Constitution and Founder's Vision
More than six decades ago, Sadguru Gnanananda Giri Maharaj, a Mahayogi and Gnanasiddha coming in the lineage of Jyotir Mutt, (the northern spiritual seat established by Sri Adi Sankaracharya), settled down in a quiet spot on the northern bank of the river, South Pennar in Tamil Nadu. It was the concluding phase of a long life of glorious spiritual ministry as a Paramahamsa Parivrajaka Acharya, an itinerant Sannyasin teacher, par excellence. Gradually, an ashram, Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam grew around His Presence. In the early stages of its development, sannyasins were the main residents of Thapovanam besides some bachelors, retired house-holders and few others working in the offices in Tirukovilur town, who were permitted to stay as residents and render service. In course of time, a temple was built for their worship like poojas, bhajans etc. Devotees from outside began to come in larger number to have darsan of Swamiji and attend His satsang.
Sadguru Gnanananda initiated disciples into Sannyasa in a traditional manner and encouraged them into the study of Vedanta, guiding them in their sadhana towards their spiritual growth. His teaching was pure Vedanta, the timeless message of the Upanishads.
Sadguru Gnanananda appreciated the necessity for providing a secluded atmosphere where the Sannyasins could study and meditate. It was with this purpose, that he established in 1969, the ashram at Yercaud called "Sri Gnanananda Pranava Nilayam", a centre for contemplation on the Atman, the Turiya, the Ardhamatra of OM the Pranava, as the name itself indicates. He was anxious that his monastic disciples should not be disturbed by the increasing crowds of devotees who were coming to Thapovanam. This ashram in the hill station provides a fine environment in which they could pursue their specialized sadhana. "Sri Gnanananda Pranava Nilayam" was directly under the control of Sadgurudev as it concerns the personal life, discipline, study and contemplation of Sannyasins. However, it could not take off as aged Sonnyasins of the ashram could not withstand the cold weather at the hill station.
In 1972 Sadguru Gnanananda constituted a Charitable Trust, G.Thapovanam Sri Gnanananda Trust to take care of the charitable activities of the ashram
After the Mahasamadhi of Sadguru Gnanananda in January 1974, on the initiative of His very respectable and close devotees such as Justice Sri P. Ramakrishnan I.C.S. (retd.), Sri K. Sivavadivel Odayar, Sri T.K. Lakshmana Iyer, Justice Sri T.L. Viswanatha lyer, Sri V. Ramanujachari and others, a religious trust, "Sadguru Swami Gnanananda Giri Memorial Trust" was constituted in 1975 with Paramapujya Swami Mukundananda Saraswati as the Founder. Its main purpose was to carry on the religious activities at the ashram besides constructing the Shrine of Grace over the Samadhi of Sadguru Gnanananda, Mahamandapa, etc.
Ten years later, in 1985, the same devotees who took the initiative to constitute the Memorial Trust, immensely satisfied with its functioning, realised that they had yet to provide for proper facilities to take adequate care of Sannyasins and spiritual seekers. Sadgurudev called Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam an "Adhyatma Vidyalaya" and was particular that the Sannyasins should be devoted to keen study of Vedanta and contemplation, it was felt that the tradition established by Sadguru should be continued.
This vision of Sadguru Gnanananda for Pranava Nilayam was very much in the mind of those senior devotees who constituted the Memorial Trust. Hence, they felt that there was an urgent need to constitute a separate and totally independent Charitable Trust. The new trust would be exclusively devoted to a few important aspects on which Sadguru Gnanananda laid special emphasis such as Vedanta classes for Sannyasins and other spiritual seekers from India and abroad; provision of facilities for them such as secluded place for their residence, special food arrangements, library, etc.; respect for the institution of Sannyasa and publications of Vedanta works and the teachings of Sadguru Gnanananda.
