Gaganananda Mission
Preserving Ancient Wisdom, Promoting Selfless Service, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth
Our Mission
On February 18, 2011, Yogi Ravindranath ji (Swami Gaganananda) founded the Gaganananda Mission as a cultural NGO in Rishikesh with a noble vision of establishing five fundamental principles that guide all our activities:
- SANATANA - Ancient Knowledge
- SANSKRUTI - Ancient Culture
- SWASTYA - Ancient Wellness
- SADHANA - Ancient Spiritual Practice
- SEVA - Ancient Selfless Service
The mission operates primarily from the Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, located 4 km away from Lord Ram's temple, where all five pillars are actively practiced and shared with devotees and the community.
Yoga Shakti Peetham is a registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization (EIN: 41-2836272). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The Five Pillars of Gaganananda Mission
SANATANA (Ancient Knowledge)
As a Rig-Vedic scholar, Yogi Ravindranath ji worships Mother Nature and its five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. His core vision is to reach Non-duality beyond sensory perception.
During his meditation in Himalayan caves, he realized Lord Mahakaal (God of Time, Disease & Death), which led to the establishment of the stone temple of Mahakaal in Ayodhya. The mission believes in and practices Vedic virtues such as honesty, non-violence, truthfulness, purity, goodwill, mercy, patience, forbearance, self-restraint, generosity, and asceticism.
Through SANATANA, we preserve the timeless wisdom of the Vedas and guide seekers toward ultimate truth.
SANSKRUTI (Ancient Culture)
Yogi Ravindranath ji aims to preserve, promote, and practice ancient sciences, culture, and arts. Social equanimity through ancient culture is his primary principle of worldly life.
The mission trains disciples in fine arts including Classical Music & Dance, Yoga, Sports, and other traditional practices. Disciples are encouraged to adopt ancient culture to control their desires and awaken their inner spiritual energies.
At the Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple premises, cultural activities and training are provided for all who seek to connect with these ancient traditions.
Through SANSKRUTI, we keep alive the rich cultural heritage of Sanatana Dharma.
SWASTYA (Ancient Wellness)
Being an Ayurveda and Naturopathy healer, Yogi Ravindranath ji heals body diseases through ancient Vedic techniques. He is a master in using the five elements of Mother Nature for healing: earth, water, fire, air, and space.
Yogi Ravindranath ji believes that health is true wealth. He teaches that proper breath and diet can balance the mind and extend human life. Through Yoga therapy, Music therapy, Ayurveda Panchakarma therapy, and Mantra therapies, he heals the sick and rejuvenates the old.
The herbal water poured on the Lord Mahakaal idol while chanting Vedic mantras acts as healing water for many devotees and cures several diseases.
Through SWASTYA, we promote holistic health and well-being using ancient healing wisdom.
SADHANA (Ancient Spiritual Practice)
Yogi Ravindranath ji did meditation in the caves of Himalayan mountains for several years and practiced internal Sadhana as per the directions of his Guru, His Holiness Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.
Sadhana is a true asset that helps progress spiritual awakening and self-realization. Yogi Ravindranath ji teaches that one should know inner practices to control the senses and mind to reach the goal of realizing Lord Mahakaal.
Sadhana offers a pathway to inner transformation, empowering individuals to cultivate virtues such as compassion, humility, and selflessness.
Through SADHANA, we guide seekers on the path of spiritual evolution and self-realization.
SEVA (Ancient Selfless Service)
Yogi Ravindranath ji's unconditional love and devotion towards humanity is his true character towards society. He believes that selfless service transcends any individual beyond mere acts of charity, encompassing a deep sense of empathy and compassion.
Seva serves as a powerful tool for personal transformation, societal progress, and spiritual awakening. At Ayodhya, the mission offers charity through five procedures of services, each designed to serve different aspects of human need and community welfare.
Through SEVA, we manifest love and compassion in action, serving all beings with unconditional devotion.
