Who is Mahavatar Babaji?
Mahavatar Babaji is a bygone Yogi (Kriya Yoga ) who lives in the northern state of Uttarakhand in the Himalaya. It is said to have an immortal spiritual soul. He comes to light in the world after the launch of a book “Autobiography of a Yogi” written by Paramhansa Yogananda. As cited clearly in that book, Babaji is a divine incarnation (avatar) who have profounded the KriyaYoga, an elevated technic of breathing is called pranayama in order to enhance spiritual perceptions. According to the book “Autobiography of a Yogi” Mahavtar Babaji taught Kriya Yoga first time to Lahiri Mahasaya at Dronagiri Mountain in the year 1861, now, it is located in the Ranikhet town, in the state of Uttarakhand, 60 km away from Kausani.
It is claimed that Lahiri Mahasaya had a job in the Military during British rule in the Department of Engineering in Danapur, when he got transferred to Uttarakhand in the Ranikhet town. While staying at Ranikhet he was wondering in the Mountains of Dronagiri, Unexpectedly, when he reached a cave, as he entered the cave just for curiosity, found there Mahavtar Babaji, then Babaji first time gave a teaching on Kriya Yoga to Lahiri Mahasaya. Since then this cave becomes very popular as a pilgrimage among the followers, now this cave is famous as “Babaji’s Cave” or Mahavtar Babaji’s Cave in the world.
As per the narration of the book, Babaji has been lived in the physical form for millennia. It is said that the northern Himalayan mountains near Sri Badrinath Ji ( a Hindu Temple ) are supposed to be blessed by the Mahavtar Babaji, where Babaji is still living and his presence can be felt there at Sri Badrinath Temple, which is 300 km far from the Rishikesh ( World Yoga Capital city ). The Temple of Sri Badrinath was built by the Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 10 century A.D.
According to the Book “Autobiography of a Yogi” Babaji pointed to Lahiri Mahasaya, to spread the science of meditation “ Kriya Yoga “ to the world because, in the present scientific age, people have better understating to receive spiritual wisdom. The talks between Lahiri Mahasaya & Mahavtar Babji were to make available the secret of the science of Kriya Yoga to every common man, which is mentioned emphatically in Yogananda’s Autobiography.
Lahiri Mahasaya mentioned in his daybook that Mahavatar Babaji is Lord Krishna. Paramahansa Yogananda used to do prayers often by citing ‘Babaji Krishna’ loudly. There are 2 disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda mentioned that they also said that Mahavatar Babaji was Krishna during in his earlier life.
It is also said that the Babaji taught Kriya Yoga to Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to Sri Badrinarayan Temple at Badrinath.
Kriya Yoga
According to an “Autobiography of a Yogi”, was composed by Yogananda, is considered to be the most scientific an instrument to perceive the highest goal of Yoga, is known as Self-Realization. Self-Realization is the highest form of awareness in knowing body, mind, and soul, it allows to happen the realizations of the god within, then you will not be any more in the possession of the kingdom of God, no more need to do rituals, rites, prayer, God comes to you & make you realize it.
What is Kriya Yoga?
Kriya Yoga is a scientific & a much-evolved technique of breathing “ Pranayama “ for spiritual realizations that were taught by enlightened Yogi, Mahavatar Babaji thousand years ago in the mountains of Dronagiri, Himalaya. Kriya Yoga is a part of the bygone and much effective science & technic of Raja Yoga, which is cited by sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and by Krishna in the Mahabharata, which appears in the sacred book Bhagavad Gita. Kriya literally means action which functions by granting the total control over the life force to the seeker. By the means of life force control totally, a yogi gets tremendous ability to cop up all the obstacles which prevent an association with the divine forces.
How to be a Kriya Yoga practitioner?
If you would like to learn the method of Kriya yoga, firstly you need to develop a regular daily practice to mediate and the yogic stretching to enhance your spiritual perception through body and mind. And then the next step you can include the lesion of Kriya Yoga is to discipline the whole system of breathing to unify the body mind & soul then, normally requires 9 months to 12 months with daily practice.
About Cave
The cave gives a high spiritually evolved ambiance to sit down comfortably and allows you to practice the Kriya Yoga meditation.
The cave is well furnished, has proper ventilation and quite spacious to house about 8 people at a time, the seeker can sit comfortably and meditate. The practice of meditation inside the cave gives a boost to your energy and helps you to deplete all the negatives accumulated energy, detoxify the whole physical system to attain the highest goal of Yoga and also you get the blessing of Mahavtar Baba who lived in this cave for thousands of years. The vibes in the cave give you solace in Babaji.
Location of Mahavtar Babaji Caves
Mahavtar Babaji cave is perched in the midst of Dronagiri Mountains, Himalaya near Ranikhet. You need to go first Ranikhet from Delhi, then Dwarhat, which is at a distance of 35 km from Ranikhet. And, then after you have to reach Kukuchina, which is 15 km away from Dwarhat, Kukuchina is a part of Dronagiri Mountains. From bus stand of Kukuchina, You have to trek about 4 kilometers to reach Mahavtar Babaji Cave, also known as Pandukholi, while visiting Kukuchina, you can visit the Ashrams of Garg Rishi and Sukhdev Rishi are situated on the Kukuchina Road.
How to Reach Mahavtar Babaji Cave
Option 1
Delhi to Ranikhet – 400 km ( Motorable Road)
Ranikhet to Dwarhat – 35 Km ( Motorable Road)
Dwarhat to Kukuchina- 20 km ( Motorable Road)
Kukuchina to Mahavtar Babaji Cave- 4 km (Moderate Trek)
Option 2
Delhi to Rishikesh – 250 km ( Motorable Road )
Rishikesh to Nandprayag- 200 km ( Motorable Road)
Nandprayag to Dawarhat – 120 km ( Motorable Road)
Dwarhat to Kukuchina- 20 km ( Motorable Road)
Kukuchina to Mahavtar Babaji Cave- 4 km (Moderate Trek)
Legend of Kukuchina
The Pandukholi literally stands for shelter, where the Pandavas (legendary Kings of Mahabharata Epic) took shelter when they went for an exile of 14 years. It is said that they found this place desolate and remote for their secret exile “Agyatvas”.
When the Pandavas (legendary kings) were struggling to maintain their secrecy of exile as per the agreement, but the Kauravas (enemies) were searching them to expose in the same Dronagiri mountain, Kauravas anyhow managed to reach a point, and from that point, they had lost their hope and went back, since then, the place is known as Kukuchina ( Kauravchina). Hence, this place was named ‘ Kauravchina’ which in the course of time, pronunciation got slightly change, now is called ‘Kukuchina’.
