photo of Baba Nityananda. 

The Jeeva Samadhi of Swami Shankar

After we visited the samadhi we came out. Swamiji then sent us down below a few meters from there to a stream and asked us to wash ourselves there. This was the stream where the Siddha used to bathe and drink water. This Siddha lived on one spoon of soaked grams for all the years he lived there. 
I was very surprised to know that Siddha Shankar Swami was sent by Nityanand Baba here to do tapas and he followed the instructions of his master. He is said to have demonstrated leaving his body for a few times before he actually took samadhi. We then went to the crystal clear pool and washed ourselves in the enclosure where he used to take bath and on one end of the stream was another man-made enclosure made for drinking water and he used to drink water here. i found this water crystal clear with small fishes in it. We drank water from here and also re-filled our bottles here.

Then, we came back to the hut where Swamiji was waiting for us. i could not understand what he was doing but only later we could know. Like, he started sweeping the floor and i thought it was his regular work, but later i understood he did that to spread out the mats so that we could sit and meditate there :) He then asked us to come into the samadhi and he did arati and asked us to to do parikrama of the samadhi. At one point, he even sternly told us how to do the parikrama correctly by himself demonstrating it. He seemed to be speaking whatever came to his mind and that sometimes was laughter, love, sternness and even sometimes things blunt and straight to the point. After the arati, we sang "Jai Jai Arati Nityananda" which the Swami sang in his own way holding the two bells standing on one leg. Swamiji seemingly in his 80s, missed a few words of the arati here and there but sang it loud and from his heart. He then went out as we sat there for sometime. When we came out he was insisting that we have food and that he would cook for us. He finally convinced him only for black tea which he got working over very lovingly. While that happened he asked us to sit and meditate over the mats he had spread out lovingly for us. As we sat he brought even a deer skin asana and asked us to use it but we didn't. He then threw rudraksha and sphatik malas into our hands asking us to wear those. Just to keep his loving gesture we wore them and sat and meditated there along with his cat that came and sat besides with us playing and purring. As we ended our meditation, i overheard that Swamiji was speaking to some villager who had come there to meet him. He was telling him angrily that the villager is not following what he was asked to do. In the same line i heard him tell the village not to smoke there as people are meditating. When we came to Swamiji the villager was none other than the person who owned all the land there including the land on which the hut was. We spoke to him for a while in Marathi who had reverence for Swamiji. He told us that Swamiji was a grihast who had entered into Sanyas and had come here more than 40 years before and lived here alone. Some villagers built a small hut over the samadhi and have been providing few things required for Swamiji's food there. The villager had brought along two of his small grandchildren whom i saw Swamiji offering handful of sugar. We gave the kids chocolates and spoke to Swamiji for a while. His words were not clear to understand due to heavy language accent and old age but the essence of the messages were clear. As we were planning to leave, i fell at his feet again and thanked him profusely for his love and everything to which he laughed loudly. As i folded my hands and looked into his eyes, he told me few things and in that flow of words he mentioned something alarming in total simplicity. He said Lord Parashuram came few times at night and asked him 'Why have you come here?' and that Swamiji told him 'I came here for you!' and then Lord Parashuram would walk away. Swamiji told me that he came here years back and pointing his hand up towards the sky said that he was living on his support and for him. All the while he kept praising Baba Nityananda for everything. Then, pointing out into the forest, he showed me the way Lord Parshuram came and the way he left. As we all took his leave, Swamiji insisted to him that we take that path only back, the path which he said Lord Parashuram came and went frequently. Though this path was little deviated from the path we had come here, he took us through that path. Without any question we went that way knowing there must have been some reason why he asked us to do so. We bid goodbye to the villager also and left back towards our taxi parked on the other side of the hill. After walking under the hot sun and missing our way for a while, we later walked through fields, rocky elevations, water bodies and finally spotted the taxi. Near the taxi there were children playing around and it seemed the school had just left them. We brought them all sweets and then headed back towards Vajreshwari. (All this is covered in the end of this article)



As we were on the outskirts of the village, he asked the driver to stop and ran into a hut to enquire something and signalled us to come. As we went, he introduced us to the priest there, who was responsible for renovating the old temple and starting puja there up the hill in the Parashuram temple. He invited us for prasad and took us into his hut where there were idols of Maa Vajreshwari and Lord Parashuram. He did arati and prayed for us alland gave us all prasad after we took his blessings. He was a loving person and so erre all of his family members who treated us all with so much of love. We then bid the priest and his family goodbye.

