Whenever anyone utters with reverence the name of Babaji, that devotee attracts an instant spiritual blessing.
— Lahiri Mahasaya in Autobiography of a Yogi
The ancient science of Kriya Yoga, lost to the world for centuries, was revived in the 19th century by the deathless avatar, Mahavatar Babaji, as shared by Paramahansa Yogananda in his Autobiography of a Yogi. By initiating his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, Babaji reconnected humanity to a spiritual lineage that traces back to Bhagavan Krishna and was practised by Patanjali, among other spiritual masters.
On July 25, 1920, shortly before Paramahansa Yogananda was to embark on his journey to America in order to take the Kriya Yoga teachings to the West, he sat deeply praying in his Calcutta home for divine assurance regarding the mission he was about to undertake. Mahavatar Babaji appeared to him and said: “Follow the behest of your guru and go to America. Fear not; you shall be protected. You are the one I have chosen to spread the message of Kriya Yoga in the West.”
This momentous meeting between Babaji and Yoganandaji is commemorated by YSS/SRF devotees every year as Mahavatar Babaji Smriti Divas.
We welcome you to join us as we celebrate this sacred occasion in July with the following programmes:
Upcoming Special Discourses
The Deathless Kriya Yoga Guru: Mahavatar Babaji
Who is Mahavatar Babaji, the mysterious yogi mentioned in Autobiography of a Yogi, the world-renowned spiritual classic written by Paramahansa Yogananda? Introduced as a deathless master who dwells in the northern Himalayan crags near Badrinarayan, Babaji is described as a Mahavatar (great avatar), a divine incarnation, who has completely escaped the cycle of rebirth and has maintained a radiant, youthful physical form for millennia for the spiritual upliftment of humanity. Those who met Babaji say that his nature is pure love, and humility is his hallmark. Just uttering his holy name with reverence is said to attract an instant blessing.
We invite you to learn more about Mahavatar Babaji in discourses given by sannyasis of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) in English, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu.
Through these discourses, discover how Kriya Yoga, the sacred, scientific technique of God-realization was transmitted through an unbroken guru-disciple lineage — passing from Babaji to Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, and finally to Paramahansa Yogananda, who was personally commissioned by Babaji in 1920 to bring these teachings to the West.
These discourses will be available for viewing soon. Please check this webpage closer to the date of the event.
Special Commemorative Event
Online Commemorative Meditation
Saturday, July 25, 2026
6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. (IST)
On July 25, a special online meditation to honour Mahavatar Babaji will be conducted in Hindi by a YSS sannyasi. It will include chanting, meditation, and inspirational reading.
Please note: This event will be available for viewing till Sunday, July 26, 10 p.m. (IST).
In-person Events
Special in-person programmes honouring Mahavatar Babaji will also be conducted at the YSS ashrams, kendras, and mandalis. To learn more and participate in one of these events, please contact a meditation centre near you.
On this sacred occasion, devotees express their gratitude for the blessings of the Kriya Yoga path brought to us by the YSS/SRF line of gurus by offering pranami. If you wish to contribute to the YSS work of bringing these soul-liberating teachings to sincere seekers, we invite you to do so at the link shared below.
