(Sravana, Manana and Nididhyasana)
situated near Tirukoilur and within the spiritual aura of Arunachala.
Inspired by the importance given by Sadguru Gnanananda to Adhyatma Vidya or “Knowledge of the Self” and his loving care of those devoted to Self-enquiry, and with the view to continue the tradition, the Charitable Trust Sri Gnanananda Niketan was constituted in 1986 with Paramapujya Swami Vidyananda Giri as Chairman.
It is exclusively dedicated to the service of the Vedantic tradition, open to all sannyasins and nishkincanas (those who have renounced everything and own nothing as their own) irrespective of caste, creed, gender or nationality and who are devoted to the path of Self-enquiry in the light of Vedanta and Sri Sankara Bhashya. The Trust provides shelter, food, library, medical care etc for the residents.
It is exclusively dedicated to the service of the Vedantic tradition, open to all sannyasins and nishkincanas (those who have renounced everything and own nothing as their own) irrespective of caste, creed, gender or nationality and who are devoted to the path of Self-enquiry in the light of Vedanta and Sri Sankara Bhashya. The Trust provides shelter, food, library, medical care etc for the residents.
The constitution of Sri Gnanananda Niketan
After the Mahasamadhi of Sadguru Gnanananda in 1974, and on the initiative of some of His respectable and close devotees, a Religious Trust, “Sadguru Swami Sri Gnanananda Giri Memorial Trust” was constituted in 1975 with Paramapujya Swami Mukundananda Saraswati as the Founder. Its main purpose is to carry on the religious activities at the Ashram temple besides constructing the Shrine of Grace over the Samadhi of Sadguru Gnanananda, Mahamandapa, etc.
Ten years later, the same respectable devotees who were instrumental in constituting the Memorial Trust, like Justice P. Ramakrishnan I.C.S (Retd.), Sri T. L. Viswanatha Iyer, Sri K. Sivavadivel Odayar (who was then the President of the Memorial Trust) and others including Paramapujya Swami Vidyananda Giri, felt that there was an urgent necessity to constitute a separate and totally independent Charitable Trust. It would be exclusively devoted to a few important aspects on which Sadguru Gnanananda laid special emphasis - such as Vedanta classes for Sannyasins and other spiritual seekers from India and abroad; provision of facilities for them such as secluded place for their residence, special food arrangements, library etc.; and, publications about the teachings of Sadguru Gnanananda and Vedanta.
It was their firm view that such a Trust would be best managed by Sannyasins themselves. The model of Sri Gangadhareswar Trust of Pujyasri Dayananda Saraswati at Rishikesh was, therefore, adopted for this purpose.
Thus, the Charitable Trust Sri Gnanananda Niketan was constituted on 24th April 1986, the sacred Chitra Poornima day. The endeavour was fully blessed by Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
As requested by the founders of the Trust, Swami Vidyananda Giri, who was blessed by Sadguru Gnanananda Himself as the Vedanta Acharya of the ashram, became the Chairman of this Trust and swami Nityananda Giri the Managing Trustee.
Swami Nityananda Giri came to Thapovanam on 1971 and had been accepted and trained by Sadguru Gnanananda as a Brahmachari eligible for sannyasa. He was affectionaly called by the Sage as "Yogi Swami". He was initiated into Sannyasa by Swami Vidyananda Giri in 1975. When Sri Gnanananda Niketan Trust was constituted in 1986, he was requested by Swami Vidyananda Giri to be the Managing Trustee.
As Yogi Swami, Swami Nityananda Giri had the privilege of collecting and editing the teachings of Sadguru Gnanananda, under the direct guidance of the Sage, it was published with the tittle of Gnana Inba Veli. Together with the Sannyasins of the Ashram, he played an important role in constituting the Memorial Trust and rendered valuable service in organising the regular worship of Sri Gnananandeswara Mahalinga at the Samadhi shrine and of Sadguru's Sila Vigraha at Mani Mandapa, besides the annual Aradhana festival. He helped the Trustees in managing the affairs of the Ashram for number of years and later was also a Trustee and the Secretary of the Ashram Trusts for sometime.
