Sidhbari Kutiya | Chinmaya Archives

A focal point of Sidhbari, Pujya Gurudev’s Kutiya holds deep meaning for devotees and spiritual seekers. In this section, we present important artefacts and images from that revered abode of the renowned Master.

As we mindfully “walk” through Gurudev’s Kutiya, let us invoke His Presence that inspires and transforms the very way we view the different parts of the home that call out “Hari Om!”

Doors to the Kutiya and the Meditation Room

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The front door to Pujya Gurudev’s Kutiya, where everyone was welcome, was built in traditional Kerala style.

The screen door in front of the Kerala-styled ornate front door to Pujya Gurudev’s Kutiya

Inside Gurudev's bedroom, another door opens to the steps to His meditation room - a place of deep silence and spiritual power.

Visitors’ Room in Sidhbari

The visitors’ room - an ambience of spiritual beauty with artefacts of worldwide love and admiration

A stone sculpture of Lord Nataraja depicting His cosmic dance

A beautiful and auspicious reminder on the wall - “Shivoham”

An intricate wood carving of Ma Saraswati - the Goddess of Learning

The Gayatri Mantra printed - to chant and frame into our lives daily

A token of appreciation awarded to Pujya Gurudev on the occasion of the 1st Asia-Pacific Hindu Conference, 1st – 3rd April, 1988 – The 71-year-old Swami delivered the keynote address to 500 delegates from 16 countries calling for the revitalization of Hinduism.

An artefact of Prema-Bhakti - Divine Love of Radha for Bhagavan Krishna, surrounded by Gopis

An artefact of Prema-Bhakti - Divine Love of Radha for Bhagavan Krishna

Where Pujya Gurudev was, Gitopadesha will be!

The chair that wheeled Pujya Gurudev around the ashram - He was the Power behind the wheels.

An excerpt from a poetic welcome felicitation in Tamil for Pujya Gurudev: “All stones cannot be rubies. All rivers cannot be the Ganga. All bows cannot be Arjuna’s Gandiva. All words cannot be as special as Chinmayananda’s words….”

A prototype of the idol of Sidhbari Hanumanji is displayed in Gurudev’s Kutiya.

Pujya Gurudev’s Bedroom

Pujya Gurudev’s bedroom - where sleep was meditation, Samadhi-sthiti

Pujya Gurudev's bed - next to it a picture of Swami Tapovanam Maharaj meets Pujya Gurudev’s rising gaze every morning. Few steps away is His work desk.

A picture of Parama Guru Swami Tapovanam on a corner shelf met Pujya Gurudev’s rising gaze every morning.

Pujya Gurudev’s saffron clothes and the graceful winter robes in His wardrobe - memories of His majestic personality

A flask, flashlight, and water utensils met Pujya Gurudev’s simple needs.

A prototype in panchadhatu of Pujya Gurudev located across the entrance to Gurudev’s bedroom

Library Space

Pujya Gurudev’s Library - A place of varied learning and single-pointed contemplation

Centrally placed, the painting of Parama Guru Swami Tapovanam turns the library into a place of contemplation and deep gratitude for the Chinmaya Guru Parampara.

A bookcase filled with neatly labeled videotapes of tennis tournaments that Pujya Gurudev loved to watch while recuperating from His major health setbacks

A bookshelf enshrined books on Vedic literature: Introductory Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, Puranas, Itihasas; original works of Hinduism as well as books on Western religion and philosophy.

The emblem of Gitopadesha crowns the library shelves, symbolic of the Supreme Knowledge above every other learning.

More books on an incredible array of topics - from the secular to the spiritual

This bookcase displays the personal books of Pujya Gurudev and His own published works along with copies of souvenirs and magazines from around the world.

Office area and desk

Pujya Gurudev’s office was His temple, and His desk was His altar. This was the place of Worldwide Spiritual Connection through His treasured letters.

One of Pujya Gurudev’s spectacles - from behind this, His Lotus Eyes could gaze into one’s soul!

A sample of Pujya Gurudev’s stationery with His Chinmaya Tapovan Trust letterhead.

A side desk held more stationery, and His briefcase stood ready to fly with Him around the world!

Satsang Hall/Sitting and Dining Rooms

Becoming the satsang hall within the kutiya, the sitting room now with Gurudev’s chair and His silver padukas is open to visitors to feel the Presence of Pujya Gurudev and the power of Parama Guru Swami Tapovanam.

Pujya Gurudev with a look of thoughtful abandon on the swing in His sitting room

Pujya Gurudev in deep Dhyana in the sitting room of His kutiya

Watchful, and ever at ease - Pujya Gurudev resting in His kutiya

The sitting room with Gurudev’s chair and His silver padukas is open to visitors to feel the Presence of Pujya Gurudev and the power of Parama Guru Swami Tapovanam.

While recuperating in Sidhbari after some setbacks in His health, Pujya Gurudev used to watch tennis matches on this TV. Though suffering, he would entertain all with His Vedantic commentary on these tennis matches.

During winters at Sidhbari, Gurudev kept warm with this fireplace; the chimney brush he used kept the fireplace tidy in return.

Where Pujya Gurudev lounged in his earlier years as He watched the ashram take shape

Artefacts

Pujya Gurudev preserved the Kamandalu of His teacher, Parama Guru, Sri Tapovan Maharaj. He brought these precious artefacts with much reverence from Uttarkashi to Sidhbari. The Kamandalu marks the minimalistic ascetic life and is used to carry and store water.

One of Pujya Gurudev’s spectacles - from behind this, His Lotus Eyes could gaze into one’s soul!

His shoes, soles for the Soul - ready to take the Master around the globe!

This majestic idol of Lord Ganesha gifted by a loyal devotee graced many yajnashalas and occupies a special place in Gurudev's Kutiya.

A grateful address of welcome addressed to Pujya Gurudev in 1984 by Chinmaya Mission Trivandrum

Unto Pujya Gurudev: A beautiful Sanskrit tribute offered with grateful reverence by the citizens of Bombay (Read the English translation in the next image)

Unto Pujya Gurudev: A dynamic torchbearer and a shining symbol of India's age-old but ever-fresh spiritual heritage... English translation of the Sanskrit tribute offered with grateful reverence by the citizens of Bombay