About Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji
Have you ever heard of the ageless master of the Himalayas? Said to be thousands of years old yet appearing eternally youthful, he is revered as a divine guide and protector of humanity. Possessing extraordinary abilities, he can travel through thought alone, manifest objects from thin air, and remains in a youthful physical form, resembling a vibrant 25-year-old. Around him gather seasoned saints, monks, and seers, all seeking his wisdom.
The Upanishads offer a detailed map of spiritual evolution. A Siddha, or perfected soul, progresses from the state of jivanmukta—liberated while still alive—to paramukta, a being who has achieved complete liberation and mastery over death itself. Such a soul no longer needs to reincarnate and, if they do return, it is as an Avatar, a divine emissary on Earth. An Avatar is beyond the laws of nature, with a luminous body unbound by physical limitations.
Babaji Nagaraj is regarded as such a Himalayan sage—one who carries the torch of universal love and continues the sacred work of the Yoga Siddhas. His role in India has been to support spiritual leaders in their missions, earning him the title Mahavatar—the Great Avatar. Babaji is said to have initiated great spiritual figures like Adi Shankara and the poet-saint Kabir into Kriya Yoga. In more recent history, he reintroduced the lost practice to Lahiri Mahasaya in the 19th century. According to tradition, Babaji’s divine presence was even felt near the birthplace of Christ.
What One Receives from Babaji
The spiritual stature of the Himalayan Master, Babaji, lies far beyond the grasp of ordinary human understanding. Our limited perception cannot reach the heights of his divine consciousness. Attempting to fully comprehend or describe his elevated state would be in vain—it transcends imagination.
Yet, for those who sincerely meditate on the radiant presence of this immortal master, a transformation begins. Babaji’s divine light can awaken the intellect and infuse life with deeper clarity and purpose. Even the simple, heartfelt repetition of his name with devotion can attract his spiritual grace.
To truly walk the path of wisdom, one must seek guidance from a realized teacher—approach with humility, ask with genuine curiosity, and offer service. A self-realized master, having experienced ultimate truth, is uniquely capable of transmitting that wisdom to a sincere seeker.
Babaji's Ashram
GowriShankar Peeth – Babaji’s Sacred Retreat
GowriShankar Peeth is the revered ashram of Mahavatar Babaji, located in the Himalayan region near the holy town of Badrinath. Nestled amidst towering rock cliffs, the ashram is set in a secluded and serene landscape, where a row of natural caves lines the cliffs. The largest of these caves is said to be Babaji’s own dwelling.
Directly across from Babaji’s cave are two waterfalls—one larger, one smaller. The residents of the ashram, though few in number, live in quiet devotion. They bathe in the larger waterfall and use the smaller one as a source of drinking water.
A mysterious glow lights the area even at night, despite there being no visible source of illumination. Remarkably, no one can come within a mile of the ashram without Babaji’s inner approval. His presence governs the sanctity of the space, ensuring only those spiritually called are able to draw near.
Historical reference
The Timeless Presence of Babaji
Babaji, the Great Guru and Mahavatar, has intentionally left no historical records of his life. Throughout the ages, he has remained hidden from the public eye, choosing to carry out his divine mission away from the distractions of fame and recognition. Publicity has no role in the sacred design he follows, and like the Supreme Being, Babaji operates silently and humbly in the background of the world’s unfolding.
Babaji has declared that he will never relinquish his physical form. His body will continue to be visible—if only to a select few—as long as this world exists. Appointed by the Divine, Babaji is destined to remain in human form throughout the current cycle of creation. As countless ages pass and civilizations rise and fall, the Mahavatar stands untouched by death, bearing witness to the eternal play of life on Earth.
The Spiritual Shift During India’s Colonial Era
As the 19th century drew to a close and the 20th century began, India stood on the brink of gaining independence. Meanwhile, the rest of the world was undergoing rapid material advancement. Breakthroughs in science, communication, and transportation reshaped human priorities, steering focus heavily toward physical comfort and progress.
Amid this transformation, traditional values experienced a disruption. The revered saints, sages, and spiritual masters—who once closely guided the masses—gradually withdrew from public life. Their wisdom became accessible only to a select few who managed to remain untouched by the sweeping influence of new lifestyles and modernity.
Though India suffered the loss of immense material wealth and cultural treasures between the 12th and 19th centuries, it never lost its spiritual essence. The country continued to shine as a source of inner wisdom and enlightenment for the world. Since the arrival of Western traders—who later became rulers—there has been a growing fascination in the West with India’s deep philosophical and metaphysical traditions.
The Birth of Babaji
Babaji, known in his early years as Nagaraj, is believed to have been born in the year 562 B.C. during the Tamil month of Karthigai, under the astrological placement of the Moon in Karkataka Rashi (Cancer) at 14°48’. His birthplace is the small coastal town of Parangi Pettai—also known as Porto Novo—located near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, South India.
His parents, devout and spiritually inclined, named him Nagaraj, which translates to “King of Serpents.” His father served as a priest at a nearby Shiva temple (Shivan Koil), and young Nagaraj grew up surrounded by rituals, spiritual traditions, and temple festivals. These early experiences shaped his spiritual sensitivity and devotion.
Sacred Surroundings and Spiritual Influence
Parangi Pettai lies just 7 kilometers from Chidambaram, one of South India’s most revered pilgrimage centers. Chidambaram is symbolically connected to the element of Akasha (ether) and is home to the sacred Nataraja Temple, where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic dance. The name Chidambaram itself is derived from Chit Ambaram, meaning “consciousness-filled sky.”
This region also holds great significance as the place where the Siddha master Thirumoolar attained Soruba Samadhi, a state of deathless consciousness. As a child, Nagaraj visited Chidambaram often with his parents. These pilgrimages further nurtured his inner awakening and deepened his spiritual connection.
A Childhood Incident with a Deeper Message
When Nagaraj was around four or five years old, an event occurred that left a deep mark on his inner development. One day, after his mother brought home a jackfruit—his favorite—she asked him to watch over it while she stepped out. Unable to resist, Nagaraj ate the entire fruit. When his mother returned and discovered what had happened, she became furious and, in a moment of uncontrolled anger, shoved a cloth into his mouth, nearly suffocating him.
Despite the trauma, young Nagaraj forgave her completely. He saw the incident as a divine lesson in loving without attachment or expectation—an early glimpse into unconditional compassion.
Abduction and the Beginning of His Wandering Life
Around the age of five, while watching a religious gathering near the Shiva temple, Nagaraj was suddenly kidnapped by a man from Baluchistan. Struck by the child’s striking appearance, the abductor saw an opportunity to sell him as a slave. He took Nagaraj by boat, traveling over a thousand miles by sea—likely toward what is now Kolkata.
There, the child was sold to a wealthy man. Fortunately, the new owner, moved by compassion, soon set him free. Released from any familial or social obligations, Nagaraj was now completely untethered. He never returned to his home.
The Path of a Seeker
Embracing the life of a renunciate, Nagaraj joined a group of wandering ascetics. As a young sadhu, he immersed himself in the study of India’s ancient spiritual texts—the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita. He quickly became known for his intellectual brilliance and mastery of scripture, often engaging in philosophical debates with scholars from diverse schools of thought.
However, despite his scholarly reputation, Nagaraj sensed that knowledge alone could not lead to liberation. A growing inner dissatisfaction made it clear that real transformation required more than intellectual understanding. He longed for true enlightenment—but he had yet to find a Guru or a spiritual method to guide him toward the realization he sought.