Swami Nityananda Giri secured the financial assistance from Government of India for various sections of the Ashram's Veda Agama Patasala. He also obtained the exemption of the Ashram from Hindu Religious Endowment Board. Swami Nityananda Giri and Justice Sri P. Ramakrishnan were responsible for organizing the Kattalai scheme (endowment) for Pada Pooja, Mani Mandapa Pooja etc., at the Ashram.
It is to be mentioned here that Swami Nityananda Giri is presently the senior most Sannyasin in the lineage of Sadguru Gnanananda.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan Objectives and Activities
The activities of Sri Gnanananda Niketan since it was constituted twenty seven years ago, have helped in no small measure to spread the name and fame of Sadguru Gnanananda, whose central teaching is pure Vedanta.
It is to be pointed out here that the activities of the Memorial Trust and also G Thapovanam Sri Gnanananda Trust are entirely different from those of Sri Gnanananda Niketan. The nature of the constitution of Sri Gnanananda Niketan Trust is also different.
The Religious Trust, Sri Gnanananda Memorial Trust is entirely dedicated to the devotional and religious activities, constituting the Bhakti Marga in Pravritti dhrarma which gives chitta suddhi (purity of heart) for the devotees. On the other hand, Sri Gnanananda Niketan is intended mainly for study of Vedanta, contemplation and a life of sadhana for traditional Sannyasins and advanced spiritual aspirants. This is called Jnana Yoga in Nivritti dharma. It is to be emphasized that Sadguru Gnanananda’s teaching covers the entire spectrum of Sanatana Dharma, including both, Pravritti and Nivritti dharma.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan is devoted to serve the tradition of Brahmavidya and Atma Vichara. It is rendering valuable service to Sadgurudev, a Brahmanishtha and to all other Sages who are Witnesses to the Upanishadic tradition. It was constituted and has developed only by Sadguru's limitless grace and blessings.
It is situated on the southern side of the state highway, about 200 mts west of Ashram temple and Gnanapuri cottages. It is to be specially noted that it does not undertake any religious activity.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan receives support not only from devotees of Sadguru Gnanananda who are devoted to the institution of Sannyasa but also from other spiritual aspirants in India and abroad who are interested in preserving Brahma Vidya tradition, in Vedanta and contemplation.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan Objectives and Activities
The activities of Sri Gnanananda Niketan since it was constituted twenty seven years ago, have helped in no small measure to spread the name and fame of Sadguru Gnanananda, whose central teaching is pure Vedanta.
It is to be pointed out here that the activities of the Memorial Trust and also G Thapovanam Sri Gnanananda Trust are entirely different from those of Sri Gnanananda Niketan. The nature of the constitution of Sri Gnanananda Niketan Trust is also different.
The Religious Trust, Sri Gnanananda Memorial Trust is entirely dedicated to the devotional and religious activities, constituting the Bhakti Marga in Pravritti dhrarma which gives chitta suddhi (purity of heart) for the devotees. On the other hand, Sri Gnanananda Niketan is intended mainly for study of Vedanta, contemplation and a life of sadhana for traditional Sannyasins and advanced spiritual aspirants. This is called Jnana Yoga in Nivritti dharma. It is to be emphasized that Sadguru Gnanananda’s teaching covers the entire spectrum of Sanatana Dharma, including both, Pravritti and Nivritti dharma.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan is devoted to serve the tradition of Brahmavidya and Atma Vichara. It is rendering valuable service to Sadgurudev, a Brahmanishtha and to all other Sages who are Witnesses to the Upanishadic tradition. It was constituted and has developed only by Sadguru's limitless grace and blessings.
It is situated on the southern side of the state highway, about 200 mts west of Ashram temple and Gnanapuri cottages. It is to be specially noted that it does not undertake any religious activity.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan receives support not only from devotees of Sadguru Gnanananda who are devoted to the institution of Sannyasa but also from other spiritual aspirants in India and abroad who are interested in preserving Brahma Vidya tradition, in Vedanta and contemplation.
