Ganeshpuri

Ganeshpuri is a small village in rural Maharashtra, India, about 80km north of Mumbai.

A spiritual hub

On the surface, it looks like any dusty little Indian village. But Ganeshpuri is an important spiritual place. At the centre of the town is the Samadhi shrine of a great being, Bhagawan Nityananda. Nityananda left his body in 1961, but his presence can still be felt in the village.

Ganeshpuri revolves around the daily temple schedule, waking up just after 4.00am for the morning abishek (bathing of the murti of Nityananda), bustling with visitors and often busloads of school children by the time of the midday arati (waving of lights), and quietening down in the evening after the 8.00pm arati.

Nityananda Mandir, Ganeshpuri

 Near the temple is a bustling little shopping area. There is a long row of stalls selling garlands for devotees to give as offerings. An array of little shops sell puja items, CDs, photographs of Nityandanda and other saints. There are a few tea stalls and hotels selling food.

On the edge of the village is Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the ashram established by Baba Muktananda and now overseen by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. Many westerners visit here - a legacy of Muktananda's great influence through his world tours in the 1970s. This is the ashram mentioned in Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.

Gurudev Siddha Peeth