Ashram

In the 1980s, Babaji inspired his students to establish ashrams and centers around the world to spread his teachings and live by them. He asked Bhuri, one of his first Dutch students, to open a small temple in her home in Amsterdam, where the Aarti was chanted weekly.

Later, Muniraji, one of Babaji’s early disciples, encouraged Pujari to work with a group of Dutch people to establish an ashram in the Netherlands. After an extensive search, a suitable location with building was found in 1991 in Loenen near Apeldoorn. The Haidakhandi Samaj Foundation was founded, and a group of about thirty Dutch devotees enthusiastically started to prepare the ashram. In 1992, Muniraji came to Loenen together with Vishnu Datt Shastriji (a Vedic scholar and spokesperson for Babaji) to officially inaugurate the site. The ashram was named ‘Sadashiva Dham’: Place of the Eternal Shiva.

Aarti and Havan

Aarti

Every morning and evening, the Aarti is performed in the temple. This is a ceremony meant to illuminate our consciousness through connection with the Divine. It supports the purification of the heart and mind and brings renewed energy.

The texts that are chanted are mantras and prayers in Sanskrit and Hindi. Booklets with translations are available so that everyone can read or sing along.

You don’t need any prior knowledge of Babaji to join.

Havan | Vedic fire ceremony

Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, the day begins with a havan (Vedic fire ceremony).

During the havan, traditional mantras are recited and grains, flowers, and more are offered. According to ancient traditions, God is especially close in the fire.

A Vedic fire ceremony helps to connect with the subtle forces of nature and has a beneficial influence on the surroundings. Participating in it fosters a deep connection with the Divine — and with ourselves.

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Through the havan ceremony people are offered all the good fortune and joys of life: it allows them to think good thoughts about each other and to feel love for each other. The smoke from the havan’s fire destroys the harmful bacteria in the atmosphere while letting the good ones thrive. In that way there is growing prosperity and abundance in the world.
Before you start on any task you should first be clear about its meaning. Perhaps you wonder why these people light a fire and then waste items of food by throwing them into the flames. But I tell you that this fire is of great significance: this is where creation began.
Babaji

Om Namah Shivay

Babaji encouraged the continuous repetition of God’s Name. You can repeat the Name silently in your heart or chant it aloud, whatever you are doing. You may use any Name that is dear to you. Om Namah Shivay was recommended by Babaji as the Maha Mantra, the great mantra for this age.
Om Namah Shivay is the powerful vibration that was first expressed at the beginning of creation. The more you repeat the Name of God, the more your heart and mind are purified.

“The Lord’s name is like divine nectar; repeat it all the time.”

– Babaji

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“You should make Karma Yoga most important of all. Without Karma Yoga you do not get anywhere in life, and it is not only for material progress. Karma Yoga is equally essential for reaching spiritual perfection. Your heart is purified, your mind will be clear. Karma Yoga is beneficial for your health; you will sleep well and have a good appetite. A person with a good appetite and sound sleep is always a healthy person, and when you are healthy you can achieve everything in life. I have told you before there are many kinds of Yoga, but Karma Yoga is of the utmost importance. Karma Yoga should come first, after that you can add other kinds of Yoga.”
Babaji

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga means offering your work or activity selflessly to the Divine, for the well-being of the greater whole. It purifies the heart and the mind, and is beneficial for your overall health. Babaji emphasized that in this age, Karma Yoga and Japa — the inner repetition of a prayer or mantra — are the most powerful spiritual practices.

At our ashram, Karma Yoga is part of the daily rhythm. During the day, we work together on various tasks — such as helping in the kitchen or the vegetable garden, cleaning, or doing maintenance and renovation work. Together, we ensure that the ashram remains a welcoming and uplifting space for all. When you combine this with repeating a mantra, such as Om Namah Shivay, it helps you to come into greater harmony and balance.

Volunteering

It’s possible to stay at the ashram for a longer period and practice Karma Yoga.

If you’d like to stay for a month or more, you can fill out and submit the form below. In a personal conversation, we’ll explore the possibilities together.