Visit to a Kriya Village

Banabira (Hero’s Forest)

Orissa, India
February 1st, 2008

By Gurudev Baba Hariharananda’s grace, we had the blessing to see his work in progress through the saintly guidance of Rajarshi Raghabanandaji in a remote village in the Indian state of Orissa. The village’s name denotes the godly work done here on earth by a “Divine Hero”, our beloved Raghabanandaji, Gurudev’s twin soul.

Rajarshi Raghabananda

We could observe how his seva is in perfect alignment with Gurudev’s and God’s will. A perfect expression of love, which flows in all directions, from guru to disciples and from disciples to guru.

Guru is revered as God in human form

Banabira is the only Kriya Village in the world, where Raghabanandaji has been nurturing a Kriya community since 1986. There one can breathe peace and calmness and observe the villagers living a very poor and simple life, yet immersed in an extraordinary state of consciousness and happiness. Out of 1,400 villagers, an outstanding two thirds are kriyavans! In every home there is an altar dedicated to Gurudev Baba Hariharananda…

Nurturing life and love

There is so much devotion to God, Baba and Raghabanandaji and so much faith in Kriya Yoga, that since 2002 the village kriyavans have been building out of their own meagre resources a beautiful ashram. The place is a little heaven on earth, full of flowers, fruit trees, and bird songs. Only love can be felt in all directions, inviting you to dive deep into cosmic and God consciousness. Nearby is a beautiful pond on which banks sits a peaceful little Shiva temple.

Heaven on earth...

Thank you God, Paramahansa Hariharanandaji, Rajarshi Raghabanandaji and Swami Sarveshwaranandaji for allowing us to be a useful instrument of your divine deeds.

Love, love, love…….

Rafael