About Achala
About Achala Ashram
Our purpose
Why the ashram exists
Achala Ashram exists to help people grow spiritually, find inner peace, and follow the quiet pull toward self-understanding that most of us feel but rarely have time for. Alongside that, we try to raise compassion — the wish to serve others simply out of kindness, without asking for anything back.
The teaching we follow, Achala Siddhantha, is deliberately secular and non-monastic in spirit — open to householders, not just renunciates, and free of preconditions or demands for allegiance. Read more about what sets it apart →
Our history
How the ashram began
Bhramasri Dr. Seetharamaiah Swamiji was a disciple of Sri Venkatarya Sadhguru. After formal training under his Guru’s guidance, he mastered all the schools of philosophy and served him with great devotion. He authored his Guru’s biography in Kannada, Achala Guru Venkatarya Jeevana Charitrae, incorporating within it all the salient aspects of the Siddhantha.
He served as founder Secretary of Achala Seva Samaj, registered in 1966, and attained Parama Pada on 18 July 1968.
Two years after the Samaj’s founding, in 1968, Guru Matha Jayadevarya established Achala Ashram itself.
Guru Matha Jayadevarya carried forward the Achala Guru Parampara that the ashram continues to follow today. She attained Maha Samadhi on 31 October 1988, and since then the lineage has been carried forward by the present Achala Guru, Brahmasri Dr. Gururaj Guruji.
Their work together laid the two foundations the ashram still rests on: an organisation to carry the mission forward, and a physical home where the teaching could be given directly, in person, to anyone who came looking for it. What began as a small gathering has since grown into the network of branches described later on this page, though the original commitment — to keep the teaching personal and freely accessible — has never changed.
How we are run
A registered, non-profit institution
Achala Ashram operates as a non-profit spiritual organisation, managed by the Achala Guru Jayadevarya Seva Samaj — a society registered under the Karnataka Societies Act, 1960.
The ashram teaches ancient yogic methods, adapted carefully for people living ordinary modern lives, addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being together. This guidance is still given personally by Brahmasri Dr. Gururaj Guruji.
Registration keeps the ashram’s activities transparent and accountable, run for the benefit of its community rather than any private interest. It also means the ashram does not depend on any one person to continue — the Samaj itself carries the responsibility of keeping the teaching, the temple, and the daily services running for the long term.
Meet the Guru ParamparaWhat we offer
Four ways the ashram serves its community
Philosophy
The Achala Siddhantha itself — taught through discourse, texts, and direct conversation with the Guru.
Practice
Yoga, pranayama, and a sequence of meditation initiations taught step by step under personal guidance.
Community
Satsang gatherings that keep seekers in good company and in regular contact with the Guru.
Service
Free education, Annadāna during poojas and Arādhanas, and a Temple-cum-Meditation Centre serving seekers in Hindupur.
In the world
Service and Community Initiatives
The Ashram is committed to serving the local community through education, spiritual activities, and social welfare initiatives.
Education
The Ashram runs a school on its premises with a mission to provide quality and affordable education to children from economically disadvantaged families in the surrounding area. Students who are unable to afford the school fees are supported through the Achala Education Fund, enabling them to continue their education with dignity and opportunity.
Annadāna
During important Ashram poojas and Arādhanas, Annadāna (free distribution of food) is organised for devotees, General Public and visitors. This service is supported by the Ashram Annadāna Fund, through which devotees and well-wishers contribute towards this noble initiative.
Temple and Meditation Centre
The Ashram also maintains a Temple-cum-Meditation Centre at its branch in Hindupur, providing a space for worship, meditation, spiritual practice, and satsang for seekers in the region.