Sri Santosh Puri Maharaj
Co-Founder of Santosh Puri Ashram
The late Baba Santosh Puri is the co-founder of Santosh Puri Ashram, and his presence continues to guide and inspire many.
Babaji, Guruji, was a renunciate made by destiny — a Prakriti Laya Yogi (प्रकृतिलय योगी).
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.
Śri Santosh Puri Maharaj
unknown - 1978
Lived on an Island under a tree in Har ki Pauri, the main bathing ghat in Haridwar.
Sthanapati Bhairav Puri Maharaj, guru of Santosh Puri Maharaj
Baba Santosh Puri married his disciple, Narvada Puri Mata Ji, a lady of German origin.
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.
Every year on Magh Purnima, in honor of Santosh Puri Babaji and Narvada Puri Mataji, our devotees come together to help us host a Varshik Bhandara.
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.
