Temple opening
A small temple for Baba Lokenath, a Yogi from the Himalayas in India, is located in Wilsons Creek, NSW, Australia. It was opened in April 2023 by Bodhi Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari, who founded the Lokenath Divine Life Mission (LDLM) in 1985 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. LDLM focuses on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment through microcredit self-help programs.
About Baba Lokenath
For 30 years, Lokenath practiced various forms of yoga, including ashtanga and hatha, living in jungles and plains while observing celibacy and fasting. He later went to the Himalayas where, at 90, he achieved the highest level of spiritual enlightenment, Nirvikalpa Samadhi, realizing that his Gurudev had not yet attained enlightenment. Gurudev told Lokenath he would soon leave his body and asked Lokenath to accept him as a disciple in his next life to guide him to moksha. Lokenath agreed, which may explain why he chose to settle in Baradi, Bangladesh, instead of staying in the Himalayas.
A Great Yogi from the Himalayas
Another unique aspect of Baba Lokenath’s life is his journey on foot to Mecca, Afghanistan, Persia, some western countries, and even the North Pole, where he blessed the lands. He eventually settled in Baradi (now in Bangladesh, 35 km from Dacca), living there for the last 26 years of his life. As his message of compassion, love, and healing spread, his small hermitage became a sacred meeting place for all religious communities. He was seen as the mythological Wish-fulfilling Tree.
Baba Lokenath Brahmachari was born in 1730 as the fourth child of Kamala Devi and Ramnarayan Ghosal in a village called Chakla, near Kolkata. Ramnarayan believed in the tradition of dedicating a family member to become a monk for God. His wife, however, could not bear to give up her first three children. During Lokenath’s birth, divine signs led her to dedicate him to God. He was named ‘Lokenath,’ meaning the Lord of Lokas (all worlds). At 11, Ramnarayan entrusted Lokenath to Bhagwan Ganguly, a respected yogi and Vedic scholar, who initiated him and Lokenath’s playmate, Benimadhav, who also wished to become a sannyasi.
He never performed miracles, but miracles seemed to follow him. He didn’t establish a group of sannyasis, instead, he taught householders the path to yoga through his guidance. While he helped the common people during the day, at night, yogis from the Himalayas and Tibet would come in their astral forms to learn advanced yoga. On June 2, 1890, at the age of 160, Baba willingly left his physical body and entered mahasamadhi in front of thousands of followers. Throughout his life, he never blinked, and his lasting promises resonate with all his devotees, regardless of their background. Just before departing, he said: “I am eternal, I am deathless. After this body falls, do not think everything ends. I will live in the hearts of all beings in my subtle form. Those who seek my refuge will always receive my Grace.” To delve into Baba Lokenath’s life and enhance your spiritual journey, please read “THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF A HIMALAYAN YOGI (The Times, Teachings & Life of Living Shiva Baba Lokenath.”
Baba Lokenath Temple Wilsons creek
The old banana shed started getting fixed up in 2023. The idea came from Shaun, who is a skilled craftsman. Jimmy and Gyananam helped with the last details. Zoe was there all along, and when Bodhi and Mega visited the Byron Shire, she asked Bodhi to bless the temple.
The only item that was still in good condition in the temple was the picture frame for the Baba Lokenath painting. Jimmy and Marina created the Shiva Lingam based on Bodhi’s guidance. Pictures show the condition of the banana shed and the progress of the work. Sam, Nalani, Eric, Amanda, Cory, Jai, and Reah all pitched in, and we feel very grateful for Baba Lokenath’s blessing.