Then we headed towards Vajreshwari stopping at one restaurant on the highway for lunch. From there we went to Akloli near Vajreshwari, where Bade Baba lived for 8 years first place after entering Vajreshwari before he went to Ganeshpuri and cleaned up the area and made an ashram. We visited the temples and all the possible hot water kunds in front of the Vajreshwari temple. Here is worshiped the padukas of Bade Baba.


Vajreshwari is also famous for its hot-water sulphur springs, which are supposed to be medically good for the skin and bones. These kunds were where the river Tansa flowed and far behind the river was still visible the Mandakini Mountain. It was a beautiful view. Then coming back to the taxi and keeping our footwear in the vehicle itself, we moved towards the Vajreshwari temple.

Hot Kunds near the river Tansa just opposite to Vajreshwari Temple

The Mandakini Mountain holding it's strong presence in Vajreswari

The Vajreshwari temple is perched at the foothill of a hill. On the top of this hill is a Samadhi of a Siddha. The path to this Samadhi is led by stone steps.

Last time i had come to the temple, i had an excellent time with Sri Vidya sadhana here and we all had decided to do the same here. Never did i know there was a Siddha samadhi above the temple. We went into the temple and had darshan of the three main goddesses here - Vajreshwari, Kalika, and Renuka Devi. 



I had never noticed who the three goddesses were until this time and it was only now it was evident to me how this place was connected to the Anand Ashram in North Karnataka including the places i traveled from there. Anand Ashram is the place where Lord Parashuram was there because his mother (Renuka Devi) had lived there in Saundatti, which is around 35 kms from the ashram and and only further 25 kms is Kalika Devi's home at Sirsangi. So, after our travel to these places and meditating there, we were able to come this time to the hills near Mandakini that was the original place of Vajreshwari Maa and Lord Parashuram's birth place. Lord Parashuram was imparted with the knowledge of advaita by Lord Dattatreya near Saundatti and the conversations that took place between them was written as "Tripura Rahasya" by Lord Parashuram's disciple - Maharishi Sumedha who was also initiated into Sri Vidya by Lord Parshuram. The samadhi of Maharishi Sumedha is where Anand Ashram (read) is built in Bevinkoppa. i am amazed at these chain links.


After darshan and being in this highly energetic space in front of the idols, we decided to first go up the hill and visit the Siddha Samadhi first before settling down for Sri Vidya sadhana in front of the Mother. As we tread on the stony path, a much more clearer view of Ganeshpuri and surrounding areas became evident. This place is not much known but can be a treat to sadhaks on the Siddha marg. We spent some moments here. Photographs are not allowed here.  As i came out and caught an enchanting view of the entire area from top of this divine hill, i could see the Mandakini Mountain standing in its glory; it actually never left our sight from the time we came back from there and was visible at every point till here and is also visible from Ganeshpuri. We then moved down the hill back to Vajreshwari Temple and did our Sri Vidya sadhana there. By the time we finished it was dark.

View from top of the hill is seen Tansa River and Mandakini Mountain

We then had some tea and snacks in a hotel and went to the place where Bade Baba used to sit near the samadhis of many saints. 

Paduka of Goraknathji

Two of these were told by Baba to be the samadhis of Mahasiddha Machendranath and his disciple  Mahasiddha Gorakshanath of the Natha Sampradaya (lineage) and one of the 84 Mahasiddhas. There is a reference in the Navnath Granth of Machendranath meeting the Vajreshwari Maa, who was then blessed with many spiritual powers.  

Paduka of Machendranathji

The Nath lineage are considered to be the initiators of Hatha-Vidya, Laya-Yoga, Nada-Yoga and Kundalini-Yoga. Gorakshanathjiis also the founder of yoga orders of Kanphatas, Nathas, Gorakhanathas and Kaulas, comprising of the Tantra Yoga tradition. 


We went into this place that was also the house of Swami Shankar Tirth, who was directed by Baba Nityananda to stay here. He did so but the next morning returned to Baba visibly shaken after being troubled the frightening nightmares cobras attacking him and asking him to leave the place. 

Samadhi of Shankar Swami

But Baba Nityananda sent him back and announce on whose orders he was there. Swamiji returned back the next morning with the same complaint and this time again Baba asked him to go back and announce on the threatening forces who had sent him and this time there was peace restored and Swamiji lived there. Swamiji's samadhi is here and so are the padukas of Machendranathji and Gorakshanathji. After speaking to the loving and smiling person who now lives there, we left towards Ganeshpuri 

Photo of Nityanand Baba and Shankar Swami

The last moment before just reaching the ashram we decided to pay a visit to the Govind Swami's Samadhi at Bhiwali, at the outskirts of Ganeshpuri. He was a close disciple of Baba Nityananda, who was a strict Brahmin and had pride on the caste system. To break the ego, Bade Baba sent him to work in a slaughter house and Swamiji did go there, thus having speedy spiritual progress. This house has very good vibrations but since we were getting late, we could not spend much time here. But this is one place one must sit and meditate. We would surely next time :)  

After paying respects to the Samadhi place and the small Shivalinga temple, we left back to Ganeshpuri ashram. We had food and we back in our rooms. Soon we were all sound asleep.

