Sadguru Om Malati Mataji was one of the numerous gems from the cascade of Gurudev Swami Sivananda Ji Maharaj (Divine Life Society, Hrishikesh). She was born on 20th September 1923 in a small town called Miraj (Maharashtra State). Having lost her parents and close relatives at a very young age, she took over the responsibilities of the family. This led her to the realization that the one closet to us is the Supreme Being.

In 1956, she relocated to Delhi with her husband and children, bringing her close to Haridwar, at the foothills of Himalayas. During one of her pilgrimages to Haridwar, she proceeded to Hrishikesh and, by sheer coincidence, visited Swami Sivananda Ashram. As she came close to Gurudev Kutir (a place where Swami Sivananda lived), she heard a sound of “Omkara” by Swamiji himself. At that moment, the vibration of this divine experience inspired a feeling within her that she had found her guru and her spiritual journey began....

H H Swami Sivananda gifted her a self-authored book 'Triple Yoga' and insisted that she read it, which she did after returning home to Delhi. Curious to experience this new unknown path, she was inspired to sit for meditation.

An incident reveals the intensity of her spiritual practices.  In the year 1962, she wanted to get formal Mantra Diksha - initiation from Gurudev. On being produced before him, she bowed at his feet and entered into an extremely deep state of meditation. Later Gurudev asked "Why has she come here? She has already attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi”.

Just as the fragrance of a blooming flower sends an invitation to all, the aura of a self-realized master attracts the seeker. The ever-increasing numbers of spiritual seekers at her home made it impossible to address everyone's needs and hence, in the year 1991, her spiritual children sought her permission to build an ashram, the place she called Tapovan (a place of austerities).

She attained this while simultaneously performing her family duties with  utmost dexterity. In 1994, having fulfilled all her responsibilities, she renounced her home, relocated permanently to Tapovan, and started dedicating every moment for the  seekers.  

This place is dedicated to the cause of creating a universal spiritual home where there is no discrimination of caste, creed, sect or religion. The entire earth is one family - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

Vidvat Sanyasini, Om Sri Maa did not have expectations from the world. All she wanted was to forget differences and come together to experience ‘Divine Life’ in every moment of life.

|| Hari Om Tat Sat ||