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History of Babaji’s Kriya Yoga in Sri Lanka: a pilgrim’s guideBy M. G. SatchidanandaMuruga at this powerful shrine and to enjoy the pristinenatural environment. Babaji Nagaraj came here insearch of his Guru, and found the Siddhar Boganathar.Under his guidance, for four years he learned dhyanaand jnana and attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi, with theblessings of Muruga. He also realized that he is anavatar of Muruga.A small shrine has been erected on the very spotwhere Babaji sat, under a banyan tree, with the SiddharBoganathar to attain enlightenment. It is located justinside the gate to the Theivani Amman Kovil. Pujas areconducted there daily by the priests. Devotees areencouraged to meditate and practice Yoga in front ofthe small shrine, which contains granite murthis ofBabaji and Siddhar Boganathar and a Muruga vel.Devotees are welcome to visit the Babaji Ashram,which is a 10 minutes walk away from the temple,behind the CTB Government Transport Depot, and thenew bridge. It is located adjacent to the east side of theManickaganga River, in the forest. It is an ideal placefor meditation. Contact in advance: E-mail:srilanka@babajiskriyayoga.netVisitors may enjoy staying at the nearby SunflowerHotel. www.hotelsunflowerlk.net, Tel. 94.47.22.35.611Katirgama temple entranceBabaji’s Kriya Yoga is a synthesis of YogaSiddhantham, the teaching of the Yoga Siddhas. Thissynthesis was created by Babaji Nagaraj, beginningwith what he learned from his first Siddha guru,Boganathar, at Katirgama, Sri Lanka, about 215 A.D.and subsequently from Agastyar at Courtrallam, inTamil Nadu. It is a synthesis of both Classical Yoga, asrecorded in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Tantra, asrecorded in the Tirumandiram written by the TamilSiddhar Tirumular. Those who wish to cultivate thedevotion for Babaji or to meditate in the sacred environmentin which Babaji’s Kriya Yoga was born will beinspired to go on a pilgrimage to Katirgama. To do so,what do you need to know?Sri Lanka is a large island off the south east coast ofIndia, with a warm tropical climate. Its name derivesfrom the Sanskrit sri (venerable) and lanka (island), thename of the island in the ancient Indian epicsMahabharata and the Ramayana. It covers 65,000square kilometers (25,000 square miles) and has a populationof 20.6 million. Sri Lanka is next only toMaldives in the South Asian region in terms of percapita income It recorded a GDP growth of 8.2% in2010 and it is estimated that GDP will grow by 9.5% in2011 becoming one of the fastest growing economies ofthe world. It’s population includes about 14.5 millionethnic Sinhala, who are mostly Buddhist, 2.5 millionethnic Tamils, and 1.5 million Moors, who are Muslims.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka - cite_noteimfsl-4Katirgama Ashram and Babaji Koil templeThe holiest shrine to both Hindus and Buddhists inSri Lanka is the Muruga temple complex at Katirgama,40 km north of the southernmost town in Sri Lanka,Hambatota, deep in the forest, next to theManickaganga River. Every year thousands of pilgrimscome to Katirgama to seek the blessings of LordPage 4How to get there?One may travel to Katirgama by public bus or trainor rental car from Colombo along the scenic coastalhighway, stopping at the beach resort towns of Matara,Galle and Hambatota, and then transfer to a bus going40 km north and inland to Katirgama. This will requireBabaji temple at Katirgamaabout 8 hours. Or if one is short on time and money,take the “Lakehouse Newspaper” bus which leaves at 10pm, from Lake House, in downtown Colombo. Itarrives in the early morning hours at Katirgama via anroute through the interior mountains of Sri Lanka.Continued on Page 4Babaji’s Kriya Yoga Journal
Kriya Yoga in Sri Lanka continuedEarly booking can be done at the Lake House to avoiddisappointmentignorance with the light of consciousness. As the holiestshrine in Sri Lanka, people from all walks of faithcome here regularly praying to Lord Muruga for assistancefor all purposes. During the middle of July eachyear, there are elaborate ceremonies over a two period,with fire walking and other ascetic practices by devotees.. It is the only time during the year when thesacred yantra is taken out of the temple – and on theback of an elephant brought down to the ManickagangaRiver for ritual washing.Yogi S.A.A. Ramaiah and the revelationsof Babaji about KatirgamaFrom 1956 to 1968, my teacher, Yogi.S.A.A. Ramaiahmade many visits to Sri Lanka to teach Babaji’s KriyaYoga. He and his wife Solachi used to stay at theBamballapittya Hindu temple in southern Colombo, onGalle Road, where he would give lectures on YogaSiddhantham and yoga asana classes, and initiationseminars in Babaji’s Kriya Yoga. He also visited Jaffna,in the extreme north, where he stayed at the home of adisciple, at 51 Arasady Road. In 1958, he also organizedthe fifth annual Parliament of World Religions andYoga, with leading representatives from the variousMonument for Babaji and Boganathar atKatirgamaThe Katirgama temple complex includes three smalltemples, side by side, where Ganesha, Muruga andThevani are worshipped. The entrance gate is framedby a row of carved elephant heads on either side. Tothe right of the Thevani temple is a small Hindu mona -stery, founded by the ascetic Palkudi Baba in the mid19th century. The Babaji Koil or temple, is just behindthe above mentioned wall by another gate leading tothe Thevani temple and monastery. Behind these threetemples lies a huge white Buddhist stupa, over 80 feethigh. A mosque is 100 yards away to the right of thepark in front of the gate. On the left flows theManickaganga River. The entire area is actually aforested park, with ancient trees, devoid of other structures,with no commercial clutter. A powerful spiritualatmosphere pervades the entire area. It is the one placewhere everyone in Sri Lanka comes together in religiousharmony.Buddhist and Hindu priests share responsibility forthe conduct of services in the main temple, which isdedicated to Muruga. Unlike other temples, there is noidol, no image any kind. In fact, the offerings made bydevotees are offered by the priests behind a curtain, toa sacred yantra, which is concealed from the public.This geometric image, carved into stone, is said to concentratethe power of Lord Muruga, the legendary onof Shiva, whose mission is to destroy the darkness ofStudents bathingfaith communities as honored speakers, includingSwami Satchidananda, disciple of the renowned SwamiSivananda. This occurred during a period when communalviolence had broken out between the Tamil andSinhala communities. The government had recentlypassed a law making Sinhala the only official language,and limiting the access to university and civil posts toethnic Tamils. The Parliament attracted hundreds ofContinued on Page 5Babaji’s Kriya Yoga Journal Page 5
Page 6 and 7: Kriya Yoga in Sri Lanka continuedpe
Page 8 and 9: ProfileAcharya DayanandaI was invit
Page 10 and 11: Monistic theism continuedFinal conc
Page 12 and 13: News and NotesBadrinath Ashram cons

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