Next morning we woke up at 4 a.m. and took bath in the hot water kund and as usual meditated for a while in the Bhimeshwar temple and then after the Kakad arati, i went to my favorite spots at Kailash Nivas and returned for the main arati at 6 a.m. After breakfast, we decided to go up this Ganeshpuri Hill to meet Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswati where he had his own ashram. i had met Swamiji during one of my travel who had invited me to his ashram at Ganeshpuri. More than anything, i was keen to go here because this was a divine spot having samadhi of Siddha Sankara Swami and also the spot where Karunananda Swami of Gokul had done tapas. Karunananda Swami was a disciple of Baba Nityananand who on instructions of Baba spent the rest of his time in Gokul till his samadhi. Also, i wanted to visit the At the same time, Balu Maharaj, one of the chief priests of Baba's Samadhi temple, had been inviting me for lunch but due to time constraints had promised him we would come for tea and thus we decided to go there first and then up the hill.


Balu Maharaj's house, whose house is at a walkable distance, been doing arati at Bade Baba's samadhi since 1978. Sitting there, he shared a lot of stories of Bade Baba's leelas. After being here for about an hour and taking prasad, we took leave of him.

Then, we went up the hill to an ashram on the hilltop named Bramhapuri. Swamiji was out of town and so we could not meet him, but the man in the ashram took us around and showed the prominent spots. We meditated at the Samadhi of Siddha Sankar Swami (in the video below) A little distance further was a small Dattatrey temple below a pipal tree, which was the spot where the Siddha used to meditate.

View from top of the Ganeshpuri Hill

Below is seen the bridge over Tansa river

Then coming down the hill, we attended the arati at the Samadhi temple and had lunch. Then returning to our rooms, we took a brief power nap and soon were packing up our bags. We met an elderly lady who had a beautiful voice; she had sung a beautiful song at the Bhadrakali temple the previous morning and we requested her to sing. She and her husband readily came into our room and sang Mahishasurmardini and we accompanied her.  


Thanking her after she left we made our way to Siddha peetha to visit Baba Muktananda's samadhi place. Since it is not open the whole day, we waited for it to be 4 p.m. and then took an auto there. The vibrations here were splendid and we meditated here for a while after having darshan of the Shakti temple here, which is also a powerful place. It was beautiful to connect with Baba Muktananda, whose book i had read and that had brought me to Ganespuri 3 years back (read). It was time to leave. Then we took the auto back and picked up our bags and walked to the Ganeshpuri bus stand and in few minutes got the bus to Vasai. i had my train back home from Vasai, whereas others took a local train from here to Dadar. After they left, i spend few hours on the platform after dinner, reading a book and listening to music. Boarding the train, i reached back home the next day by noon.


Lastly, as we left the accommodation at Shaligram Nivas, i could not miss to admire and adore a few pictures of Shaligram Swami in the hall. Every picture of them both fails to hide the silence in the photos and just bursts our with their energy exchanges. Two pictures caught my eyes and i stared and stared at the love exchange between Bade Baba and Shaligram Swami. They spoke volumes of their closeness. When Bade Baba looks away, Shaligram Swami stares at Bade Baba with so much of love and when Shaligram Swami looks away, Bade Baba stares at him with so much of affection. It's like how two close people when look at each other the other pretends not to know that the other is looking :) :) :) . i captured those two pics on the cam, which are below.

A splendid journey with so much of encounters with the world of the physical and nonphysical realms. Three days but the activities seemed to be of three weeks!

An everlasting gratitude to Bade Baba and all holy Siddhas.

Namo Namah! 


Video coverage of the entire trip

To read Kanhangad experiences click here.

Kanhangad - 6th Visit

Note: This is one of our regular trip to Kanhangad. Not all personal experiences are shared here unless wished by the one who experience it. Those experiences or emotions or feelings shared in these posts are at reader's discretion.

Nityananda Samadhi Temple built above the 45 caves

After nother trip to the divine place of Kanhangad and few other places in Kerala and Karnataka back home to share it to all divine souls.

Kanhangad

As usual, the entire team met at Mangalore Central, 6 were already in the Bangalore train and the rest of 14 people met at Mangalore railway station and boarded the same train to reach Kanhangad.  After about 1 hour 15 minutes, we reached Kanhangad station and took 5 autos to the ashram.

