Note: For some more pictures, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Sri Yukteswar Giri had a dream of building a circular meditation hall which would incorporate the 4 yugas namely: Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparayuga, Kaliyuga and also the star and planetary systems. The disciple would be able to sit within the meditation hall and easily see his/her cosmic birth sound, star sign, birth sign and astrological constellation.

In a practical sense the hall would serve to remind disciples of the intimate connection between God, the Universe/Cosmos, Time (Past, Present and Future) and the Individual. Each Human, made in the image of God, is also an image of ALL His creation. The hall brings together in one place all these connections. It is a profound place for the realisation of Truth.

Swami Shankarananda Giri has fulfilled Sri Yukteswar Giri's dream by building a unique temple with a circular hall. It includes life-size statues of 5 Kriya masters and has capacity for 200 people to sit and meditate in the meditation hall. The domed ceiling incorporates all 12 planetary signs engraved in astrologically correct positions. The 4 major yugas and the 27 stars are depicted. The meditation hall harmonizes deep resonances and powerful vibrations enabling deep meditation. On the outside wall of the meditation hall, there are 16 caves. This enables any disciple to meditate in a cave for as long as he or she wishes.

The temple is unique in bringing together astrological and spiritual symbols. In time to come, this will become a highly sort out centre and it will be open to all Kriyabans.

The Hiranyagarbha meditation hall has now been completed and the statues of the five masters have been installed. The remaining parts of the temple should be complete in late 2007.

Opening Ceremony and Associated Seminar

The seminar will start from 10th August 2007 for 10 days to 20th.

• 10th August will be for registration, arriving etc.
  
  
• 11th August is reserved for the Yagna consisting of the following ceremonies:
  
  
• Ankura ropana : germination of seeds that is symbolic representation of life force,
  
  
• Kalasha Yatra : procession with water pot- pot represents body and water represents life, All the participants will take part in Kalasha Yatra and each one will bring holy water from the river Mother Ganga in a water pot to begin with Yagna. All mothers participating will be wearing yellow sarees and all kriyaban brothers participating will be wearing yellow dhotis.
  
  
• Suryagni Dharana: catching solar fire directly from Sun God, represents holding the real fire not the material fire by which Homa and Yagna, the fire ceremony will be ignited in morning hours (10AM to 12.30 Noon).
  
  
• 13th August is reserved for Panchamundi Yagna - burning all problems resulting from our five minds (from Muladhar to Visudha). This will be a general ceremony, but anyone who is interested in taking part in this Yagna has to inform Swamiji in advance so that participants can do sankalpa (taking a vow vis-á-vis this ritual) and Yagna ahuti (offerings to fire in fire ceremony). This Yagna is useful in removing obstacles in one's personal life and for remedial effects on any bad influences of planets. The participant can also take part in the Yagna to help his/her loved ones such as family.
  
  Purnahuti (the last offering) to this Yagna will be done at 1pm when the moon transits from Cancer to Leo in ajna chakra. At this time, we will have five planets in Leo which is a rare occasion to perform such remedies. This occasion only takes place once in 30 years.
  
  
• On all other days there will be a seminar on the Bhagavad Gita in relation to Kriya Yoga. The seminar will be interspersed with meditation.
  
  
• 20th August will be the departure day

The seminar will be held in English.

For Kriyabans everywhere, this is a unique opportunity to understand some of the deepest insights into Kriya especially the Bhagavad Gita within the context of Babaji's Kriya Yoga and Sri Yukteswar's Cosmic Astrology.

Making A Booking

Visiting the temple at any time is of course free. However there is a cost associated with attending the seminar which cannot be suuported by the temple alone.

The cost of attending the seminar therefore is as follows:

• For those who have paid for building rooms at the temple, 200 euros per person for 10 days, to include room and food.
  
• For those who have not invested as above, the cost will be 400 euros per person for 10 days, to include room and food.
• Children can attend for free.

This cost includes accommodation, meals and any teaching materials.  It does not include insurance and travel to and from Rishikesh.

To confirm your booking please send the information requested below and one passport size photograph.  The cost of the course should be deposited directly into the bank account shown below or the money can be paid to the local country organiser.

The booking information should be sent to your country co-ordinator. 

Fifty percent of the cost must be paid for by 15th of June 2007 and the balance by 14th July 2007.

Cancellations: Full refunds will be given if advised of the cancellation before 15th July and fifty percent will be refunded if cancellation takes place between 16th July and 10th August inclusive.  Note that refunds will be further reduced by any bank transfer charges. 

Who should attend : Seats are strictly limited and availability is on a first come first serve basis. Although priority will be given to Kriyabans from within Swami Shankarananda's group, it is expected that there will be plenty of room for other Kriyabans regardless of how or where they were initiated.

If you are not initiated in Kriya Yoga, then it may be difficult for you to follow some of the teachings. You should contact your country co-ordinator to see if it will make sense for you to attend.

Insurance:  While the organisers will endeavour to take care of you and your possessions, we do not accept any liability whatsoever arising out of the seminar or any illness, injury or loss resulting from or relating to the ashram (encompassing travel to or from the ashram) and whether caused by negligence or any other cause whatsoever. We strongly recommend that participants arrange travel and other insurance to protect themselves.

Travel to Rishikesh: From New Delhi, you can travel either by train, bus or taxi. Generally it is best to travel by train up to Haridwar and than by taxi, bus or auto rickshaw.

The ashram will try to arrange a meeting point in New Delhi as well as a bus for people travelling in a group. Expect the cost to be about Rs. 400 - Rs. 500 per person. Country co-ordinators should inform Swamiji if they would like to take advantage of this offer - indicate when the group will arrive and how many people will need to travel.

The approximate costs of such travel in Indian Rupees are as follows:

Return Trip: For your return trip, you should aim to fly out of New Delhi any time after the evening of the 20th August as it will take about 1 day to get to New Delhi.

In summary the participant should book their flights according to the following schedule:

Booking information required:

If you have any questions, please e-mail Swamiji

Some additional pictures of the temple: