About Swamiji

Pujya Swami Anandaji Maharaj was born into a respected Brahmin family in Odisha on 18th April 1950. Swamiji was educated at renowned institutions, and his parents had plans to send him abroad for higher studies. However, at the age of nineteen, while studying at a university in Delhi, Swamiji experienced a strong dispassion for the world and an intense yearning to uncover life’s deeper meaning. Driven by this inner calling, he left his studies and wandered across India, searching for something that would fulfil his heart. During his search, Swamiji was guided by divine providence to a small hermitage on the sands of Puri along the eastern coast of India. There, Swamiji was blessed to encounter the most venerable Master—the Holy Mother of Dibyadham, Maa Bhabamayee Paramahansa. At that time, Swamiji harboured a desire to go to the Himalayas to meet a spiritual Master. In one of his early meetings with the Holy Mother, he expressed this wish. The Mother responded with words that deeply impacted him:

“But wherever you go, will you not take your mind with you? If your mind is not at peace and in harmony, you will carry your state of confusion with you, wherever you go”.

These words of profound truth shook Swamiji to his core. Humbled and feeling helpless, he pleaded for the Mother’s help. This marked the beginning of the sacred and intimate Guru-disciple relationship. Swamiji took initiation from the Mother and began intense sadhana under Her close guidance. Through the Guru’s divine grace, he was soon blessed with profound and wonderful spiritual experiences and deep meditation, which led him along the path of Self-realisation.
In 1986, during the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar, Swamiji received sannyasa initiation, leaving behind his old self and becoming Swami Ananda. Following the Holy Mother’s revered instructions, Swamiji dedicated himself to guiding seekers of Truth. To fulfil his Master’s wishes, he travelled to Europe, Japan, and Chile, offering enlightening talks and personal guidance to those searching for deeper meaning in life. He helped people understand the real aim of human life and taught ways to discover one’s Self—the source of light and joy within. Swamiji’s soul-touching messages, rooted in his Guru’s teachings and his own spiritual experiences, have inspired numerous individuals to embark on the spiritual path.
His guidance has transformed the lives of many across the globe who have practised and followed the ways shown by the Holy Mother and Swamiji. Swamiji has served as the President of Dibyadham Yogashram since the Holy Mother returned to Her divine abode in May 2002.
He continues to uphold and embody his Master’s teachings and ideals as a living tradition, steadfastly guiding seekers on the spiritual path.