We quickly spread into the ashram rooms and after a quick briefing about what the entire trip is going to be like, we freshened up and soon we all went into the 45 caves that is the major part of the ashram. Of these 45 enclosures, a few caves are in which Bade Baba himself meditated. We all sat by turn in that cave for few minutes before spreading out into the cave enclosures of one's choice.

After that, as the bells rang for the Nityananda Arati at the Samadhi temple, we left the caves and attended the arati followed by the arati at Swami Jananada Samadhi temple. 

Swami Janananda Samadhi Temple

Then, after lunch, we all left to Padiyar Swamiji's house. As all our trips, we made our visit to the round table built by Bade Baba, where he sat and spoke about future events to public that surprised everyone as it appeared in the next day's newspaper. From here is just a few steps to Padiyar Swami's Samadhi and house. All details of these places have been mentioned in the posts related to our earlier visits. (Click to read) After visiting the samadhi, everyone spread out into different rooms of Swamiji's house, wherever one felt connected to and meditated. After meditating, we all sat in the hall and talked for sometime, when Ganapathyji made us some tea.

Round Table built by Bade Baba at Kushal Nagar, Kanhangad

Padiyar Swamiji's bedroom

In a sitting room of Padiyar Swamiji's home

The paduka said to have been given by Bade Baba to Padiyar Swamiji, which was well-preserved by Swamiji in an enclosed casket, that still remains in the glass casket

We then walked back at 6:30 p.m back to the ashram, where we had decided to do a "chuttuvilakku" arati. This is an occasion where all the lamps in and around the Samadhi Temple is lit with lamps. This was the first time in our visits that we had this done and the entire night looked just beautiful. As the arati began, the sound of bells, drums and the arati lamps along with all the lit lamps made the evening look splendid. To top it all, exactly at the time of arati, electricity went of for a few minutes that made everything look so naturally divine. Only the lamps glowed all around and the Bade Baba's huge panchaloha idol shimmered in the glory of the night lamps. We sang a few songs here and then then left for the arati at Swami Janananda's temple. A

The glory of night arati with lamps lit

The glory of night arati with lamps lit

The glory of night arati with lamps lit

A magnificent view when electricity temporarily went off fora a few minutes during arati

The glory of night arati with lamps lit

The glory of night arati with lamps lit

After our first this visit, is the first time we had come to Kanhangad on a Friday and that has it's own significance because there is a powerful "Sati" Temple in the ashram, the darshan of whom can only be got on Fridays, since the arati is only done on Fridays. Soon after the ashram aratis we moved towards the Maa Sati temple and look part in the arati. The energy here is high and this could be felt even when the temple used to be closed. The temple has a huge compound space around it none are allowed to enter into it, but is allowed to have darshan only from out while the arati is going on. Even inside the temple, there are three doors within which is the idol of Maa (picture on the left) After being in the vicinity and taking the prasad and kumkum, we left towards our rooms to do the Sri Vidya Sadhana. The level 2 groups sat in one room while level 1 group did sadhana in the other room. It was almost midnight and we had to sleep early as we had to get up early next morning at 4 a.m. for the abhishekham. 

Temple of Maa Sati

The next morning we all were up at the Samadhi temple at 5 a.m. and all had a divine time with the rose water and milk abhishekham of Bade Baba. This is the only time one gets to enter the shrine and actually touch Bade Baba's idol. If one is connected at this moment of abhishekam one could experience his divine grace in any form. We also did abhishekham for Swami Janananda Swami's idol in the temple below. Since there was enough time between breakfast and havan, some moved into the caves to meditate. Then, after breakfast, we sat at the temple below and spent a few moments talking and then moved up for the Mruthunjaya and Ganapathy Homam. The homams lasted for about 2 hours and after this as scheduled, we left for Guruvan, the forest in which were Bade Baba's tapas caves.

The Mruthunjaya & Ganapathy Homan in the Kerala tradition

The Mruthunjaya & Ganapathy Homan in the Kerala tradition

After reaching Guruvan, everyone spread out doing different things - some were taking bath in Papanashini Ganga, some entered and explored the caves, some meditated at the temple, while some listened to Swami Vidyanand, who is living here since he was 9 years of age (now he is 42). All details of these places have been mentioned in the posts related to our earlier visits. (Click to read)

On the hill above Guruvan Caves

On the hill above Guruvan Caves

On the hill above Guruvan Caves

At Swami Vidyanand's living place at Guruvan

The ashtasiddhi lingas now with a shed constructed over it.

