The Ashram established by Swamiji is at Varadpur
in the state of Karnataka near Sagar, District Shimoga. This is a sacred place
in the Sahyadri ranges where the greatest of sages like Maharshi Agastya and
Maharshi Vyas had done their sadhana thousands of years ago. Maharshi Vyas had
established a temple of the Goddess Jagdamba which is still there and there is
also the cave where he used to meditate in solitude. His Samadhi is also there.
He had spent his last years here. All the disciples visit this Ashram as they
believe that Swamiji although is omnipresent he is in the Ashram always, even
when he is with the disciples wherever they are and hence the frequent visits
to the Ashram, to seek the blessings of Swamiji. It is a very picturesque
place, full of Nature's bounties worth visiting even if you are not a disciple
of Swamiji or are not inclined towards spiritualism, after your visit there,
you will be!
The Ashram is run by a Trust, the members of
which are Swamiji's staunch disciples and have no other interest in life except
for worshipping Swamiji and serving the visitors. All of them stay in the
Ashram and don't accept any salary. It is a purely charitable organization.
Those visiting the Ashram can stay there without
paying any charges. They are provided free lodging and boarding. It mainly
consists of :
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Swamiji's Samadhi Mandir (Temple):
with the cave where Swamiji used to stay during his solitude.
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Dharma Stambha with the Dharma Dhwaj:
This is at the top of the mountain and is 30 feet in height. The Dharma Dhwaj
is made of 5 sacred metals.
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Sanskrit Pathshala (School):
named after Swamiji where the students learn the Vedas, the Upanishads and the
related spiritual literature apart from Swamiji's and Shree Samarth's
preaching.
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Goshala (Cow shelter):
houses around 250 cows.
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There is a residential complex for the visitors, food preparation rooms and
dining halls.
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Shreedhar Teerth:
is a constant source of water running 24 hours a day created by Swamiji, the
origin of which no one knows and a pool for the storage of water is constructed
there. This water which we the disciples believe will run till the existence of
the Earth is purest in quality, not found in the areas around and has a
fragrance of its own. Even when stored for years together in any clean
container, it never looses the fragrance or is never contaminated. It is used
by the disciples as the sacred Teerth made available to them by Swamiji for use
during calamities in their family lives or during the pooja.
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The Ashram is totally run on the money sent by the disciples as Guru Seva
(Service). Till date it has never faced any financial or other problems! How
can it, when it was Swamiji's fondest place after Sajjangad. The accounts are
duly audited every year by a qualified Chartered Accountant
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