Karar Ashram is located in the name named Swarga Dwar, in the district of Puri, in the state of Orissa, in Southeastern India. It is Kriya yoga teaching and meditation center that is most sought after and most frequented by seekers and guests in this particular state. The aim and objectives of this ashram is imparting instructions in Astronomy and Astrology, imparting instructions in scriptures and philosophy plus imparting training and practical instructions regarding God realization through Kriya Yoga. It is situated on the south-eastern sea-coast of India. It perfectly lies the holy land of Puri that is considered as the abode of the Lord of Universe, Lord Jagannath. It is one of the holy centers of pilgrimage of Hindus and one among the four Dhams. This city is visited by adherent devotees, pilgrims, visitors, tourists, savants, seers and saints from within the nation and abroad.

Origin of Karar Ashram

Priyanath Karar, the foremost monastic disciple of Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya who is regarded as the father of Kriya Yoga and the famous Karar Swami of Serampore of Bengal was attracted to this sacred land. In the last decades of the 19th Century, via the sea route, he came to Puri with intent of meeting the famous Oriya astronomer named Samanta Chandrasekhar. He wished to discuss certain aspects related to astronomical points but the meeting never happened. He returned to Puri in 1903 but Swamji already passed away. Once when he meditated on a sandy mound facing the sea in a contemplative mood, he felt a unique vibrations emanating from the spot. He experienced immediately the extremely potent spiritual. Then he decided to build an ashram at the same spot. He named the ashram as Karar Ashram and he was known as Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. It turned into the perfect place for dissemination of the original Kriya Yoga techniques of Shyamacharan Lahiri and Mahavatar Babaji.

Courses Offered at Karar Ashram

• The ashram conducts a full course in vedic, stellar, traditional and modern astrology. This particular class commences on 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month.

• There is a course related to Yogic interpretation of Bhagwad Geeta and Vedanta. This class is conducted on every Sundays in the ashram premises.

• A monthly and special prayer and meditation guided by the Acharya is conducted on the last Sunday of each month.

• A weekly satsang related to discourse on Bhagwad Geeta is conducted on Sundays

• The program of daily meditation guided by the Acharya is conducted in the meditation hall of this ashram.

Kriya Yoga of Karar Ashram

Karar Ashram welcomes participants for leaning and practicing Kriya yoga at its premises with keen interest and enthusiasm for gaining knowledge in it. It is to be highly noted that the authentic and original technique of Kriya Yoga are wholeheartedly taught to the perfect initiate by the authorized Acharya or instructor in a simple initiation methods and ceremony. In order to make it more interesting and exciting, the centre has its own methods, which is well organized and followed by one and all, who come here to learn yoga and to be the part of the yoga centre. It is to be remembered that the initiation is directly imparted into the initial Kriya technique. On the other hand, the higher or advanced techniques that are from 2nd to 6th Kriya are also perfectly imparted by the instructor or Acharya only to those particular disciples who in a successful manner complete the initial stages of the given program. Moreover, the spiritual development and personal interest of the disciple is completely assessed by the instructor or Acharya. At present, Swami Yogeswarananda Giri is the one and only authorized instructor Acharya of this particular Ashram in the lineage of Shyamacharan Lahiri, Mahavatar Babaji, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Paramahansa Hariharananda and Swami Satyananda Giri.

Benefits of Kriya yoga

• It helps in gaining access to unlimited power in any given situation and circumstances.

• It perfectly purifies the five sheaths or bodies.

• It largely assists in developing better concentration through controlled breathing techniques.

• It rightly helps in becoming flexible in personal and professional life, initially starting with the spine;

• It assists in connecting directly to "the inner sun" for self healing;

• It helps in bending forward into change and stress.

• It largely assists in removing different types of tension plus blockages in the joints;

• It assists in developing a strong and better nervous system.

• It really assists in learning to bend backwards, better digestion and let go waste things.

• It actually reverses depression or sadness in any given circumstances and situations.

• It helps to stand up, be much centered and act immediately and dynamically.

• It assists in developing deep, sound and restful sleep.

• It helps to overcome negative conditioning.

• It assists in mastering the art of perfect meditation;

• It largely uses the power of mudras (psycho-physical gestures) in order to change your normal life.

• By using Yoga-Nidra for Self awareness and to re-program your immediate future.

Facilities at Karar Ashram

Karar Ashram provides single room, shared twin rooms and dormitory accommodation for its inmates and lost list of guests within the ashram's premises. There are many VIP single rooms. It does have a camping space for conducting yoga and meditation related activities and programs with a lot of perfection. It is to be noted that with adjacent shared common bathrooms, the dormitories largely comprises of 4, 6, or 8 beds in its given blocks. With attached private toilet and bathroom are readily available for four shared twin rooms within the given floor of the building. It is to be highly remembered that married couples aren't allowed to share twin rooms during Intensive yoga and meditation Course. All the inmates are provided with two bed sheets, a pillow, and pillow case are for all accommodation and comfortable stay arrangements. The ashram has Safe Keeping room, Library and Telephone facilities. Normally the check-in time is 2pm plus Check-out time is just before 11am. On the other hand, tasty and simple vegetarian nutritious food is served hot twice a day. There are options of having fruit salads, fruit juices and snacks are readily available from kitchen counter that is situated within the ashram's premises. Inmates are highly advised to bring their basic necessary items. Drinking Water that is boiled plus filtered is available freely. Foreigners should necessary medication and vaccinations.

Rules and Regulations at Karar Ashram

There are certain rules and regulation given by the Karar Ashram authorities that need to be strictly followed in life and within the ashram's premises. The inmates should cooperate and coordinate with the ashrams instructors and other staffs in any given situations and circumstances. The inmates aren't allowed to move out of the ashram premises without the prior notice or information of the ashram authorities. They are to wear very simple and comfortable dress code within the ashram premises. They should use their phones in selected places and only at the specified time for making or receiving calls. Phones are not encouraged in the meditation or yoga halls and dinning halls. They should stick only to the prescribed diet and never indulge in less or over eating habits. They should take care of their personal health. They shouldn't indulge in smoking, drinking and eating non-vegetarian items. They shouldn't use any herbal medicine, drugs and other medication in the premises. They should strictly obey the instruction given by their instructors and ashram staffs plus follow it. All lights should be switched off after 10.30pm without fail. They should have a habit of getting up early in the morning for the initial meditation program with good interest and personal enthusiasm.