On the hill above Guruvan Caves with Swami Vidyananda

The Nityananda Temple at Guruvan

The idol in Nityananda Temple at Guruvan

Swami Vidyananda The Nityananda Temple at Guruvan

Back in the temple after being in the caves

Everyone explored the caves and had their own experiences to carry back. My experience this time in the cave was just like the same observation i had made in the last post. The cave did look more accommodating this time like it had happened last time. This time were able to crawl in more further into the wet spaces filled with mud, water, spiders, frogs and bats (no bats were visible this time). Interestingly, last time we had reached a space from where we had clicked bats hanging down and that space was not so accomodating last time, but this time many were able to get into that space and sit for a while. This time was able to shoot the video of this end of the cave with Shruti's help and me and Shruti spent some quality time meditating in here, while all others had left with Swami Vidyanand to explore the hill above. i was keen to capture this in video and this time a close look at the caves showed that more outlets that were not visible last time was visible this time. The mud from the rock seemed to have been giving away. i cannot emphasize more on this mysterious cave. The experiences are just splendid here.  More than visiting this physical cave, it is my strongest feeling that one has to enter this cave in total silence, reverence, respect, and total total total awareness to experience. This is an astral world in itself, another dimension existing here. The respect and reverence to this holy cave should be to such an extent that even every step one keeps on any structure here must be with reverence as it is holy. Any form of life one encounters here must be treated and respected divinely. Every drop of water that drips on to oneself must be felt as the nectar of the divine. With total humility, respect and love for the divine masters if one enters in here, they are bound to be blessed. Deepest gratitude and salutation to all holy siddhas and Bade Baba for providing us these opportunities to move in the vicinity of this divine place. Pawnesh while in the cave shared that he heard the OM sound in the cave, which he told me he was able to record it. This was heard by none other. Such ways, there are many mystical things that many have seen and experienced, which many wish to keep within themselves every time. i must add that without their blessings this is not possible for no one that we know has had the opportunity of going into these caves to such ends and having had the opportunity to meditate in these caves, as everybody is dreaded with the fear of it's pitch dark existence and the known fact of snakes all around in this forest hill.

After everyone cleaned themselves up, and after the arati there, Swami Vidyanand was so kind to make everyone black tea, which he offered all with so much of love. Two of the sadhaks from Mumbai had to leave from here as they had scheduled their visit only for two days. After offering our gratitude to him, we left the place. This time we had to wait and walk for sometime until we got autos as we moved back in different groups back to the ashram. We had dinner and then under the huge pipal tree in front of the ashram caves, we all gathered and sung our hearts out for an hour or so. Thus our second day came to an end. 

Me and Arjun had planned to leave on the third day to Mookambika in Kollur near Udupi, and three others, Shyam bhai, Pratap, and RamSingh from Goa had planned to leave to Quilandy and Thallasery to meet two avadhuts with Ganapathyji. Swami Vijayananda of Bevinkoppa had been giving leads to this visit for a long time. Now just after this sankirtan everything just changed and now it was decided that me and Arjun would also join them to meet the Avdhutas and then we could proceed from there to Mookambika. Moreover, the entire Goa team also wished to join us though they had their train booking the next day. They decided that they would catch the train from Quilandy itself rather than wasting time traveling back to Kanhangad. Immediately Ganapathyji called up for a cab and one was fixed to leave next morning at 5 a.m. Initially, i was confused a bit with the sudden and quick change. i had always wanted to visit to these places down South Kerala but just with the least crowd but then wished to just go with the flow as His wish. We quickly went to our rooms and did Sri Vidya sadhana and were off to bed. Next morning, waking up at 4 a.m. all were ready by 5:30 a.m. by which time the cab arrived. The rest of the team had their scheduled trains the next day evening and they could not join as the trip down to South would be late. So, they were to stay back at the ashram and continue with their visit to Anand Ashram in Kanhangad, another divine place of grace. However, the team who stayed back  preferred going back to Guruvan again the next day before they continued on their respective journeys back home.


We all thank Bade Baba and all holy Siddhas for everything. Gratitude.

Next post will be posting about:

• The interesting encounters with two living Avadhoots without body consciousness.
• Visiting the ashram and place where Bade Baba was found as an infant in a jungle and was brought up as a child by Shri Ishwar Iyer.
• Jeeva Samadhi of a Siddha - Surya Narayan Swami
• A visit to Mookambika temple situated in Kollur, one of the seven pilgrimages which were created by Parashurama and the place where Adi Shankaracharya had the ecstatic vision of the Mother and the place where he first wrote and sung the "Soundarya Lahiri". Nityanand Baba was here for three years before he moved towards Ganeshpuri. There is an ashram of Bade Baba here.

