_{welcOMe to your inner-Ashram}

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

for more detailed information about the Yatra to SwAr Ashram, see : FAQs : as well as : VISIT US : (linked above) to learn about Yoga at SwAr Ashram see innerEvolution

_{नर्मदे हर   NARMADE HAR!}

A MICRO-ASHRAM,perched upon the holy riverbank of Narmada, in a distant remote region known as the Nimar Valley in the small holy town of Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh.   Located in an ancient Fort,  SwAr Ashram was built by the beloved Queen Ahilya-bai, India’s Matriarch, nearly 300 years ago at the same time that she built the Gupt Kashi Vishvanath Mandir, just steps away on the same Ghat.

The premises was originally known as Ganapathy Dharmsala, as it is rooted on the Eastern-most side of the Narmada Ghat. Since the River is flowing East to West, it is the first structure to greet the Narmada flowing to the Fort’s Ghat, welcoming the River passing by as Ganapathy officially opens the path for any activity or movement.

This Ashram location, now named for Swami Ananatram, a humble Siddha Guru who settled at this idyllic riverside Ashram in 1983. It is also known on social media by an acronym SwAr, that means “sonic (sound) current’ alternately ‘heavens’. 

Situated at the edge of the ancient Fort, abutting jungle, is in partial ruins from a flood 100 years ago The Ashram had no electricity or running water as of that time Guruji Swami Anantram began his tenancy at the Heritage Trust. Slowly, his devotees brought power mains and basic outdoor water pipes. There are currently 3 teaching facilities, an open air Yoga Shala on the lower mandap deck over the River, an upper mandap deck is a classroom with desks and roof and the fully restored Library is on the upper level and 2 Mandirs, the original one for Ganesha on the lower level and one Interfaith Sarva Dharm Mandir on the upper level..  Swami-ji’s room is now the Kitchen, and Amma has the only other room as her office and private cell. A more complete restoration of the outer reaches of this Heritage property is pending funding and proper permissions.  

Swami Anantram’s last wish was to his resident Shishya, Niradhara Amma. to whom he instructed to build a Library for his Books on the upper level safe from floods. This was done in fall-winter 2012-13. As he knew his end of life was nearing, he founded the NGO Narmada Interfaith (NIWS) as a vehicle for Niradhara Amma to carry on his Library and its Teachings, to provide a foundation for offering charitable initiatives in Education, Female Upliftment, Yoga & Traditional Arts for the welfare of the neediest in the community. SwAr Ashram is surrounded by the families of street vendors, handloom weavers, farmers, day laborers and quiet a few widows and widowers who all Loved him. In his name, the Ashram is carried on.

The entire SwAr Ashram is enveloped by an enormous sacred Peepul Tree which was planted at the rear entrance at the time of its construction by Ahilya-bai herself. The surrounding riverbank is a grove of Neem Trees and Holy Ficus abundant all around. Traditional Jhopadi Menstrual Sanctuary Huts, protective safe-zones for the women of child-bearing age to get 4 days rest and rejuvenation during their Maasik Chakra Moon Days, would be nestled under a Sacred Peepul Tree (which gives off more oxygen than any other tree both night and day) with walls woven from fresh cut branches within groves of Neem Trees. The grove of Neem & the old massive Peepul Tree covering the entire SwAr Ashramexactly describes the environment of a Menstrual Sanctuary Hut.  It is believed that in the days of Ahilyabai, that it was Ganapathy Dharmsala, that not only Yatri-s but Menstruating Women would be sheltered in a natural hut built in the rear garden under the Peepul during the days when they would be advised to not visit the Temples. Women to this day gather for Peepul Puja at Amavasya.

(*photos: Women celebrate Amavasya at SwAr Ashram)

SwAr Ashram, managed by its NGO, is rooted in Interfaith, Inter-Spiritual ideals, a modern word for Advaita (non-dualism / all are One), promoting peace between religions, cultures & economies through charitable initiatives in education centered on inclusive Education in Yoga, as well as traditional Arts & English, with emphasis on Girl’s & Women’s Upliftment Advocacy.  11 years ago, SwAr Ashram’s Yogacharya Niradhara initiated monthly Maasik Chakra Shashaktikaran Yoga Camps to educate and support young Menstruators and their Mothers, Grandmothers, and Teachers with StRiimaya Yog Chikitsa.

