Shri Yukteshwar Giri Ashram: A Spiritual Abode In The Coast Of Puri

Shri Yukteshwar Giri Ashram: A Spiritual Abode In The Coast Of Puri

The Puri Hermitage of Shri Yukteshwar Giri is also called the Kara Ashram and it was established in 1903. This wonderful ashram is considered to be one of the pillars for learning Kriya Yoga and meditation, and people from all over the world come here to catch a break from the stress of the modern world.

Ashram Location

• The ashram is located away from the noise centres of the city, and into the laps of the serene nature. There is ample place for you to meditate, introspect or to simply sit and get lost in your thoughts. The lovely gardens and green spaces within the ashram also provide for a visual area.

Paramahansa Yoganandaji

• The great saint Paramahansa Yoganandaji also spent some fond memories at the Puri Ashram, which he talks about in detail in his famous book’ Autobiography of An Yogi. I am a follower of Shri Yukteshwar Giri, and the Puri Ashram was the only one that I hadn’t visited.
• So when the opportunity presented itself to me, I didn’t wait at all. I just packed my bags and left to visit this holy ashram located in the coastal town of Puri.

My Spiritual Experience

• My train finally halted at the Puri station in the wee hours of the morning. As I got off the train I was instantly reminded of how beautiful and gorgeous this town is.
• I had been to Puri many times before, however, my travels were limited to a family vacation at the beach or a religious sojourn at the famous Jagannath Temple.
• Yet, this time around I was looking for something different. This time I was visiting the regal ashram of Shri Yukteswar Giri.
• As I started to look for my vehicle at the station, I decided to enquire about the ashram so that I know where to go. Yet, it seemed that everyone was oblivious to the location of the ashram.
• It seemed as if the ashram was hidden at some mysterious and remote location and only the worthy could know about it. Finally, after asking several people, one person told me that the ashram was located near Swargadwar, which is one of the most crematoria in Puri.
• After a while, I reached the beautiful location of Swargadwar which is located near the thunderous sea. The shore is pretty close, and you can hear the bay of Bengal roaring with all its might. It felt just magical, and I started to get a little nostalgic as well.

The Ashram Shri Yukteshwar Giri 

• Finally, after walking a little bit I found the date of Swargadwar. From there I took a left and reached the ashram complex after walking a little bit more.
• The ashram is as humble as one can be, yet there is a magnetic aura about that surrounds it. You can instantly feel a sense of calmness and tranquillity washing over you. It feels as if you are in the presence of great saints and great minds.
• The beautiful Puri Ashram of Shri Yukteshwar Giri also has a lovely Dhyana Mandir complete with a stunning garden. I noticed that the garden has a blossoming row of flowers all arranged neatly and cleanly. The ashram also has a reception, kitchen and three rooms for accommodation.
• These rooms are only available for devotees and member of Yogoda Satsanga. Devotees are also welcomed with open arms to stay here, refresh their minds, get a break from the daily cacophony of noise, and to bring peace to their souls.

Walking Through Shri Yukteshwar Giri Ashram

• The first thing I saw when I entered the Ashram was the large meditation hall. The hall is open for disciples and it is open every evening. The hall itself is pretty large, and the lightening is soothing to the eyes.
• The ambience screams of tranquillity, and even my heart yearned to just sit there, close my eyes and meditate.
• The walls of the halls were adorned with portraits and photographs of great saints and Yogis like Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswara Giri, and Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
• These photographs add a lot to the room. Every time you open your eyes you will feel the presence of these great saints guiding you and looking after you.
• I spent a considerable amount of time in the meditation hall, after which I proceeded to the samadhi of Shri Yukteshwar Giri. The samadhi of Shri Yukteshwar Giri is kept in a serene and peaceful place.
• You can almost start to visualise how this ashram might have been when all these great saints and yogis lived under the same roof at the same time.

Saying Farewell

• After I finished my quick tour of this pious ashram, I realised it was time to go. Yet, my heart desired to come back to stay at the ashram.
• There were group meditations that when can attend, and many other workshops like- interpretation of the Gita, al of which I wanted to attend. Yet, that was for another day.
• As I looked back at the ashram, I was in awe of the young monks who took care of this place and gave it the much-needed love and care.
• However, this Puri hermitage of Shri Yukteshwar Giri is still not as renowned as other ashrams, even though it deserves to be. This place is truly a gem that keeps on giving, and everyone once in their lifetime should stay and visit it.