Kumaon, Kriya Yoga & Karma

Apart from jaw dropping snow clad Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Kamet….that dazzle, as if a beauty pageant is on; Kumaon is blessed with innumerable ancient caves, mountain hideaways and spiritual centres, which have none of the frills associated with commercial tourism. These spiritual nerve centres have remained graciously hidden from the crass commercial touristic purviews of our contemporary travel trends. 

Not many are aware that the Kriya Yoga Capital of the world is located in Kumaon’s Dunagiri region, where Mahaavatar Babaji - an ageless Yogi, who has transcended the physical limitations of the “body-mind”  setup and is believed to have been in existence ever since the dawn of the universe, has his holy cave beautifully tucked away in this part of the Himalayas.

Kriya Yoga:

By the way, Kriya Yoga - an ancient meditative practice, was first highlighted to the world by Paramahansa Yogananda through his immensely popular book - "Autobiography of a Yogi," wherein he introduced to the world the existence of the ageless Yogi - Mahaavatar Babaji.

As a spiritual practitioner, I feel fortunate to be residing in Kalyani in the District of Nadia, which is in close proximity to Ghurni - the birthplace of Lahiri Mahashaya ( Shyama Charan Lahiri) who was the foremost disciple of the  revered Mahaavatar Babaji. It was in Dunagiri cave of Kumaon Himalayas where Mahaavatar Babaji first initiated Lahiri Mahasaya, taught him the nuances of Kriya Yoga and bestowed on him the responsibility of spreading the fragrance of Yoga to the world.

No wonder, I cherished this intense desire to visit Dunagiri cave and have a first hand experience of the Yogic vibes. 

The Divine Invitation:

A couple of month's back, on the invitation of my Kumaoni friend from Almora - Chandan Singh Koranga, I finally made up my mind to visit Kumaon and spend time at Dunagiri, just to feel the divine presence of great souls like Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahashaya and other Kriya Yogis who are silently practicing this ancient system of Yoga for the emancipation of this world and thereby creating a new world order based on the tenants of Kriya Yoga.

Reaching Kumaon:

Chandan's “Pahadi Kumaon” hospitality touched my heart. I stayed in his Wood Villas cottages, 20 Kms. away from Almora at an elevation of 1424 m above sea level, which was a perfect Himalayan  hideout from where I could just bask in the surreal sights of the distant snow clad Himalayan peaks, the clouds drifting by and colourful packs of Himalayan avian species flying in unison, thereby creating an extraordinary symphony that only the Himalayas can offer!

Wooden cottages offer an aesthetic charm which is timeless. They radiate harmony and are remarkably sustainable. The architectural finesse too was every bit European and wholly constructed out of wood, a rarity in the Indian context.

Kasar Devi Hill - India's Van Allen Belt:

Before embarking on our trip to Dunagiri, Chandan took me to Kasar Devi Hill - one of the world’s rarest places and a NASA certified Van Allen Belt. This Hill is synonymous with very high levels of Geomagnetic rays that aids both in revitalising and rejuvenating the body-mind-soul system, in a perfect cosmic symphony that benefits whosoever takes the plunge of spending time in contemplation of the Divine. 

After offering Puja to Mata Kasar Devi, regarded as one of Devi Durga’s form – Devi Kattayini, I ventured towards the “Akhand Jyoti” or The Eternal Flame where there is an exclusive “Havan Kund” and I could see the wooden logs burning. The aroma of the smoke emanating from the “Kund” felt divine and purifying.  According to the temple’s priest, there is a belief that the ash of the “ Havan Kund” has magical properties in curing people who suffer from mental illness.