Siddhaloka - Abode of Siddhas

Siddhaloka Ashram

Siddhaloka literally means "Abode of the Siddhas", and a Siddha is understood to mean 'Perfect Being'. In the ancient Hindu scriptures, Siddhaloka 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.

Siddhaloka 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 Siddhaloka, 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. Siddhaloka is surrounded by holy spots with ancient histories. The entire setting is in the heart of nature, with beautifully peaceful sights all around. Siddhaloka 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.

To the east of Siddhaloka 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 Siddhaloka.

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

Siddhaloka 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.

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Pandava temple In the background here can be seen the hill on top of which is a Pandava temple	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.	Hill Top 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. In the distance can be seen the hill of Savan Durga, which gives the appearance of a seated elephant from this direction
Chitra Cave 'Chitra cave' is at the top of another hill in the jungles around SiddhaLoka	Conch Shell 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.	Devi Picture On one of the hills surrounding Siddhaloka 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.

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Pandava temple

In the background here can be seen the hill on top of which is a Pandava temple

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.

Hill Top

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. In the distance can be seen the hill of Savan Durga, which gives the appearance of a seated elephant from this direction

Chitra Cave

'Chitra cave' is at the top of another hill in the jungles around SiddhaLoka

Conch Shell

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.

Devi Picture

On one of the hills surrounding Siddhaloka 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.

Tour of Siddhaloka

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Entrance This is the entrance to the Siddhaloka ashram. Most likely, you would have come 42 kms from Bangalore, on the state highway to Magadi, and taken a right 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 Welcome to Siddhaloka ! 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"	Passage 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...
Siddha Kutir This is the Siddha Kutir , the cottage that is the abode of Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati.	Pond 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" .	Scene from top 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

Click to Enlarge

Entrance

This is the entrance to the Siddhaloka ashram. Most likely, you would have come 42 kms from Bangalore, on the state highway to Magadi, and taken a right 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

Welcome to Siddhaloka ! 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"

Passage

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...

Siddha Kutir

This is the Siddha Kutir , the cottage that is the abode of Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati.

Pond

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" .

Scene from top

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 Siddhaloka ! Keep visiting !!