To read all Kanhangad experiences click here.

Punyatithi of Bhagwan Nityananda

click for high resolution image

It is the 50th anniversary of Bhagwan Nityananda who left the body on August 8, 1961

The best way to offer your love to Bade Baba and connect with him is in the way he taught - SILENCE..

All those who have been touched by Bhagwan may like to spend some time in contemplation and connecting to him on this day.

Download the chant 

OM NAMO BHAGWATHE NITYANANDAYA

Baba Nityananda Tapovan

The Kalikadevi Temple in the distance (from a nearby hill)

Sirsangi now, was something that Vijayanand Swami had never told us. When we visited this place, the person who was taking us around had donated an acre of land to Anand Ashram just above this temple area on the descent of the hill next to the temple.  This was donated for the making of an ashram for Baba Nityananda, which Swamiji named this place as "Tapovan". Swamiji wanted this person to take us to visit this place and it was only now that he revealed that we were going there by walk. The entire area of unpolluted nature had beautiful vibrations and i knew somewhere that there could not be an ideal place like this! When we reached the open land, we both chose a place to sit and when i looked around, i was pleasantly surprised to see everything there. There was cactus, there was bilva patra trees and there were the real tulsi plant. The leaves when chewed relished a very pure and strong taste of the original tusli leaves. If these holy trees and plants grew here, what more indication would one need of the presence of the Divine himself? We sat here for a long time while Shri. Annigeri, Mallikarjun and their worker went to different locations doing certain inspections. Frankly speaking, after sitting here, i was not feeling to get and leave from here. The sky was bright, yet the breeze was cool and everything looked green around and in the near distance could be seen the powerful temple of Kalikadevi. A divine place! Very fortunate to be here and i was only exclaiming again and again to him that this is a wonderful place. He said, Swamiji wanted to know this through us and thus he was waiting for our inputs. He looked very happy to have given this land for this noble and divine work. He also revealed that Swamiji had lived around in this place doing sadhana for two years. Then coming back to the cab, we left back to him home, where his family loving served us a rich satvik Karnataka meal. As we sat resting for a while, three cute little calves tied in a distance took our attention often. Finally, thanking him for everything we took leave of the entire family.

Site for Baba Nityanand Tapovan for seekers

On the way, as we passed through high stony hills, Mallikarjun pointed out to me the Bhaskaracharya Hill. This was the hill on which Bhaskaracharya, who was a Surya Tapasvi, did his sadhana. He was born in a village in Bijapur (around 160 kms from here). It is said that it was here that with his tapobal, Bhaskaracharyaji he had made the Sun stop for 9 hours. He was the first to discover gravity 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton (read more about him). Note: These are all verbal information and need more research

Now we were heading towards Sogal, around, 40 kms from here, travelling through the stony hills and green land. All the while i was noticing only one thing when i looked out, the Malaprabha reservoir. This water, also known as Renukasagar reservoir i was seeing from Anand Ashram itself which is very close to the Ashram and the place where Maharishi Sumedha did tapas and took samadhi. All these areas that we traveled, the reservoir was visible, which showed that all these holy lands were situated on it's banks.

Click for larger image

Lord Dattatreya had walked these divine places of North Karnataka before he was last seen at Ganagapura, North Karnataka, which is only 275 kms from here. Ganagapura. Even Baba Nityanand is well taken as the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya and these areas so much signify the presence of all incarnations mentioned in the song "Jai Jai Aarti Nityananda...." It contains the lines:

Prathama Datta Rupa Gheshi (First you took the form of Lord Dattatreya) 

Dwitiya Shripada Hoshi (secondly you incarnated as Shripad Vallabh)

Tritiya Narahari Hoshi (thirdly you incarnated as Narasimha Saraswati)

Ganagapuri Lilaa Daavishi (You did leelas  in Ganagapuri)

Even Swami Samarth was in Akkalkot, which is 75 km further up which is and Maanik Prabhu was 100 km further north in Bidar, North Karnataka. Further the aarti also narrates of:

Maanik Prabhu Tu Hoshi (You are Manik Prabhu)

Akkalkot Swami Hoshi (You are Akkalkot Swami)

Shiradi Sai Nath Hoshi (You are Shiradi's Sai Baba)

Kali Yugi Nityananda Banashi (In Kali yuga you became Nityananda)

On the way to Sogal, we were in for a little more surprise as Mallikarjun asked the car to be deviated to a small road to the left and halted at what looked like a small house. As we got out, he said that this was a Nityanand Ashram, known as Mullur Ashram and this was where Swami Vijayanand lived for more than two years doing his sadhana around here and in the rocky caves of Sogal. This house had just one big room and looked like a normal house, but the moment we entered we could sense the divinity of this place. 

