Santosh Puri Ashram
History, Lineage and Vision
Our Ashram Co-Founders, Gurus and Parents
Santosh Puri Ashram was founded in 1978 by Baba Santosh Puri and Mataji Narvada Puri.
Śri Santosh Puri Ashram's lineage traces back through millennia to the Sannyasa traditions of Sada Shiva, Narayana, and Sri Dattatreya, with its present formation based on Sri Adi Shankaracharya's Dashanami Sannyasa Holy Order (established in the 8th century CE). Babaji and Mataji were initiated Sanyasis within the Juna Akhara, the largest and oldest organization of naga sadhus within the order.
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Śri Santosh Puri Maharaj
Ashram Namesake, Guru and Co-Founder
The late Baba Santosh Puri was the namesake and co-founder of the Santosh Puri Ashram, whose essence still lives as an example to many.
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.
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Narvada Puri Mataji
Mother, Mataji, Disciple cum Guru, Ashram Co-Founder
As a 24 years old young woman from Germany, in 1969 Mataji arrived on the island where Baba Santosh Puri was doing his tapasya (austerities) and literary stayed forever.
Her Guru, Santosh Puri gave her the name “Narvada”, two saffron colored pieces of clothe to cover the body and the holy name of Lord Shiva as a mantra to repeat and to meditate upon for the rest of her life. For Narvada Puri it was the beginning of a very challenging journey of purification.
Originally Śri Santosh Puri Ashram was called Dattatreya Gaushala, established merely as a place for people to come together in the service cows and dogs.
The ashram restored the first charitable pilgrim heritage – now forsaken – on the footpath from Haridwar to Badrinath.
Starting from a few crumbled buildings and a snake infested well, Baba Santosh Puri gradually built up an ashram that contains various buildings for housing people, dogs and cows, classrooms and meditation halls, and more.
Continuing the Legacy of Śri Santosh Puri Ashram: YoGanga Retreat
Today, Śri Santosh Puri Ashram operates as YoGanga Retreat, offering residential courses, trainings, and programs while maintaining the spiritual essence and yogic lifestyle established by Babaji and Mataji.
Mataji and Babaji eventually married and had three children. A son Ganga Puri, eldest daughter Mandakini Puri and youngest daughter Alaknanda Puri.
Together with their diverse experiences and expertise the three siblings bring to the ashram atmosphere and YogAnga Retreat curriculum an authenticity deeply rooted in the tradition of true Himalayan Yogis.
YogAnga is made up of two words: yog and anga, meaning yoga limbs. It can also be broken down as: Yoga and Ganga. The ancient Indian tradition along the holy river Ganges, unifying the yogi with the river of purity and it’s understanding. This was the direct experience of our beloved masters Babaji and Mataji, in the 1960′s. The unification of the East and the West.
Whether you want to live your life in an ashram setting or just take with you some tips towards making adjustments back at home, they selflessly provide guests guidance in a well rounded, holistic approach towards adopting the ayurvedic, yogic and spiritual lifestyle they learned from their parents as living examples.
The living tradition of the ashram continues through its practices, gatherings, and moments of collective devotion.
Guru Purnima: A Celebration of the Guru
Each year, you are welcome to gather with us during this sacred full moon dedicated to the guru, the source of guidance, knowledge, and inner awakening.
This special time offers an opportunity to connect with the lineage of the ashram, share in satsang, and honour the teachings that have been passed down through generations.
Join fellow aspirants and devotees for chanting, reflection, and the recitation of the Guru Gita.
