Shree Muktananda Ashram
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Shree Muktananda Ashram, in the Catskills area, upstate New York, is an international retreat center owned and operated by the SYDA Foundation. Its purpose is to provide a location where students of Siddha Yoga can study the philosopy and culture of Siddha Yoga and follow its daily practices (known as sadhana).[1] The ashram is located in the hamlet of Fallsburg, approximately 130 kilometres north-west of New York City. [2]
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[edit] History
In 1978, the Indian guru Swami Muktananda began a tour of North America. The Shree Muktananda Ashram was one of the main results of this tour.[3] The SYDA (Siddha Yoga Dharm Associates) Foundation -- the administrative organization for Siddha Yoga -- bought the Gilbert Hotel, situated on Brickman Road, Fallsburg. Extensive renovations began and the site became the location of the offices that were to administer Siddha Yoga activities all over the world.[4] The site would eventually include two other hotel complexes and cover over 100 acres.[5] In the summer of 1979, Siddha Yoga devotees gathered for the first retreat in Fallsburg. At this stage, the centre was known as the Shree Nityananda Ashram, in honour of Swami Muktananda's guru, Bhagawan Nityananda. A former ballroom became a meditation room and a temple honouring Nityananda was built.[6]
In 1983, another hotel in the area, the Windsor, was acquired and converted to dormitory accommodation and offices. This centre became known as Sadhana Kutir.[7] In 1985, construction began on a large open-air pavilion known as Shakti Mandapa, which was located behind the original hotel building, now known as Anugraha (divine grace). In the following year, the SYDA Foundation bought the Brickman Hotel, also on Brickman Road, which became known as Atma Nidhi (treasure of the soul).[8]
After Swami Muktananda's death in 1982, his successor Swami Chidvilasananda changed the name of the ashram to the Shree Muktanada Ashram.[9]
[edit] Gallery
 Lake Nityananda at night, Shree Muktananda Ashram |
 Pine forest near Atma Nidhi |
 Lake Nityananda, late afternoon |
 Shiva Statue at night, Atma Nidhi |
[edit] References
- ^ Shree Muktananda Ashram. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
- ^ Macmillan Family Encyclopedia, 1980, Vol.14, p.149
- ^ Meditation Revolution, Brooks (Agama Press) 1997, p.110
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p.562
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p. 111
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p.562
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p.562
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p.562
- ^ Meditation Revolution, p.564