The Five Seva Services at Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple
At the Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, the Gaganananda Mission offers five essential services to the community, all provided free of charge, as expressions of selfless love and service.
ANNA SEVA (Free Food Service)
At Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, Yogi Ravindranath ji is committed to distributing free food to visiting devotees. He considers Annadanam as not just about providing food; it is a profound act of love, compassion, and service that nourishes the body, mind, and soul.
He believes Annadanam has the power to transform lives, fostering a culture of abundance, generosity, and compassion for all beings. As we embrace the sacred practice of Annadanam, we are guided by the timeless wisdom that in giving, we receive, and in serving others, we uplift humanity as a whole.
Free Food Distribution: Available to all devotees visiting the Mahakaal Temple in Ayodhya.
JALA SEVA (Free Water Service)
At Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, Yogi Ravindranath ji provides free drinking water as a tangible solution to address the pressing needs of the public. He says, "Jala Seva becomes a sacred ritual, a gesture of gratitude and reverence for the blessings of nature, fostering a deeper connection with the divine presence that resides within and around us."
Providing free drinking water is more than just quenching thirst; it is a sacred offering of love, care, and reverence for all life. In Ayodhya, Jala Seva serves as a lifeline for the community, offering physical refreshment, mental clarity, and spiritual renewal.
Free Drinking Water: Available to all visitors at the temple premises.
VIDYA SEVA (Free Education Service)
At Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, Yogi Ravindranath ji aims to establish a Vedic School where not only Vedic education but also modern training in English, Computer skills, Personality development, Non-Formal education, and Women Empowerment programs are offered to students without any discrimination.
After completion of courses, career and employment opportunities are guided to eligible students. Yogi Ravindranath ji believes that education serves as a gateway to a brighter future, economic & social stability. By equipping individuals with knowledge, skills, and resources, education reduces inequalities and enhances overall well-being.
Free Education: Vedic studies, modern skills, and empowerment programs for all.
VAIDYA SEVA (Free Health Service)
At Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, Yogi Ravindranath ji provides free healthcare as a selfless act of love and care that extends beyond physical ailments to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.
Healthcare addresses the most fundamental aspect of human existence: physical well-being. After the herbal waters of abhishekam are poured on the temple's powerful Lord Mahakaal idol, they become energized as a healing factor, which is offered to sick people at no cost.
Yogi Ravindranath ji says, by offering healthcare to suffering people, individuals embody the timeless values of compassion, empathy, and selflessness. This Mahakaal stone temple becomes a sanctuary of healing, where the divine presence is felt in every act of care and kindness. Providing healthcare is not just about treating physical ailments; it is about honoring the sacredness of life and affirming the interconnectedness of all beings.
Free Healthcare: Healing water and Ayurvedic treatments available to all.
PRAKRUTI SEVA (Environmental Protection Service)
At Ayodhya Mahakaal Temple, Yogi Ravindranath ji offers nature's five elements to Lord Mahakaal regularly. Nature is considered as mother; therefore, respecting and worshipping nature gives energy to living beings.
He believes that Mother Nature is a true factor in influencing an individual's physical, mental, and social life. Growing and nurturing nature brings peace within and in the surroundings. Therefore, the mission is dedicated to cleaning and protecting Earth, Water, and Air.
Through environmental protection, the mission ensures that the natural elements remain pure and beneficial for all beings, honoring the sacred connection between humanity and nature.
Environmental Protection: Dedicated to preserving and protecting our natural environment.
Join Us in Service
The Gaganananda Mission welcomes all who wish to participate in preserving ancient wisdom, promoting selfless service, and nurturing spiritual growth. Whether through visiting the temple, participating in seva activities, or supporting our initiatives, every contribution helps us serve the community and honor the timeless traditions of Sanatana Dharma.
Visit Us
The Mahakaal Temple in Ayodhya (4 km from Lord Ram's temple) is open to all devotees. Experience the divine presence, participate in our seva activities, and connect with the ancient wisdom and practices that the mission preserves and promotes.