Haridwar Ashram
Haridwar is an ancient city and an important Hindu pilgrimage in northern India situated on the right bank of the Ganga river. The Haridwar Ashram was founded on 26th January, 1991 at the foothills of Shivalik range. Located on the outskirts of the bustling city on the Haridwar-Rishikesh By-pass road, this Ashram has the most scenic and serene ambiance among all three Ashrams. One can feel the calm and peace immediately after entering the gates of this Ashram– as if transported to some other realm.
This Ashram is also the Samadhi Mandir of Swami ji as this is where He took Maha Samadhi (left His body and merged in the Infinite). The primary attraction of the Ashram is the grand Meditation hall which also houses the Samadhi Mandir. On a high pedestal which also encapsulates Swami ji’s Aatmaram (a relic of his last remains), His larger than life Murti (statue) has been installed which is beautifully crafted from pure white Italian marble. A lot of devotees regularly visit this place to pay homage to their homage to their beloved Master and meditate in the sacred hall.
One can feel the divine presence of Swami ji here and the peace experienced is indescribable. Apparently, this has also been the purpose of constructing this meditation hall by Swami ji as He Himself said that this would be a place where people will be able to go so deep in meditation with little effort that they will simply forget the body and its needs and enjoy the divine bliss and peace.
There is also a beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Durga in front of the meditation hall housing a marble idol of the Divine Mother of exquisite beauty. To the left side of Mother, Sri Ram Darbar is installed with idols of Lord Shri Ram, His brother Lakshman Ji, His divine consort Mata Sita and His great devotee Lord Hanuman. The right side is adorned by beautiful idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. At the entrance of the temple, idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman are installed as if to guard the entry inside the temple.
Opposite the Divine Mother temple is a small yet serene Shivalaya (temple dedicated to Lord Shiva) where Lord Shiva in His Lingam Swaroop (a form representing the Infinite and impersonal aspect of the Lord Shiva) is present with His entire family.
Near to the Shivalaya, there is a big Yagya-shala (sacrificial altar) where Havana is performed daily in the morning. During the Sharad Navaratri, a grand Yagya known as Shat Chandi Maha Yagya is performed here for 9 days which culminates on the ninth day with Purnahuti and Bhandara (mass feeding to Sadhus and devotees) as this day also coincides with Swami ji’s Punya Tithi.
There have been many new rooms constructed in the Ashram complex to provide accommodation to the visiting Sangat (devotees). As per the wish of Swami ji, the festival of Gopashtami, which is also the Birthday of Swami ji according to the Hindu calendar, is celebrated here with pomp and splendor. Thousands of devotees gather here on this occasion to celebrate their beloved Babaji’s birthday.
This place is a heaven to those seeking inner peace and solace.