Groundbreaking and Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony Conducted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Sri Yogi Adityanath on May 11, 2025
We are pleased to share the good news that the site in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), where our beloved Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893 is now being developed into a sacred memorial shrine.
For several years, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) has actively sought to acquire the property and original house, which was privately owned. Several factors beyond our control prevented the fulfilment of this dream. It was only recently that the U.P. Tourism Department, under the guidance of Sri Yogi Adityanath, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, was able to overcome the long-pending hurdles, and acquire the property.
In collaboration with YSS, a plan has been developed to construct a beautiful memorial facility that will include a shrine room dedicated to Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, a museum, and a meditation hall. The shrine will be open to devotees and friends of our beloved Guru from around the world who wish to visit, pay their respects, and meditate at this sacred site. It will be a pilgrimage site worthy of the birth, life, and work of India’s divine Premavatar.
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 11, 2025, Sri Yogi Adityanath, along with Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/Self-Realization Fellowship Board Member Swami Vishwananda Giri, and YSS Board Members Swami Ishwarananda Giri and Swami Chaitanyananda Giri, participated in the groundbreaking and foundation stone laying ceremony at the blessed site. The function was attended by around 600 local Gorakhpur dignitaries, YSS devotees, and admirers of Gurudeva’s spiritual contribution to the world.
The original house was demolished as it had deteriorated beyond repair. The new memorial shrine will be built on the exact same site, incorporating some bricks from the original structure — imbued with Guruji’s sacred vibrations. Construction will begin immediately, with a projected completion date of around 18 months. We will share ongoing updates related to this blessed project on the YSS blog.
