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YogAnga Retreat at Sri Santosh Puri Ashram: Explore a yogic lifestyle, where yogis were born and raised… on the bank of the sacred Ganga River in the foothills of the Himalayas (between Haridwar and Rishikesh).
In his early childhood the divine will took away through death his father, mother, seven brothers, one sister, as well as land and cows in the holy area of Lord Ram’s birthplace, Ayodhya. As fortold by an Astrologer he started his fakir life as a child, initiated by a Sita Ram Guru. He took Sanyasa in his youth and finally was initiated at the Kumbha Mela 1974 as a Naga Baba (Avaduta) of the Sri Panch Juna Akhara by his Guru Sthanapati Bhairav Puri Ji Maharaj.
After severe tapas (asceticism) on an island in the Ganga in Haridwar, renouncing food and sleep, ever in service to cows and all sentient beings, the holy Ganga Goddess appeared in front of him, offering him all possible wealth, which he refused, asking for her presence only and a wealth that nobody could take away, to continue his service to the Dharma.
Guruji’s name was “Santosh”, which means “self-sufficiency”, “contentment” as a means to liberation, and that was what he really taught through his own behavior, showing full faith in the divine will by being content with whatever might happen.
Marrying is unusual but not impossible for a Sadhu. As a renunciate Baba Santosh Puri was always fighting against the Maya (world, illusion), in which form his female disciple as well appeared. But their spiritual relationship was too strong, he could not make her abandon him and his teachings and therefore after eight years a marriage took place, not for enjoyment, but out of the unshakable confidence into the divine will or the will of the holy Ganga Maata.
Approaching the birth of the first son, the Santosh Puri Ashram was founded, where spiritual and charitable service life continued.
Into the auspicious time in the great Kumbh Mela in Allahabad 2001 Baba Santosh Puri left his body in Mahasamadhi (as his Guruji did 12 years ago at 108 years old). Samadhi is called the conscious state of mind, when the Saint in a meditation position leaves his body and the realized immortal soul reunites with the supreme soul.
In the full moon night of January/February 2001 Guruji left his body in padmasana, pronouncing the holy sound AUM. In the sitting position, he was bathed and clothed by saints of Juna Akhara (his root monastery) according to the ancient Vedic rituals. His body was carried in a procession to the bank of the river Ganga, and returned to the Ashram to be placed in the ground, a cave like burial also called a samadhi.
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, on the full moon in the month of Magh, we host this Annual Community Feast to commemorate the maha samadhi of both Santosh Puri and Naravada Puri. On this day we serve hundreds of sanyasis, Indian householders and foreign guests a delicious lunch.
Ganga Puri graduated with a degree in Physics & Mathematics from the Garhwal University in Srinagar. After the mahasamadhi of his father in 2001, a fundamental change of realization overcame the student of science causing Ganga to change his life path onto the complete devotion to the Divine Truth. Meditation and yoga practices became his main activities. Eventually Ganga Puri received his post-graduate diploma and Master’s Degree in Human Consciousness and Yogic Science, from the Gurukul Kangri University of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, in Haridwar.
Mandakini Puri Rox is rooted in a traditional yogic family, following the sanyasi lineage of her parents / gurus: Santosh Puri Maharaj and Narvada Puri Mataji. She is blessed to have been born and continues to reside on the bank of Ma Ganga in the Ashram of her father’s namesake. Her sincere yogic practices led her to become a Yoga Acharya, with a Masters Degrees in Yogic Science & Human Excellence at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Since 2004 she has been managing and teaching courses with YogAnga Retreat at Santosh Puri Ashram.
Dr. Alaknanda Puri (aka Gangotri), is our resident Ayurvedic Doctor and Teacher at YogAnga Retreat, Sri Santosh Puri Ashram. Aside from initially studying informally with several swamis and Ayurvedic practitioners, Alaknanda has a Bachelors in Ayurveda Medical Science from Ayurveda College Coimbotore, a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and Diploma in Yogic Science from Shrinagar University, as well as a certificate in traditional Ayurveda Vaidyavisharad, and a Diploma in Holistic Health Management from Dev Sanskriti University.