Lahiri Mahasaya: Tracing The Journey Of The Great Saint In Varanasi

The city of Varanasi is not only one of the oldest and most sacred cities in India, but also it encompasses wisdom that can go on for eternity. Great saints like  Adi Shankaracharya, Mahavatar Babaji, and Gautama Buddha, Tailang Swami, Kabir Ji all lived in this holy city.

Varanasi – Lahiri Mahasaya House

You will find their shrines and ashrams located in serene locales in Varanasi. Another great saint who once lives in Varanasi was Lahiri Mahasaya. Lahiriji used to live here with his family and even went to work as an engineer in Varanasi itself.

His radiating aura can be still found in the narrow lanes of this city. His house is located in one of those iconic little lanes in Varanasi, and you can pay a visit to learn more about this great Saint. The house is now run by his great-grandson and is filled with stories, photos, anecdotes, and sculptures of Lahiri Mahasaya.

Varanasi became the city where he spent his entire life.

Who Was Lahiri Mahasaya?

Lahiriji was born in a small Brahmin family in Bengal. His penance for enlightenment starts quite early, as he was found meditating a the age of three or four. He moved to Varanasi when his family home was destroyed in a flood. Thus, Varanasi became the city where he spent his entire life.

He married and had two sons and three daughters. He was working as an engineer when he met the great Mahavatar Babaji.

Babaji found something special in Lahiriji and started teaching him the techniques of Kriya Yoga. After an extensive lesson from Babaji, Lahiri decided to spread the message of Kriya Yoga around the world.

Since then, his house in Varanasi started being filled with sincere and dedicated practitioners of Kriya Yoga, He also organized study groups, wherein the Gita was discussed.

The unique thing about Lahiri was, that he was one of the few saints who were not only supporting his family but also teaching Kriya Yoga. It was like he was leading a dual life.

The House of Lahiri Mahasaya

The humble house of Lahiri Mahasaya is now inhabited by his great-grandson. It was in this hose then that great Swami Shri Yukteshwar received his teachings. This little house has witnessed several such meetings, discussions and many other great saints had come here to learn  Kriya Yoga or just meet Lahiriji.

While you can only go inside the house in July for only two hours on the day of Guru Poornima, you can still certainly walk past the house and try to engulf all the spiritual aura that comes out of it.

The holy river of Ganga, itself is extremely pious and tranquil, and you can just sit there for some time. Just close your eyes, and try to imagine the time when this great saint was alive.