A look at the large photo of Baba Nityananda only brought so much of peace and love; his presence was so strong all around in these areas and especially in this little hall. Along with padukas on the altar, there were pictures of many saints and siddhas who lived around. It also had a statue of Sogal ajja, who lived and did sadhana in caves in Sogal where he had taken samadhi. This is where we were heading to, and had now stopped to visit this little divine place. After meditating for sometime here, we got back into the cab to head further. i called up Mohan Swami's ashram to see if he was there and fortunately he was there. Then we went to Sogal Hill and met him and returned back to the ashram.

To read Kanhangad experiences click here.

Gurupoornima At Anand Ashram

This post contains a vivid journey of the exploration of North Karnataka - a welcoming land of Holy Siddhas. Our gratitude to all Siddha gurus and Bade Baba for their blessings and guidance to such divine places and people. .

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This time, just a few weeks before Guru Poornima, Swami Vijayananda from Anand Ashram, Bevinkoppa, called me up and invited me and a fellow seeker to come over to the ashram if free to attend a function and  for sadhana. We then decided to spend time here for this year's Gurupoornima and thus informed Swamiji  of our coming.

On reaching the place late evening on June 14, 2011, we were glad to meet the little boys who came running as we reaching the ashram, to pick up our bags and escort us to our room.

After freshening up we both met Swamiji, prostrated and took his blessings. He happily told us that next day of Guru Poornima there were some events and we could participate in it. The main function was to release a Kannada book on Baba Nityananda "Nityanandapradam" by Shri Harikrishna Rao. 

"Nityanandapradam" by Shri Harikrishna Rao

Along with this function, he had organized this time Bal Bhojan for the poor children and people of the village. 

Also, the ashram was to distribute free raincoats and school bags to the poor school children followed by bhajans of Bade Baba. We both then soon had the night meal there and spent some time visiting the areas in the ashram. Swamiji invited us the next morning to meditate with him from 6 am to 8 am which we very gladly accepted. The next morning we woke up at 5 am and freshening ourselves up, we went to Swamiji's meditating room where there were a few more devotees of Bade Baba, and meditated with Swamiji. Then, having breakfast, we moved to the Nityananda Dhyan Mandir where there was the morning puja, after which a whole team of musicians and singers sang very beautiful songs of Bade Baba in Kannada, Marathi and Hindi. The aura is the temple was just great with the melodious voices of the devotees accompanied by the tabla and harmonium. During the short break between the program, we meditated in the underground cave that was constructed by Swamji close to a samadhi of a Siddha. Then, on coming back we saw the function had not yet begun and thus we sat meditating in the "Kutir" the hut in the ashram where he earlier did sadhana and he said we could do sadhana anywhere we wished in the ashram. This place is a very nice place to do sadhana and the last time i came here i had wished to be here in the Kutir and this time we could spend good time here.

At noon the function began in the open space besides the temple and the function went well with 8 guests and felicitations of them all. Swamiji's speech, as usual, was full of important messages filled with humour. The book was released. 

It was a different experience having food sitting outside on a stone near the Kutir along with the villagers who had spread themselves out on the open land of the ashram. Then, taking some rest in our room, we spent some more time in the evening in the Kutir.

After this we were fortunate to find Swamiji giving us some time who sat with us on a chair outside in the night under the light of the lamp that lit the entrance of the dining hall. I knew he was tired but his smile and enthusiasm to spend time with us was still intact. 

In a brief conversation, he said few important things about the anahad naad. He also mentioned how to differentiate between the logic and inner voice. He mentioned that while decision making or seeking answers one must not delay on the answers that come. The first thing that comes to mind, must be grabbed. He compared it to selectively buying something in a shop. If an instant decision is not taken in choosing between two things, the mind gets confused. The more the delay the more the confusion. Hence, he said, the selection must be spontaneous and instant, and thus not to postpone decisions. He added that whatever you chose, if done with surrender, the Guru always guides and protects through that decision or choice. We then had dinner with Swamiji. After dinner, we rested for a while and at 11 p.m. did Sri Vidya sadhana in the Kutir till late after midnight.

