Siddha Loka Ashram
Siddha Loka literally means "Abode of the Siddhas", and a Siddha is understood to mean 'Perfect Being'. In the ancient Hindu scriptures, Siddha loka is described as the world inhabited by Siddhas, the Perfected Ones. An Ashram (hermitage) of this name is situated about 40 km from Bangalore in Southern India. This is the seat of the Siddha Yoga Dham, a registered charitable institution whose spiritual head is Param Poojya (His Holiness) Swami Chetanananda Saraswati, who belongs to the ancient lineage of Siddha Gurus.
Siddha Loka is a place full of splendour and serenity. The ashram is surrounded by hills and forests, with a breathtaking view, and is in the heart of rural Karnataka. The place is blessed by Siddhas and is an ocean of Siddha Shakti (divine power). There is no pollution of any form. One is inspired to remain indrawn and experience the natural meditative state.
At Siddha Loka, Siddha students render service to the Guru, leading a disciplined life, practicing Siddha Yoga and striving to see Divinity within themselves and in all others. Siddha Loka is surrounded by holy spots with ancient histories. The entire setting is in the heart of nature, with beautifully peaceful sights all around.
To
the east of Siddha Loka is the river 'Paschim-Vahini' flowing from the
famous Nandi Durga hills. There are Siddha caves in the west. There is 'Shiva-Ganga'
in the north and the Savana Durga hill in the south. All these sacred
places offer a very good view from this beautiful spot. The rows of tall
Neelgiri trees tossing their heads in the fragrant breeze around and the small
hillocks in the surroundings raise the level of peace, purity and serenity of
Siddha Loka.
The goal of the Siddha Yoga Dham is "Removal of all Sorrows" and to "Attain Supreme Bliss". This trust is engaged in beneficial activities for the people of the surrounding villages. the organisation is devoted towards satisfying the social, economic, educational, health and most importantly spiritual needs of people. Param Poojya Sri Gurudev also undertakes extensive tours of the country and conducts Siddha Meditation Intensives, bestowing His Divine Grace upon thousands of devotees. All are welcome to experience the bliss within themselves through the natural and spontaneous path of Siddha Yoga, where the guiding beacon is the grace of Param Poojya Sri Gurudev. Sri Gurudev treats everyone equally, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, race, nationality, occupation or status. The Siddha Guru is indeed the fountainhead of Divine Bliss, for which modern man finds himself increasingly thirsty.
With the inauguration of SIDDHALOKA, a long cherished dream of our beloved Param Poojya Sri Gurudev was fulfilled. This piece of land had dreams of becoming a site of spiritual practice for Siddha students for ages. In Satya-Yuga divine powers lived here. In Treta-Yuga the asectics did their penance and achieved perfection. In Dwapara-Yuga, the Pandavas with their mother Kunti spent time here during their 'Van-vaas'. Now in Kali-Yuga, this place was meant for SIDDHALOKA to come into existence on earth.
SIGHTS OF SIDDHALOKA
Siddha Loka is surrounded by sites of historical, archaeological as well as religious
or mythological importance, which form an integral part of the place and
underline its mystery, purity and divinity.
<< In the background here can be seen the hill on top of which is a Pandava
temple. 
The structure is built of just four slabs of stone with a fifth slab for a roof. It is reputed that the Pandavas (whose tale is the theme of the Mahabharata) stayed here for some time during their Van-vaas. >>
In
the distance can be seen the hill of Savan Durga, which gives the appearance of
a seated elephant from this direction.
<< The cave derives its name from the peculiar picture-script found on its walls, which have been estimated by experts
to date back to prehistoric times. The script is referred to as Shankha
or 'Conch-shell' script. The actual height of the picture shown here is about
four metres.
On one of the hills surrounding Siddha Loka is a massive
pattern (about 30 metres, or 90 feet high) etched naturally on the rocks. If you
observe carefully, it appears as a picture of the goddess Durga or Shakti,
mounted on a lion, crown on head, arm raised with sword in hand...
>>
This is the entrance to the Siddha Loka ashram. Most
likely, you would have come 42 kms from Bangalore, on the state highway to
Magadi (see Map), and taken a left turn at Varadenahalli hand post to come
another 3 km, before you finally see a road winding up a hill to the left, which
leads you up to these steps. Your journey is at an end.
>>
<< Welcome to Siddha Loka ! All
seekers are equally welcome, irrespective of religion, caste, region, gender or
status. The board at the entrance says: "Leave your Ego with your Footwear
here".
This is the Siddha
Kutir , the cottage that is the abode of Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda
Saraswati. >>
<< We go up from the level of the
cottage and the sheds which serve as meditation hall, accommodation for
inmates, office and climb the steps...
This is a small pond where rain water is collected. The rocks
all around have been decorated with symbols from all faiths: Hinduism, Islam,
Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism. The message is: Paraspara Devo Bhava,
that is "See Divinity in All" >>
<< We go further and climb the hill
towards the Pandava temple. Looking back, this is how the pond and its
surroundings look. The ashram sheds are further below...
There is much, much more to Siddha Loka ! Keep visiting !!
<< Also on the same hilltop, there is a pond in the shape of a human foot (or a fish, depending upon which side one looks from).
This is reputed to have been created by Bheema, the mighty Pandava, by pressing
his foot down into the rock.
Another nearby site, which is of great interest to archaeologists is the 'Chitra'
('picture') cave. This is at the top of another hill in the jungles around
Siddha Loka >>