INDIA IS A VAST, MULTI-LAYERED INTER-DIMENSIONAL LIBRARY.  Its ancient culture holds intelligence across the dimensions, even as shrouded in modern physical adaptations. SwAr Ashram is interested in People. Swami Anantram has left in our care, nearly 700 Advaitic, Yoga Vedantic, Theosophic, Tantric & Interfaith Texts.  These books are Maps of Human Consciousness. Yet, one need not search any rare books to access the living Traditions, Guruji Swami Anantram embodied the contents of a Living Library and Yogacharya Niradhara Amma was bequeathed this legacy.

THE SEEDS OF THIS IMMENSE INTELLIGENCE of ancient teachings, technologies & therapies are cultivated at SwAr Ashram, as the living tradition of Advaita Vedantic & Tantric Yoga.  You can certainly read many books. But this is not an ancient theory about how people used to live. SwAr Ashram endeavors to integrate Science with Spirituality to make the Teachings relevant for us today, in today’s rapidly developing world. Genuine, Authentic Esoteric Yoga is more relevant today than ever, however unknown amid the marketing frenzy of mis-leading ideas catagorically called Yoga in the West.

SwAr Ashram features Swami Anantram’s Library, and we LOVE books. At the end of reading, as the great Sage Patanjali has instructed, ‘close the book’.  Join with Life. Be in Yog.Swami Anantram left us a Library of over 700 Vedantic and Tantic texts. After indulging in some book-study, read this Living Library across the pages of faces that reside in the sea of Yoga’s Motherland. 1.4 billion Indian pairs of Indian eyes, Human interpretations of Divinity that live hand in hand across the subcontinent. All are welcome here, as there are no ‘others’. We are one tribe on this Jumbdveep.

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

Ashram life is from Hindu tradition, however, by Sanatana Dharma, at the root is Inter-connectedness of Faiths, SwAr Ashram embraces all and is managed by an Interfaith NGO, Narmada Interfaith.

there is a CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HOLY INDIAN PILGRIMAGE TOWNS & ASHRAM LIFE

This is a pure veg town as are all Pilgrimage Sites in India. Pure veg / vegan options are served at our Ashram. In addition to this, SwAr Ashram empowers the lifestyle of Yogi-s with guidelines & suggestions for Ashram guests, this is part of the Teaching of the Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics of Yoga. YACEP units are offered here to empower Yoga Teachers with this knowledge.

The hidden treasure of visiting SwAr Ashramis the unique opportunity to become immersed in a local lifestyle which has remained intact for thousands of years. If you are travelling from the West, you are likely to be one of only a handful of non-Indians in this remote place at any given time. Those enrolled in SwAr Ashram’s Coursesabout Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics participate in the Daily Yoga & Yajnya Program as part of the Teachings. There are special programs such as the innerYatra Esoteric Yoga Experiences, private immersion Library studies and Yog Chikitsa.

There is a significant Spiritual Bhav among these ancient stones where Saints & Sages walked for millenium. The River Ghat in front of SwAr Ashram is one of the most sacred & secret destinations for Hindu-s and the energy flow of these Yatri-s is palpable. As Yogi-s or aspirants on the spiritual path non-Hindu-s may also be sincere pilgrims.

To experience that Unity in Action, it is best to respect the cultures where you visit. You, who have the privilege of Travel Experience must take the lead in demonstrating your unity with the locals, who often have never seen a foreigner. If you show respect to the local culture first, they will in turn not fear, but respect you as well_.

