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Kripalu Bagh Ashram
The headquarters of the Divya Yog Mandir Trust is located in the Kripalu Bagh Ashram in
Kankhal, Haridwar. This ashram was established in 1932 by Swami Kripaludevji Maharaj who was originally from Mewar in
Rajasthan, whose name was Yati Kishorchand before he became a sanyasi.
Kishorchand was an active freedom fighter and his ashram was the place of refuge for several freedom fighters of the likes of Ras Behari Bose (who was
involved in the 'Lord Harding Bombing Episode') who was on the run from the British government in India. Kishorchand
was responsible for establishing the first public library of Haridwar, which had an impressive collection of 3,500
books. He was also responsible for publishing and distributing newspapers like Yugantar and Lokantar
and a monthly magazine Vishwagyan in North India. These newspapers were the voice of the freedom fighters and
hence were reprehensible in the eyes of the British. The latter tried its best to locate the place of publishing and
distribution of these papers, but failed repeatedly.
Finally Yati Kishorchand became a sanyasi and people began calling him Kripaludevji Maharaj. He passed away
in 1968. Kripaludevji Maharaj was succeeded by his disciple
Swami Shankardevji Maharaj. Swami Ramdevji is his disciple.
Establishing Divya Yog Mandir Trust
Divya Yog Mandir Trust was established in Kankhal in Haridwar in 1995. The Mission Statement of the Trust is to
"establish a learning center wherein it will be the prime objective to foster education based on modern scientific
learning; to promote a healthy mind and a vibrant body enabling facilitation of spiritual development to rejuvenate
latent noble virtues in children so that their lives epitomize the values of beauty, dedication, and rationalism
thereby engendering a world of harmony friendship, brotherhood, peace, and prosperity."
Some of the main
objectives of the Trust is the spread of Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine.
Location of the ashram
The nearest airport is Jollygrant, a half-hour drive from Haridwar. Taxis and buses ply regularly between the airport
and city, making it easily accessible.
Haridwar is also well connected by rail so traveling is not a problem.
It is 215 kms from the capital New Delhi, (a 5-6 hrs drive). National Highway No. 45 runs through the city and the
state transport provides ample number of buses from the ordinary to the air-conditioned deluxe ones.
Once in
Haridwar, horse carriages called tongas and cycle rickshaws, apart from motorized taxis and local buses, are
available in plenty for in-city travel.
Contact details
One can correspond with the ashram at
the following address:
Divya Yog Mandir (Trust),
Kripalu Bagh Ashram,
Kankhal – 249 408,
Haridwar, Uttaranchal
Tel: +91-1334-244 107/ 246 737/ 240 008
Fax: +91-1334-244 805
E-mail:divyayoga@rediffmail.com
Website: www.divyayoga.com
Where to stay
In case you want to visit the ashram you can stay in the guest accommodation available within.
However, if you want to meet with Swami Ramdevji you must check out the time schedule for his camps, so that you can
meet with him at the camp itself.
Patanjali Yog Peeth
One of the most ambitious aims of the Trust is
to establish Patanjali Yog Peeth, a one-of-its-kind Ayurveda and Yoga laboratory. Spread over
an area of 1,000 acres, this grand project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav
and the owner of the Sahara Group media company Subroto Roy in September 16, 2004.
The project is about 25% complete and as part of the Patanjali Yog Peeth a Rs. 200 crore hospital is also
on the anvil which will have over 5,000 beds. People from all walks of life will have access to the hospital
facilities where they will be treated free of charge.
The funds for the construction of the
Patanjali Yog Peeth are being
garnered through the several Yoga Camps that are organized all across the country. Each
camp sees between 15,000 - 20,000 attendees.
To raise more funds for this project Ramdevji also plans to organize camps in the United States sometime
in 2006.
The other source of revenue for the project is the sales of Ayurvedic medicines. For this purpose an
organic garden Aushadh Vatika has been set up at the ashram, which is home to some of the most rare
herbs used in Ayurvedic preparations. All Ayurvedic formulations are prepared under the stewardship of
Acharya Balkrishnaji Maharaj in consultation with Swami Ramdevji.
Apart from the Aushadh Vatika,
the ashram also has a sprawling Go-shala (cow shelter) which is home to some 500 cows. These
cows are fed on organically grown fodder. Milk from these cows is used in food preparation like curd etc.
Plans are afoot to set up Ayurvedic medicine centers across cities, which will house two doctors and stock
Ayurvedic medicines. At the center Yoga and Pranayam classes will also be conducted.
Several people who have attended Ramdevji's camps or followed the footage shown on television assert that the
yogic postures and Pranayam taught have been extremely beneficial. People have claimed that their
blood-sugar level prior to the commencement of the camp and on conclusion of the week-long camp has come down
drastically. One gentleman in Pune claims that when he attended the camp he lost 4 kg weight in a week's time.
For most urban folk who lead a sedentary life, Ramdevji's Pranayam and Yoga has been extremely
helpful. By just altering their lifestyles a little they can heal their bodies. Some of the lifestyle changes
he suggests are:
Following the clock of nature
- Waking up early and going to bed early
- Avoiding overeating
- Chewing food properly
- Not consuming food while in tension, anger or in a hurry
- Avoiding eating too spicy or oily food
- Completely stopping the consumption
of non-vegetarian food, alcohol and
tobacco/nicotine-containing products
He also advocates regular practice of Pranayam along with some basic Yoga exercises for a healthy
life.
Ramdevji has literally come like a breath of fresh air when Indians, especially the urban ones, are reeling under
the pulls and pressures of modern-day fast-paced life. His focus is more on the practical aspect of Yoga rather
than on the spiritual one, and that probably is the single-most important reason behind his stupendous success
and growing strength of followers all across the world.
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