The underground cave

Next morning we woke up at 4:30 a.m. and after freshening up, meditated in the caves. When we came out the day was out and we saw Swamiji sitting in his room. Taking his blessings, we went back to our room and for breakfast we were glad to have Swamiji with us again. This time he spoke on many incidents from scriptures - about Ram, Sita, Ravan, Ganesh, Krisha - what they signify and how all these are the qualities within us and how instead of catching these meanings, people have forgotten it all and are only behind glorifying them as Gods. He spoke for a long time and then we took leave of him stating that we wanted to visit the Mallikarjun temple that was established by Maharishi Sumedha by the banks of the Malaprabha river. This place is a 10-minute walk from the ashram. He happily asked us to go there. We both walked to the place and sat down at the very  ancient Shivalinga temple. Great energies and experiences here. Just outside this old temple is a huge neem tree with concrete around it to sit, which is considered to be the samadhi place of Maharishi Sumedha. We then walked back to the ashram.

When we reached back, we were happy to hear that Swamiji had arranged to take us to two samadhi sites of two siddhas in close by vicinity. Along with some more devotees from Mumbai and places around, we left in two cars where Swamiji eagerly wanted us to visit.

Photos of Siddha Shridharananda, Swami Shivanand Paramahamsa and Siddha Maatananda Swami

Siddha Parampujya Shridharananda Swamiji

First, Swamiji took us to the Samadhi Mandir of Siddha Parampujya Shridharananda Swamiji. There is an underground cave where the Siddha did his tapas and above his cave is the Samadhi Mandir. Just opposite to this temple is a Dhyana Mandir that is built as the replica of Dhyana Mandirs of Swami Shivanand Paramahamsa of Kerala. This dhyana mandir had photos of three siddhas - Siddha Shridharananda, Swami Shivanand Paramahamsa and Siddha Maatananda Swami (guru of Mohan Swami). Now, i could see some good connections :) Swami Shivanand Paramahamsa is spotted in the famous photograph where Baba Nityananda is seated on his lap. Siddha Maatananda's Jeeva Samadhi is in Sogal (30 kms from this place) where Swami Mohan lives in his ashram (read my previous visits to him)

Where Siddha Shridharananda left his body

The energies were very evident in this place. The Dhyana Mandir is powerful for meditation and so is the house where the Siddha lived. The Samadhi Mandir was very vibrant and we preferred to sit here, which is located above the underground caves that he had done his tapas in. Swamiji allowed us both to sit there and they went to the home of the Siddha, asking us to come there directly after we finished. The home, the samadhi and the dhyana temple are all in one compound. After sitting there for sometime, we then joined Swamiji and others who was sitting in the home of the Siddha. Puffed rice and tea was offered to us all and Swamiji was again stuck in a welcoming formality. I could see Swamiji trying to explain to them that we had to leave and all this was not required, but in vain. Swamiji was made to sit in the Samadhi temple and honored with flowers. As Swamiji stepped down I was giggling looking deliberately at him and Swamiji laughed and said that these things had to be adhered to even unwillingly (for the sentiments of the people). Laughing, we got into the vehicles and left for the next place.

Just a few minutes and we reached another divine place - the samadhi place of Shri Jagadguru Madiwaleshwar. As we moved around this huge place, we looked at paintings hung on the walls depicting the miracles he did. Everything was in Kannada, so it took me some time to read, but then Swamiji quickly narrated some of the Siddha's feats. The story of the Siddha who when an emergency struck when ghee got over during the making of puris in  a celebration and the disciples ran to the guru, who asked them to fetch water from the river. No sooner they brought the water and poured into the pan, what poured out was ghee. Next day, the guru asked the disciples if they had bought ghee from the market and given it back to the river, and when the disciples looked surprised, he asked them to do so that nothing comes for free. Returning home, i tried in vain to search about the Siddhas from these areas and unfortunately not a single information about them exists.

It was quite obvious by now how precious this geographical belt was. Swamiji also told me that this is a very divine belt extending from Kanhangad to these areas in North Karnataka. Swamiji humorously told us stories about how Siddhas or people on this path are troubled and sometimes literally harassed. He told us his own stories but every time he narrated one there sure was something humorous in it and i couldn't help tossing in there with uncontrollable laughter. He too laughed like a child with us.

We reached the ashram by 3:30 p.m. and had food. Since we had to leave back home the same evening, we took some rest. Swamiji said he would drop us till Bailhongal and he did so at 6 p.m. From there we took a bus back home.

Quite evidently, things were opening up. i never ever imagined that these places here are such divine places, connected with so much of mythology and a Siddha bhoomi. i am sure, i wanted to come back here to explore for more and also write more (as and when i am directed to with His wish). All i knew was that not just these two, there were hundreds of Samadhis in this area,  known and unknown, even if known i could see clearly that people could not relate to what they have amongst their daily lives.

After two days, we both came back and explore one full day more places under the guidance of Swamiji and those were real mines, which i will be putting up in the next post. 

Our heartfelt gratitude to Swami Vijayanandji, Bade Baba, and all holy Siddhas.

~ Namo Siddhanam ~