About

Inspired by Swami Satchidananda’s interfaith vision, the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine was built in Yogaville in 1986. LOTUS celebrates the unity behind the diversity of the world faiths. Open to people of all faiths to meditate and pray, this shrine utilizes the universal symbol of light as a symbol of the Divine. It was the first shrine built to house altars for every major faith, faiths less well-known and those not yet known. For in depth information including video clips, a virtual tour and much more please visit the official LOTUS website at LOTUS.org

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Swami Satchidananda passed on August 19, 2002. As is customary in the Indian tradition, his body was interred according to traditional Vedic rituals inside Chidambaram, the Mahasamadhi Shrine. In accordance with Swami Satchidananda’s wishes, the ceremonies were conducted by a revered priest from the Perur Temple in his native South India.

Swami Satchidananda often spoke about the yogic tradition, the enduring relationship between student and teacher and the many misunderstandings about this. He explained, “The real Guru is always with you as the Spirit within you, the Awareness. That Consciousness in you, in me, in everybody is the same. It is the Guru, the one that guides you, the one that enlightens you. As such, there is a Guru in everybody.”

We understand the spiritual teacher to be the catalyst that helps us to access this wisdom within ourselves. They are a luminous beacon of transmission of a tradition and its teachings and their vibration continues to emanate even after their passing, which is what many experience in visiting Chidambaram. Chidambaram is open daily for prayer and meditation. Special intentions and prayer requests are offered at the daily service every morning.

The magnificent Lord Siva Nataraja Shrine is situated at a lovely hilltop location overlooking the LOTUS Shrine, with a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Dedicated in 1991, the site is known as “Kailash,” named after the holy abode of Lord Siva in the Himalayas.

The seven-foot tall bronze Murti, or sacred statue, that is installed within the Shrine was generously donated to the Ashram by Dr. Karan Singh and his wife, Princess Yasho. Dr. Singh is the son of the last Maharaja of Kashmir, a former member of the Indian Parliament, former Indian Ambassador to the United States and a well-known scholar and public servant.

Lord Siva Nataraja, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance, dances with a flaming halo symbolizing the Pranava OM or universal intelligence/energy. He “dances,” or rotates, every six hours for approximately ten minutes, at 12 noon, 6 p.m.,12 midnight, and 6 a.m. The Murti is enclosed by glass on all sides.

At the feet of Lord Nataraja sits a beautiful Lingam (the universal symbol of Lord Siva) with smaller Murtis of Nandishwara Deva (Sri Nandi), Sri Ganesha, Sri Subramanyam (Lord Muruga), and Sri Sivakami Mata.

Adjacent to the Shrine are additional enclosures housing marble Murtis of Sri Ganesha, Lord Siva, Sri Krishna, and Sri Durga (Parashakti). These welcoming deities were created in Jaipur, India and installed here in 1993.

Puja (Hindu ritual worship) is performed daily inside the sanctum, generally at 11:45 a.m. On Pradosham (Lord Siva’s special holy day), puja is performed at dusk instead. The sanctum is open only during pujas. Please check with the Ashram for exact timing and any timing changes.

Dedicated on July 16, 1989, Guru Bhavan serves as the primary meditation hall at the Ashram. Located on the central area of the grounds, a meditation session is held at 5:00 am, followed by another session at 6:20 am. At 12 noon, Guru Bhavan serves as one of the three venues for silent meditation, along with LOTUS and Chidambaram. In the evening, there is a session held at 6:00 pm. Guru Bhavan is also utilized for spiritual initiations, ordinations, graduations and memorial services.

The hall is lined with display cabinets containing information and mementos relating to the life and service of Swami Satchidananda, including gifts presented to him from students around the world and hand-crafted items. On the walls at the back of the hall are some of the many awards presented to Swami Satchidananda honoring his dedicated service to humanity.

Sivananda Hall is named after Sri Swami Sivananda, the Guru of Sri Swami Satchidananda. Since its dedication on March 12, 1986, the hall has been used for multiple purposes including serving as the venue for our weekly spiritual gathering, known as “satsang,” which features: kirtan (chanting), a DVD of Swami Satchidananda, a spiritual discourse by a teacher and closing prayers for world peace. Sivananda Hall also serves as a venue for special events.