The purpose
of Mai Ram Art Gallery
By purchasing works of Mai Ram Art Gallery, You are helping to build the Mai Ram Yoga ashram in India, Varanasi, a sacred city of Shiva, on the banks of Ganges river.
Varanasi is the most majestic tirtha for me. In Sanskrit, tirtha means a holy place, where divine power manifests. In this place, disciple finds a Teacher. In this place, after immersing into holy waters and performing worship as well as sacrificial rituals, the mind is cleansed and the knowing of existence manifests.
Guru Mai Ram
Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Varanasi
Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Varanasi is the place where the classical yogic teaching will be continued. Lord Shiva is the ruler and originator of yoga, the first yoga Guru, the one who announced the teaching of yoga. Varanasi is Shiva’s abode, so everyone who is seeking unity, can join and support the continuing tradition of ancient yogis. People from all over the world will be able to come to the ashram and pursue spiritual virtues, meditate, as well as learn classical yoga there.
Varanasi
is older than history
To quote Mark Twain, Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.
Varanasi is one of India’s seven holy cities. It is known as the city of Shiva, the abode of Shiva, the Lord of yoga.
Archeological research shows that this city dates back to 1800 years B.C.
Ancient scriptures of India state that the first Jyotirlinga of Shiva, the light form of the Lord, manifested here, in Varanasi, as an axis of light, the ray of which pierced the earth at this place and spread out all the way to the sky. For this reason, in the old times this city was called Kashi, “the City of Golden Divine Light”.
The scriptures describe Kashi as an eternal city of Lord Shiva that has existed through all past eras and will exist throughout the future. Lord Shiva, Ganges, or the Paradise River, and the holy city of Kashi create a perfect trinity.
Varanasi is a sacred city
Varanasi is a sacred city, which has maintained its ancient traditions. It is well known for many temples and cremation sites, as well as burial rituals. Each path of spiritual teachings, various groups of monks, spiritual teachers as well as religious institutions all have at least a center in the city. You will also find ashrams of various spiritual traditions, monasteries, religious hostels, guest houses, situated one next to another. It is said that to attain spiritual liberation, seeking to receive such mercy of Lord Shiva, all saints and sages must visit Varanasi.
Varanasi is a special place, as the holy river Ganges, from Himalayas moving constantly in the Southeast direction, here makes a turn backwards to the North, towards its source. Such change of direction suggests that Varanasi is the spirit-liberating location. So, millions of pilgrims visit Varanasi each year.
In Varanasi, like in no other place on earth, one may sense the breath of life and death, both at the same time. Walking down the stairs that are called ghats here, from the old town towards the sacred Ganges, and slowly strolling along the river, you can meditate and observe many occurrences of life and death.
Ashram on the banks of the Ganges River
Ashram is located on the banks of the Ganges River, at the Brahma ghat. In Sanskrit, Brahma means Creator. For millennia, Shiva is being glorified here continuously, every day, worship rituals are performed, people immerse themselves in the holy waters of the Ganges River and meditate on stone steps of the Brahma ghat.
Ghats are steps leading down to the Ganges River, a cascade ritualistic structure of stone, meant for ritualistic immersion. Ghats are the essential feature of the holy city, an important sacral location. In Varanasi city, ghats are located on the west bank of Ganges, between the mouths of Varuna and Asi rivers. This entire section is overlaid with ghats.
Brahma ghat has received its name based on the Brahmeswara Temple of Shiva, located there, and the image of Creator Brahma embossed into the stairs in the 13th century. The ghat contains two lines of steps, both made in accordance with archetypal principal. The line, leading to the Brahmeswara Temple of Shiva, has a platform every five steps. Number five symbolizes five elements of nature, ruled by Shiva, i. e. earth, water, fire, air and space. The line, leading to Brahma, is divided into parts of four steps and a platform. Number four symbolizes four mouths of Creator Brahma, i. e. four cardinal directions of the world and four sacral vedic scriptures. According to legends, when Creator Brahma was visiting Varanasi for the first time, he stayed at this ghat.
This ghat connects to a nearby ghat of goddess Durga. The steps of Durga ghat are also laid out archetypically – nine steps and a platform. Number nine symbolizes nine forms of Goddess Mother Durga. The temple of the second form, Brahmacharini Durga, is located exactly at the top of these stairs.
It is believed that Lord Shiva established Varanasi on our earth as a manifestation of deep and difficult to comprehend spiritual matters in material world. This city through all means is trying to reveal the Great Knowing, if you are ready for it…