_{BELOW slide gallery #1: the grounds & facilities of SwAr Ashram Campus, a nearly 300 year old Fort Structure which exists partly in ruins. Restoration of this Heritage property is Amma’s dearest wish, pending funding and proper permissions.  It is her home as a Sannyasini more than 12 years, where she continues to live the simple life, serve the local community and share the Yogic Teachings after Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi.}

_{when you VISIT Swar Ashram for support with your own sadhana WHEN YOU ARE IN INDIA, you also support local girl’s access to yoga & to continuing their education : contact AMMA.}

for more detailed information about the Yatra to SwAr Ashram, see : FAQs : as well as : VISIT US : (linked below) to learn about Yoga at SwAr Ashram see innerEvolution

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

_{below slide gallery #2: NIWS initiatives at SwAr Ashram. See our Gallery Page & the NGO Pages linked in the above paragraphs. This is the year-round work that is the heart of SwAr Ashram’s daily life between annual short seasons of visiting Yoga Students.}

^{_{there is a CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HOLY INDIAN PILGRIMAGE TOWNS & ASHRAM LIFE}}

If you have questions or concerns, _{best to communicate with Amma about this. She holds no judgement for or against Western lifestyle as she was also raised in the West and understands the perspective. However, she is bound by duty to see that Guests are informed during their Stay}.

_{below slide gallery #3: The Sadhana of Ashram Daily Program, Agnihotra, Guru Aarti, Dev Puja, as well as Holy Day Puja-s, Festivals, Yoga & Meditation. The knowledge and experience that you seek by coming here is embedded in the Vedic culture & lifestyle. What you gain from this immersion is valuable to Yogic Spiritual Perspective.}

Niradhara Amma is our Yoga Educator, the Resident Administrative Mother of SwAr Ashram and Managing Director of NIWS _{(Narmada Interfaith NGO) which Swami-ji founded for her charitable initiatives and maintenance of the Ashram. As Director of all of our Programs, she Creates & Produces the Daily & Special Programs as well as InnerYatra Retreats, Tours, Courses, Classes, Workshops, Yoga Therapy, Guest Teacher Events, YACEP, and Modules for Visiting Students.} CONTACT AMMA

In service to our community _{since 2007, Swami-ji invited Niradhara to live on this site as his only residential student. Amma Niradhara was appointed by Swami Anantram in 2012 to direct his NGO and manage his Ashram (SwAr Ashram).}

The initiation of SwAr Ashram opening to teach the Westernetd (as Narmada flows from East to West), sprang from the Guru-Shishya Parampara of Swami Anantram Guruji and  Amma Niradhara Acharya.  Amma is continuing his legacy as the Managing Director of NIWS and Spiritual Mother and Senior Acharya of SwAr Ashram._.

Acharya Niradhara Amma provides Advaitic Yoga Vedantic & Tantric Teachings, Tours, Technologies & Therapies, access to SwAr Library, as well as Hatha Yoga & Meditation classes to Visitors by donation and scheduled Registration based Events. These Yogic interactions with our Guest Visitors provide the income for SwAr Ashram’s managing NGO’s charities.  Amma’s provides Maasik Chakra Shashaktikaran Girl’s Yoga Camps, teaching Yoga for the Moon Cycle with health, safety & hygiene focus, distributing her own design of Cloth Menstrual Pads with educational book, sharing of a Menstruation video to promote Body Literacy and Maasik Chakra (Moon Cycle) Satsang to recognize this Sacred Time of the Month as a blessing, not a curse.

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

_{REGISTER to enroll in short or longer term courses at Swar Ashram Online or IN INDIA.}

THE ART & SCIENCE OF YOGA. Niradhara Amma LEARN MORE ABOUT visiting SwAr Ashram by the links below and …. FAQs…

• _{YOGA TEACHER or TRAVEL GUIDE}
• _{YOGA VOLUNTOURISM – BE A KARMA YOGI & LEARN MORE about our NGO….}
• innerYatra _{RETREATS &} innerYajnya _{WORKSHOPS at SwAr Ashram REGISTER or FIND OUT MORE….}
• innerEvolution _{Yoga & Yoga Therapy – INQUIRE}
• ༺🔥༻FREE –Live e-lesson (OFFERING FIRE TO THE SUN) & instant download Phyr-o-Sutras : printable e-book – PDF when you order ANY KUNDA KIT

_{below slide gallery #4: Visitors on InnerYatra (the inner journey) which contains innerEvolution (Esoteric Yoga to empower you to raise your Consciousness) and innerYajnya (intro to Vedic Agnihotra fire sadhana as a gratitude practice). Click above links to see more photos and details of events, courses, daily classes and events.}

_{VISIT Swar Ashram for support with your own sadhana WHEN YOU ARE IN INDIA. contact AMMA.}

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

_{•Traditional Hatha Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meditation, Agnihotra,  Yogic Philosophy•}

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

for more detailed information about the Yatra to SwAr Ashram, see : FAQs : as well as : VISIT US : (linked above) to learn about Yoga at SwAr Ashram see innerEvolution

YOGA SADHANA (regularly practiced) is a process of innerEvolution. Hatha Yoga is a Somatic process of integrating the Body-mind (Soul) & its Life Force Energy, Prana (Spirit) – experienced through relationship to Earth & connection to Breath  –  not simply poses. Pranayama & Meditation are the foundation of Yoga itself.  Development of a personal practice is offered.