Inspired by the model of Sri Gnanananda Pranava Nilayam established by Sadgurudev at Yercaud and the importance given by him to Adhyatma Vidya or "Knowledge of the Self" and His loving care of those devoted to Self-enquiry and with the view to continue the tradition, the senior devotees of Sadguru Gnanananda constituted the Charitable Trust, Sri Gnanananda Niketan on 24th April 1986, Chitra Poornima day. It was their firm view that such a trust would be best managed by Sannyasins themselves, assisted by other trustees who are dedicated to the service to Sannyasins and Adhyatma Vidya.
With the activities of the religious trust representing the "Pravritti Marga" (Karma & Bhakti Yoga) and the Charitable Trust, Sri Gnanananda Niketan serving those in "Nivritti Marga" (Gnana Yoga), the vision of Sri Gnanananda of his ashram, Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam would be fulfilled.
The endeavor was fully blessed by Paramapujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati and he was a patron trustee of the trust.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan is exclusively dedicated to the service of the Vedantic tradition, open to all Sannyasins and renunciates Irrespective of caste, creed, gender or nationality and who are devoted to the path of Self-enquiry in the light of Prasthanatraya and Sri Sankara Bhashya. It is supported by those Interested in Vedantic and monastic tradition, living in India and abroad.
Sri Gnanananda Niketan is exclusively dedicated to the service of the Vedantic tradition, open to all Sannyasins and renunciates Irrespective of caste, creed, gender or nationality and who are devoted to the path of Self-enquiry in the light of Prasthanatraya and Sri Sankara Bhashya. It is supported by those Interested in Vedantic and monastic tradition, living in India and abroad.
As requested by the founders of the trust, Swami Vidyananda Giri, the direct disciple of Sadguru Gnanarianda who was blessed by Sadguru Gnanananda Himself as the Vedanta Acharya of the ashram, became the President of the trust. Swami Nityananda Giri was named as managing trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Swami Nityananda Gin is presently the senior most Sannyasin in the lineage of Sadguru Gnanananda and is well versed in Vedanta, having received the direct guidance from Sadguru Gnanananda and studied under Swami Vidyananda Giri, He had the privilege to compile the teachings of the great sage, "Gnana Inba Veli" under His personal direction. He is keenly interested in mysticism and is well known in inter-religious dialogue. He has travelled widely lecturing on Vedanta and yoga.
The vision of Sadguru Gnanananda for Sannyasins and other advanced spiritual seekers is reflected in the objectives and services provided by Sri Gnanananda Niketan, a Sadhana Kendra. Sadguru Gnanananda was keen that the monastic lineage or parampara should continue. The facilities offered by the Kendra would attract Sannyasins and keen aspirants for initiation into Sannyasa. It would thus help preserve the monastic tradition of the ashram.
Swami Nityananda Gin is presently the senior most Sannyasin in the lineage of Sadguru Gnanananda and is well versed in Vedanta, having received the direct guidance from Sadguru Gnanananda and studied under Swami Vidyananda Giri, He had the privilege to compile the teachings of the great sage, "Gnana Inba Veli" under His personal direction. He is keenly interested in mysticism and is well known in inter-religious dialogue. He has travelled widely lecturing on Vedanta and yoga.
The vision of Sadguru Gnanananda for Sannyasins and other advanced spiritual seekers is reflected in the objectives and services provided by Sri Gnanananda Niketan, a Sadhana Kendra. Sadguru Gnanananda was keen that the monastic lineage or parampara should continue. The facilities offered by the Kendra would attract Sannyasins and keen aspirants for initiation into Sannyasa. It would thus help preserve the monastic tradition of the ashram.
He told Swami Abhishiktananda:
"Come back and be near me. We shall tolk again, Above all, you will have time for silent meditation. No one will disturb you. You will not have to worry about food or anything like that. Apart from our conversations, you will remain in silence."
This is indeed the call of Sri Gnanananda to His monastic disciples and spiritual aspirants to Thapovanam for all time. It will be through this Centre it would be heard by them.