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Paramahansa Yogananda Jayanti 2025 – Birth Anniversary

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Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) was an Indian yogi and spiritual teacher who introduced millions of people to the ancient practice of meditation and the philosophy of Yoga in the West. His Jayanti or birth anniversary is annually held on January 5. In 2025, it is the 131st birth anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda. Here's a short biography of his life:

Early Life: Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, in the northern part of India. His birth name was Mukunda Lal Ghosh. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in spiritual matters and a strong inclination towards meditation.

Spiritual Quest: In his teenage years, Yogananda became a disciple of the revered spiritual teacher Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. He spent many years in intense spiritual practice, seeking to attain the highest states of consciousness.

Initiation into the Sannyasa: In 1915, Yogananda took formal vows as a monk and became Swami Yogananda Giri. He established the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917, with the aim of disseminating the teachings of Kriya Yoga, a spiritual technique he learned from his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar.

Mission to the West: In 1920, Yogananda was invited to the United States to speak at the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. He decided to stay in the U.S. to share the teachings of Yoga and meditation with Western audiences. His mission was to promote the unity of the world's great religions and to teach practical techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God.

Autobiography of a Yogi: In 1946, Yogananda published his seminal work, "Autobiography of a Yogi," which became a classic and has been widely read around the world. The book has inspired countless individuals on their spiritual journeys.

Establishment of Self-Realization Fellowship: In 1920, Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in Los Angeles, California. SRF became the organizational vehicle for disseminating his teachings and preserving the integrity of the Kriya Yoga tradition.

Legacy: Yogananda's teachings emphasize the universality of religious truths and the practical methods of attaining direct personal experience of God through Kriya Yoga. He passed away on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. Despite his physical departure, his teachings continue to influence spiritual seekers worldwide, and the institutions he founded, like SRF, carry on his mission.