“Here at SwAr Ashram we say we are BEing in Yoga – not DOing Yoga.“

• _{HATHA YOGA & MEDITATION class or private}
• _{YOGA THERAPYaddresses specific concerns of due to injury, illness, age, physical /emotional stress, C-PTSD, other health variables.}
• _{YOGIC PHILOSOPHY, ETHICS & LIFESTYLE, STUDIES and/or CULTURAL TOURS & EXPERIENCES & LIBRARY}
• _{YACEP & Profit sharing opps for RYTs.}
• _{INNEREVOLUTION • INNERYATRA • INNERYAJNYA}
• _{Contact Yoga SwaminiNiradhara Amma to guide you in person or online.}
• ༺🔥༻FREE –Live e-lesson (OFFERING FIRE TO THE SUN) & instant download Phyr-o-Sutras : printable e-book – PDF when you order ANY KUNDA KIT

MAP... FAQs…GALLERY…

_{SWAR ASHRAM IS AMMA’S HOME.  SHE LIVES VERY SIMPLY IN ONE 11FT SQUARE ROOM WHICH SERVES AS HER KITCHEN, OFFICE, SADHANA AND SLEEPING SPOT FOR HERSELF AND HER CANINE COMPANION. FOR ACCOMMODATION: WE DO NOT OWN ANY ROOMS.  YOU WILL STAY AT BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED HERITAGE LODGING VERY NEAR IN OUR SAME FORT. WE OFFER OUR GUESTS THE RIVER FRONT YOGA SHALA, MANDIRS, TEACHING FACILITY & LIBRARY IN A PICTURESQUE PRIMITIVE PARTIAL RUINS ON THE NARMADA GHAT.}

_{An Ashram is a vestige of ancient Vedic tradition. While many ‘ashrams’ have been constructed in this generation for the explosion of foreign tourism, that is not how it was done 1000’s of years ago or even less than 300 years ago when this Ashram was built. There was no air travel, and Indians have plenty of Guru-s who live within walking distance of their Students in every hometown. Therefore, these ancient homes of Spiritual Teachers & Saints were not built with rooms for guests. If anyone did travel to meet one of these Holy Ones, they would sleep on the floor outside of their Master’s room. And so, it is like this at SwAr Ashram, except local authorities now do not allow sleeping outside of hotels. Local people use the Ashram during the days as it is a Teaching Facility for Amma Niradhara, the Resident Teacher. Because we are cognizant of the trend towards Yoga Tourism, we have a lodging arrangement for those making this a destination visit for our Yoga offerings. Visiting an Ashram which is fully a part of rural India’s Traditional lifestyle and not modified as a hotel for Yoga students, requires a bit or pre-communication.}

When you register to stay with us for Yoga, you choose either a simple heritage room on Ashram Campus, or you may opt for staying inside the Gatehouse of our Fort Heritage Lodging.

VISIT US • KARMA YOGA • GUEST TEACHERS & KIRTANI-S • YOGA RETREATS • FAQS

नर्मदे हर   NARMADE HAR! ༺🔥༻ – is a regional greeting in and around the Narmada River route among locals, parikramavasi-s and tourists. When we say this we recognize the Divinity of Narmada in you.

༺🔥༻FREE –Live e-lesson (OFFERING FIRE TO THE SUN) & instant download Phyr-o-Sutras : printable e-book – PDF with a KUNDA KIT

नर्मदे हर   NARMADE HAR! ༺🔥༻ – is a regional greeting in and around the Narmada River route among locals, parikramavasi-s and tourists. When we say this we recognize the Divinity of Narmada in you.