Swami Chaitanyananda

Param Pujya Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati Ji is our Vidya Guru. He is a jnana yogi shishya of Swami Sivananda who lived in Uttarkashi from 1956 to 2003.

We are celebrating his centenary birth anniversary this year.

25 January, 2026
Centenary celebration at Swamiji’s birthplace.

12 July, 2026
Centenary program at Swamiji’s Gurusthan
Divine Life Society, Rishikesh

25 October – 8 November, 2026
Main centenary celebrations to be held at Sivananda Ashram, Uttarkashi.
This will serve as the principal centenary program and span multiple days.

A life dedicated to Vedanta, Sanskrit, Guru seva and the living Himalayan tradition of Brahma Vidya.

1926
Born in Andhra Pradesh

1947
Arrived at Ananda Kutir

1951
Received Sannyasa Deeksha

1960
Began teaching Vedanta

2003
Attained Maha Samadhi

Early life

A life turned towards the Guru

Param Pujya Vidya Guru Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj, the Vedanta Saint of Uttarkashi, was born a 100 years back on 8th November 1926 in Andhra Pradesh. A bright student proficient in many languages, he had a spiritual unfolding in his late teens which got him in touch with Swami Sivananda. After exchanging a few letters with Swamiji, he arrived in Rishikesh in 1947 at Ananda Kutir as it was then known and joined the Sivananda Ashram.

Sivananda Ashram

Service, Sanskrit and Vedanta

Swami Sivananda would eventually give him Sannyas Deeksha in 1951, and Keshav Reddy would become Swami Chaitanyananda. He took on many roles at Divine Life Society including being the Post Master of the Shivananda Nagar Post Office, head of Correspondence for Guruji and documenting ‘Day to Day with Sivananda’.

He had a great relationship and was held with great respect by his many Guru bhais – Swami Chidananda, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Satchitananda, Swami Satyananda and many others whom he recalls fondly in his autobiography.

While being at Sivananda Ashram, under the behest of Swami Sivananda, Swami Chaitanyananda Ji learnt Sanskrit and was soon able to speak and give speeches fluently. He started studying the Upanishads by going through Shankaracharya’s commentary. Whenever he had any doubts, they would be cleared in discussions with Tapovan Maharaj who then used to visit Rishikesh regularly.

Uttarkashi and Gangotri

Drawn to the Himalayas

After many years in Rishikesh, Swamiji traveled to Uttarkashi and Gangotri to take a break from his duties and to take care of his health. He initially stayed with a friend at Dandiwada, Ujeli. He and his friend were taking bhiksha at the kshetra and enjoying the time available to themself for study, contemplation and sadhana. He made a trip to Gangotri. At Gangotri, Swamiji had the fortune of studying Upanishads with Tapovan Maharaj ji. A trek to Gaumukh and Tapovan followed.

After returning back to Uttarkashi, he wrote to Swami Sivananda seeking permission to stay for longer.
Stay for as long as you want came back the handwritten reply by Swami Sivananda. 

Sewa in Uttarkashi

Sivananda Ashram Ujeli

In Uttarkashi, Swamiji initially stayed at Dandi Ashram, for sometime at Kailash Ashram and then moved to Somashram. Wherever he went he would involve himself in ashram activity and contribute to the environment he was in.

At Somashram Swamiji was growing vegetables which was much appreciated. He was also instrumental in many projects including building the retention wall on the road side which still stands strong after 2 failed attempts by the municipal corporation.

Swamiji was very adept at handling construction projects and was asked for help by many. One such is the repairing of the Laksheshwar Mahadev Temple. Swamiji would remain in Uttarkashi for 4 years before going back to Rishikesh. He was with Swami Sivananda again for 4 more years and would eventually move back to Uttarkashi for good.

As per the premonition Swami Sivananda had about this, and after being egged on by his peers, and with contributions from his gurubhai Swami Venkatesananda and Divine Life Society South Africa – a small ashram, Sivananda Ashram Ujeli was set up by Swami Chaitanyananda Ji. Few kutiyas were built along with a temple and a hall where Swamiji could take classes.

Vedanta teaching

A tradition of Brahma Vidya

Swami Chaitanyananda Ji started teaching Vedanta in 1960 and went on to teach for over 40 years. Initially at Somashram and later on in Sivananda Ashram, Ujeli which he established. He taught Brahma Sutra, Upanishads, Gita all with emphasis on Shankara Bhashya, the Prakarana Granthas – especially Panchadashi, and guided many serious aspirants to learn the Sanskrit language. Many of the current saints of Uttarkashi studied with Swami Chaitanyananda Ji and the tradition is kept alive now at Adi Shankara Brahmavidya Peeth, Somashram.

Bhashya Parayanam

A sacred tradition begins

Swami Chaitanyananda Ji’s shashtiabdapoorthi, 60th birthday was celebrated with his Gurubhais in 1986. Swami Vishnudevananda ji set up the bhandara for this celebration. Swamijis diamond Jubilee, 75th birthday was celebrated in 2001 with sadhus, devotees, friends and acquaintances in Uttarkashi. It was during this celebration that an important new tradition was initiated. Bhashya Parayanam. During Swamiji’s birthday the Shankara Bhashya of the entire Prasthanatrayi was chanted. This tradition would go on to be institutionalised as Bhagavat Pada Bhakta Mandali which would do Bhashya Parayanam at various places across India, at least once every year.

Maha Samadhi

A legacy carried forward

Swamiji’s body would go on to live till 77. He attained Maha Samadhi on 30th August 2003 and was given Jalasamadhi at the Ganga in Uttarkashi.

He has left behind a legacy which is being carried forward by all of us at Adi Shankara Brahmavidya Peeth.

We owe much to our Vidya Guru
Pujya Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj.