Nithyananda Update and Photographs

Received these photographs today and am posting them below as they represent the last 'happy' visit of Swami Nithyananda to Tiruvannamalai and Arunachaleswarar Temple. The photos are from the beginning of 2010 during his visit to Tiruvannamalai (which is his native place) in celebration of his Birthstar.

Right-click on photographs to view enlarged version

To read a balanced and insightful posting about the lessons one can learn from the Swami Nithyananda scandal, go to this link here. While there also check out the comment section of the posting.

Swami Nithyananda Rebuttal Interview

This Saturday, March 13th, Swami Nithyananda in an interview at Haridwar with “Times Now” spoke about the now infamous sting tape of himself with actress Ranjitha. To read a short article of this interview go to this link here.

You can watch the whole 16.14 minute interview in the embedded YouTube video below.

Nithyananda Promises Clarification

“Bangalore: Swami Nithyananda of the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, in the news for his alleged involvement in a sex scandal, will appear in public “in a day or two” with a clarification on the controversy surrounding him, said the Dhyanapeetam authorities in their first formal media appearance after a private TV channel telecast objectionable video images of him.

The so-called sex-scandal involving the godman was a creation of “surgical precision” by the electronic media, which had a “hidden agenda,” said the Dhyanapeetam's spokesperson Nithya Sachidananda at the Ashram premises in Bidadi. He said the godman was now participating in the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar.

“There is a threat to the Swamiji's life and he has been receiving threatening calls,” he said. “We are contemplating legal action against those responsible for tarnishing the image of Swami Nithyananda and the ashram . . . "

(Extract from The Hindu – India National Newspaper,
Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010]

To read full report go to this link here:

Godman? No, Just Human

The below article entitled 'Godman? No, Just Human' by Vikram Muthanna raises some interesting points about Nithyananda’s current situation. I’ll post my own thoughts and updates as to the climate in Tiruvannamalai towards the ‘scandal’ over the next few days. But for now read on:


Godman? No, Just Human

"They called him ‘Swami’ Nithyananda, they laid their hearts at his feet as they performed ‘pada puja’. They laid out their life savings for a boon from him and in return he shattered their hopes and hearts. But Nithyananda’s sex scandal has also woken his devotees up from their Rip van Winkle slumber of blind faith and ignorance. The message is clear, Godmen are as human as the rest of us. Nithyananda who took his name a little too seriously, Nithya Ananda — “always happy,” is not the first nor will he be the last swami to succumb to mortal desires. As long as there is misery in the world, there will be godmen giving hope, even if it’s only placebo.

Nithyananda certainly seems to have made some people’s lives better. He smiled his ‘toothpaste smile’ all the time. But to be happy he needed more than just ‘pada pujas’ and money, it seems he also needed ‘intimate healing sessions’. Now the question is, did Nithyananda do something wrong by having sex? Legally, No. Two consenting adults had sex, it’s a non-issue. But the problem is that he said he was a Swami and a Brahmachari. Accordingly, he was treated like god by his devotees who now feel he defrauded them. To be sure, there are also other criminal charges of destroying evidence and the possession of illegal materials. But why is everyone so surprised? Nithyananda is a 33-year-old man and like all men his hormones would be ravenous for a little bit of sexual intimacy."

To read the rest of the article click here.

Swami Nithyananda Update

In the first week of August (August 1st-3rd) Swami Nithyananda visited Tiruvannamalai for a three day programme which comprised; a tree planting ceremony, question-answer talk, function at Arunachaleswarar Temple, homam at Dhyanapeetam Ashram, meditation session, Guru Puja at "Pavalakkundru", where Swamiji had his first self-realisation experience, walk to Skandashram, inauguration of the first Medical camp organized at Dhyanapeetam Ashram and night girivalam with Swami Nithyananda.

Temple Function

Homa at Dhyanapeetam Ashram

Pavalakkundru Function

For full report of visit go to this link here

Subsequent to Swami’s programme, I visited the developing Dhyanapeetam Ashram located by the side of Girivalam Pathway (across from Rajarajeshwari Temple) and was welcomed very graciously by the friendly sannyasins and sevas who man the Ashram. They told me that all are welcome to spend time at the Ashram where they can read literature and watch videos about Swami Nithyananda and his work.

The following two upcoming programmes will be available at Dhyanapeetam Ashram:

August 23rd and 24th an ASP * programme which is open to all and conducted in TAMIL.
August 23rd and 24th an NDSS (Nithyananda youth members training camp for ages 18-40 years) programme .

For registration and details for either of the above call: (0)999-45-58334 or (0)944-49-91089

Website dedicated to all Swami Nithyananda functions and events in Tamil Nadu check this site here.

* What is Ananda Spurana Program all about?

The Ananda Spurana Program (ASP) is an introductory level 2-day meditation program that works on the seven energy centers (chakras) in the human body . .

How are the ASP meditations different?

The ASP consists of a package of seven transformational meditation techniques drawn from all religions for all regions, and cognized and enriched by Swamiji's keen insight and knowledge. These meditation techniques dramatically restore the life energy; eliminate deep rooted Engraved Memories (Samskaras), thereby infusing good health and bliss. which is the innate nature of every being. These meditation techniques can be practiced by one and all and have been enriched to suit the modern man's mind and mind-set. The techniques allow the blossoming.”

Above excerpt on ASP taken from this link here.

Nithyananda Ashram

“A grand inauguration ceremony was conducted at the new ashram in Tiruvannamalai on April 19th 2008. With the majestic Arunachala as backdrop this is one of the most beautiful and going forward will be the most visited Nithyananda ashram in India. Being a full moon day, the day was also celebrated in Tiruvannamalai as Giri-Dakshina Giri Valam (14km barefoot circumambulation of Arunachala). At least 1 million people have been estimated to have walked around the mountain that day and almost everyone who walked were drawn into the ashram by the intense energy field of 1008 shiva lingas and an inner circle of deities all placed strategically in a circle around the main deities Sri Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari, Subramanya and Ganapathy.”

Abhisheka to Gods Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari

Swami Nithyananda

To read further and for a full compilation of photographs of the Inauguration of Nithyananda’s Ashram at Tiruvannamalai on April 19 th, 2008, to this link here>>>

Dhyanapeetam Inauguration

So this morning made my arrangements to visit the function held at the new three acre Nithyananda facility around the Hill.

Obviously a lot of folk had done very dedicated service in getting the facility ready in time for the function. I got there myself around 9.45 a.m. (the programme will extend throughout this day) because I was curious to be there for the arrival of Nithyananda.

I recognised alot of familiar faces - well after all Tiruvannamalai is a very small town! Even though it was a blazing hot morning, we were comfortable in our nice shady spots. And around 10.30 a.m. Swami Nithyananda arrived and duly took his seat on the dais.

I hope to post more about the function in the next day or so.

Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple

The new 'Sri Arunachala Dhyanapeetam' at Tiruvannamalai now offers a 'Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple'.

During Vedic times, sages and saints identified 9 planets, 12 rasis (rasi refers to the sign in which the moon is placed at the time of a person's birth) and 27 stars. The positions of these planets, rasis and stars at the time of a person's birth, is believed to affect the whole course of their life.

Based on the birth date, astrologers fix the birth star of a person and based on the birth star, the traditional system of astrology assigns a specific tree mentioned in the Vedas to it. These specific trees are named Nakshatra Shanthi. Each zodiac tree is said to have medicinal, social and aesthetic values that correspond to the characteristics and ethos of the particular star.

Sri Arunachala Dhyanapeetam offers the opportunity to access one's particular nakshatra tree. Whenever necessary, the Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple will also help calculate a person's birth star and identify the relevant star tree.

As an example of the various Nakshatras trees, below is information of the Banyan whose Nakshatra is Magam(Maka).

The banyan, Ficus benghalensis, is a large fig tree belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae. It grows in India and Bangladesh and is held sacred in both places. The tree begins life as an epiphyte on a host tree, gathering its nourishment and water from the air. As it grows, its lateral branches send down aerial supporting roots that become absorbing roots when they reach the ground. Eventually, the host tree is smothered as the banyan continues to send out more branches and roots. The mature banyan's canopy may cover an area more than 300m (1,000 ft) in diameter. The leathery, evergreen leaves are up to 20 cm (8in) long. The reddish figs are eaten by birds and bats.

For fuller information on all the nakshatra trees and of the services offered by the Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple please check this link.

Time stands still

[By Paramahamsa Nithyananda]

'Hindu mythology of creation talks about how the Universe is created each time the Creator Brahma blinks! Sages of ancient India measured time through the concept of kshana. Kshana is not chronological time.

It was not measured as the amplitude of a pendulum or the frequency of an electronic chip. Kshana was not generic time, but individual time. Kshana is the time between two thoughts. My kshana and your kshana are different.

In the case of the average person, in whom the mind is constantly active, desires and thoughts pour out without a stop, the time between two thoughts is very small, very very small. In the case of an enlightened being, who is a no mind state, in whom there are no thoughts, kshana is infinite.

Kshana is the time between two thoughts. It is the space between two thoughts. This is the time and space that Buddha referred to as sunya, and that which Sankara referred to as purna. It is the no mind zone, the mindful zone, in which you touch base with yourself.

Kshana is that present moment in which you come face to face with the divinity within yourself, recognise the cosmic energy that you are part of. When you are in that kshana, you are truly aware; you are energised and refreshed. Meditation takes you into that awareness.

When you are in front of an enlightened Master who is in a no mind state without thoughts your own thought level comes down, and kshana becomes longer. Without even trying you become calmer, more peaceful, and more aware. The same experience occurs when you are in the energy field of an enlightened master who is no longer in body, as in a Jiva Samadhi, where the master's body has been buried.

Contrary to what western philosophers say about the idle mind, if it is silent, it is not the devil's workshop. It is God’s workshop! It is the busy mind that is truly the devil’s workshop.

Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am". That is a mere fact; an irrelevant one. Vedanta says, "When you stop thinking, you are." This is truth; the cosmic truth. Be still and you will be God.'

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Paramahamsa Nithyananda's organisation is currently developing two ashram facilities here at Tiruvannamalai. One is located near Pavalakunru(in town near the Big Temple), where Nithyananda had his realisation experience. The other ashram is located in Tiruvannamalai's outlying countryside. I will report back soon on the progress of both ashrams currently under development. In the meantime you can access Paramahamsa Nithyananda's official website.