Hindu devotees visit Parmarth Ashram in Rishikesh

Thousands of people gather for Pujya Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerthji's satsang during International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Ashram in Rishikesh.

A Shankaracharya is a title used for the heads of matha (monasteries) in the Advaita tradition. Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerthji is the 11th successor of the Bhanpura Holy Peeth. He was born in Nagaland, India.

Shankaracharyaji is revered for his profound and deep commentaries on the Holy Scriptures. At the age of 27, he had a desire to understand the mysteries behind life and death. To gain awareness, he renounced home and moved from one place to another to meet saints and imbibe related knowledge. He was initiated into ‘sanyas’ by His Holiness Harishwaranand Teerthji at Chitrakot.

In 1989, Swami Divyanand Teerthji was installed as Shankaracharya of Bhanpura. After becoming the Shankaracharya, he dedicated his life to enhance the value of human lives and to spread the principles of Sanatan Dharma. Shankaracharyaji travels within India and around the world to spread his teachings and the message of universal brotherhood, love and righteousness.

This year we present a truly International Yoga Festival grounded in the authentic origin of Yoga. Practise and learn from masters from the Traditional Yoga Lineages from India, as well as masters of International well known yoga schools & styles. During this one-week Festival, you will have the opportunity to participate in over 60 hours of Yoga classes from world-class Yoga teachers practicing multiple styles of Yoga including Kundalini Yoga, Power Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Kriya Yoga.

The participants will also be blessed with the presence, satsang and divine words of revered saints and spiritual masters from within India, including H.H. Pujya Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerthji, H.H. Pujya Swami Dayanandaji, H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, H.H. Pujya Swami Ramdevji, H.H. Dr. Pranav Pandyaji, H.H. Pujya Mooji,, H.H. Radhanath Swamiji and H.H