Pranavananda

Sw. Prem Arun

Located in the beautiful, serene and peaceful Kolli Hills, in South India, is the ashram of Pranavananda Brahmendra Avadutta Swamigal (Swamiji). The ashram is 1160m above sea level and is isolated from human civilization—surrounded instead by the wondrous beauty of the unspoiled Indian landscape. The closest village is 3km away, hidden behind a nearby hill. Residents and visitors to the ashram are very careful to protect their natural surroundings. No littering, picking flowers, breaking branches, spitting, shouting or smoking are permitted.

The ashram was founded by Swamiji and it is surrounded by places that hold deep significance for him. The samadhi (resting place) of Swayamprakash Brahmendra Avaduth Swamigal is located nearby. Fifteen kilometers away in the village of Nerur is the samadhi of Sadashiva Bramendra Avaduth Swamigal. Both men were practitioners of Avadutha Digambara (sacred nudity).

Born in France, Swamiji has spent the past 30 years in India. In 1988 received sannyas dhiksha (initiation) from Vedananda Swamigal at the instructions of his Guru Sarveswara Swamigal. After receiving a vision of Lord Shiva during meditation, Swamiji set out in search of a location to build an ashram. Once he found the beautiful location in Southern India, he built his hermitage and temple to Lord Shiva.

Swamiji lives at the ashram where he offers service to the local communities and practices various tapas, including the Avadutha Digambara. Though the ashram has no phone, it does have a satellite internet connection. Swamiji maintains several very well designed websites to assist in the outreach of his work. He also uses the internet to keep in touch with his sannyasins around the world as well as being available as a spiritual advisor to anyone through live internet chat.

The Ashram site is: http://www.aumnamahshivaya.org

Swamiji’s Shiva Lovers’ portal is: http://www.shivaquest.org