प्रेमानुभवः; प्रेम एव परमेश्वरः
premānubhavaḥ; prema eva parameśvaraḥ
Experience Love; Love is Divine
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Experience a way of living.
Here, life is shaped
not by instruction, but by guidance.
Chikka Ashram - Guru Kuteeram
Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana,
rooted in the ancient Guru Parampara
of Gaudapaadaacharya was
established on 3 April 1960 by
Paramapujya Jagadguru
Sri Sri Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal.
Situated on the banks of the sacred river Vrishabhavati in Kalayanapuri,
that is Bengaluru, the Ashrama
rests in a space of quiet sanctity.
In these serene surroundings,
everything seems to gently vibrate
with the praise of the Divine Mother.
The Divine Guidance
Paramapujya Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal was guided by His Guru, Sri Shivapuri Baba of Nepal, to carry forward the sacred Guru Parampara of the ancient Matha of Sivaratnapuri near Srinagar, Kashmir. Having initiated and anointed Him in this lineage, the Guru instructed Him to travel south, where a greater purpose awaited. Before beginning this journey, He went to Mount Kailash. In deep meditation, He had the vision of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. An incorporeal voice spoke: “Proceed south. Go to Karnataka and establish an ashrama there.”
The Journey Begins
On the auspicious day of Sankranthi, Thursday, 14 January 1960, Paramapujya Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal began his journey south towards Mysore, accompanied by his disciples.
The Divine Sign
Six miles southwest of Bengaluru, as He looked up at the sky, three Garudas were seen circling above. In that moment, He recalled the Divine Vision of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati at Mount Kailash.
The Chosen Place
He followed the path to a small village, Kenchanahalli. There, amidst a grove of guava trees, the Garudas continued to circle. Recognizing the sign, he chose this sacred place for the Ashrama.
The place was not chosen. It was revealed.
A Sacred Tapobhūmi
This land is revered as the Tapobhūmi of Maharishi Atri and Anasuya Devi, where they performed pooja to the Divine Mother in the Satya Yuga.
Maharishi Atri, one of the ancient Saptarishis, is known for his great tapas and wisdom. Anasuya Devi, his consort, is remembered for her purity, compassion, and spiritual strength.
Through their tapas, this space became sanctified, carrying a presence that continues to be felt even today.
Loka Kalyāṇa
Guided by the principles of Bhaarateeya Sanskruti, the Ashrama serves with the intention of uplifting all, beyond distinctions of caste, creed, or background.
Through its various initiatives, it touches lives across spirituality, education, and healthcare.
The Ashrama is the mother institution of Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Devasthana, the Sri Shivaratnapuri Temple of Health, the Patashala for Vedic and Agamic studies, and the Sri Jnanakshi Educational Institutions Trust. Sri Mahaswamigal has also built an auditorium and a kalyana mantapa.
Anubhava's of Devotees
Each experience is different,
yet the presence remains the same.
The following experience of Sri Tarzie Vittachi, a devotee of Sri Shivapuri Baba, is recorded in the book The Long Pilgrimage by John G Bennett.
Tarzie Vittachi asked Sri Shivapuri Baba on upbringing of his children.
Sri Shivapuri Baba guides by saying that the child must be responsible to be first, efficient, second responsible and third aware of questions of why we are living, truth and God. Even making a cup of tea must be perfected by practice - trial and error. Responsibility must be learnt becuse this leads to concern for duty. Concern for spiritual matters is needed because this is one's duty, to find the truth and God. Children must be given daily duties - a daily plan for life. simplify their lives for them.
The following experience of Sri C, a devotee of Sri Tiruchi Swamiji is recorded in the book Life and Work of Sri Shivaratnapuri Swamiji by S Y Krishnaswamy.
Mr C was a pious gentleman. He never took food without offereing it to the sadhus. It became customary for hundreds of them to gather everyday. Even today when the circumstances are not what they were, he continues the practice as best as he can. A few years ago Swamiji got a frantic telephone call from the person's mother-in-law that he was in the throes of a sevre heart attack, and that the doctors held out no hope. She wanted the Swamiji to come and see him immediately Except for a Padapuja or a Kumbhabhishekam in a temple, Swamiji never leave the Ashram. For reasoons best known to him, Swamiji made an exception in this case. He called for a car and went to Mr C's house. He was in great pain. Swamiji smeared sacred ash all over his body and reassured those present that he will recover, which indeed he did.
An experience of Sri and Smt A, a devotee of Sri Jayendra Puri Swamiji.
Sri and Smt A, devoted followers of Sri Jayendra Puri Swamiji, were in Chennai during the devastating floods that had brought the city to a standstill. Through a sevak, Swamiji enquired about their well-being and gently asked them to come to Bengaluru. Though the roads were flooded and the journey seemed impossible, they placed complete faith in their Guru’s words and began their journey. As they traveled, the floodwaters gradually receded, the path cleared before them, and they safely reached Bengaluru—feeling deeply that their Guru had been with them at every step, guiding and protecting them.
