YogAnga Retreat at Sri Santosh Puri Ashram is a center for spiritual research and studies of the yogic art of living, following in the lineage of Baba Santosh Puri Ji Maharaj & Narvada Puri Mata Ji (sanyasin in the Juna Akhara order). Founded by Baba Santosh Puri in 1978, initially it was called Dattatreya Gaushala, established merely as a place for people to come together in the service of cows and dogs. The original vision of the ashram continues today with the three grown up children of Baba Ji and Mata ji: Ganga, Mandakini and Alaknanda, and third generation newest member of the family, Rudraksh.
With their diverse experiences and expertise bringing to the ashram atmosphere and the YogAnga Retreat curriculum with the deeply rooted authenticity in the tradition of true Himalayan Yogis. If you would like to come for a long term course, experiencing the depth which ashram life offers or for a short visit to adopt the holistic approach of the yogic and spiritualized lifestyle, they selflessly provide guests guidance as learned from their parents as masters. Along with other respected guest teachers at the ashram, the three siblings devote their energy to pass on the teachings of the traditional Indian gurus and yogis offering various courses all year round.
Course schedule is based on moon calendar and may change due to unexpected conditions, however the contentment will always remain as the spirit of the master's divine flame.
We appreciate your arrival between 10am - 9pm, a day before the course begins. All courses begin and end with a fire ceremony. There are led yoga classes everyday, self practice on all Sundays, full moon and new moon.
Om Tat Sat
Jai Guru Datta
Our aim is to create a suitable environment (ashram), away from the distracting world of desires and competitions, towards retreat, life in simplicity and truthfulness. "Simple living high thinking."
Rediscovering the forgotten ways of the art of living in yoga, Ayurveda and the holy Vedic scriptures. The lost paradise is regainable through meditation and a living according to the laws of "dharma" righteous action.
Not only classes or courses, but the chance to live through out the day in spiritual learning, practicing and transforming consciousness with equal minded aspirant.
Origin
The Santosh Puri Ashram was founded by Baba Santosh Puri and Narvada Puri Mata Ji in 1978. The ashram restored the first charitable pilgrim heritage - now forsaken - on the footpath from Haridwar to Badrinath, the abode of the Gods at a height of 4000 meters.
Starting from a raw piece of land, Baba Santosh Puri gradually built up an ashram that contains various buildings for housing people, dogs and cows.
Roughly 10 people live here more or less permanently and all contribute to the farming and the running of the ashram. The farm has about 10 cows and some land for growing vegetables, pulses, grass for cows, etc..
After Baba Santosh Puri left his body, the ashram continues to develop by their (now adult) children.
Location
The Santosh Puri Ashram is situated in the forested borders of the holy Ganga river at the feet of the Himalayas, 7km from Haridwar, 18 Km from Rishikesh, 210 Km north of New Delhi. It is directly adjoining the Raja National Park and surrounded by ashrams and a big mango garden.
Haridwar is the 'ashram belt' of India and Santosh Puri is one of several ashrams that are clustered along this stretch of the Ganges. From within the cool green shade of the ashram grounds it is possible to hear chanting and singing from surrounding ashrams. It's also possible to hear nothing but the whispering of the river-breezes in the trees. A rare and beautiful thing in a country packed with humanity and the normal noise pollution that goes with it. Santosh Puri's 'backyard' is a sprawling national forest, and the grounds themselves are a sweet blend of rambling woods, a dorm block so well-clipped as to seem almost like a quaint British retirement home, gardens that supply the bounty produced by the kitchen, and unassuming gathering spaces that nonetheless radiate an almost-harmonic power. Guest numbers are limited to 20 or so as this is a smaller family compound, adding to the feeling of intimacy.
The jungle by the Ganga River in front allows long lovely walks and quiet sittings. Ganga is nearby enough for a daily bath in its holy waters.
a nature aligned lifestyle for the body, mind & spirit
Lineage
Spiritual Head and ashram namesake, Yogi Avadhut Baba Santosh Puri was a renunciate since childhood, living in severe austerity on an island in the middle of the Ganga near Harki Pauri in Haridwar. After his Maha Samadhi (leaving the body in padmasana) in 2001, his inspiring decades of service to disciples, cows and the mother Ganga, along with his unselfish spirit is the guide which illuminates all activities at the ashram today.
Yogini Avadhutani Narvada Puri "Mata Ji" met Baba Ji when she was 24 years old on her first journey to India from Germany in 1969. Immediately becoming a disciple, she never left his side and endured nearly 10 years living by the dhuni (sacred fire place) under a tree, learning hard purifying lessons through service to her Guru. After Baba Ji's samadhi, Mata Ji made the natural shift from disciple to master and out of pure compassion she felt it her duty to share with the world her experiential knowledge of how to root out the main obstacles along the spiritual path. Mata Ji took her Maha Samadhi in early 2014 and her grace continues to bless all aspirants.