Our Mission
The Soma Matha is dedicated to increasing peace in the world by helping people to find peace within and in their personal lives by guiding and initiating qualified spiritual seekers toward a direct experience of the Divine. The Soma Matha teaches the Vedic Sciences of Puja, Yajnam, Mantra, Yantra, Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, and Vaastu Shaastra which are often not well understood in the West. The Soma Matha performs Vedic rituals for the peace of the world and the upliftment of consciousness. We are working to open a Temple for Goddesss Shakambhari and teaching center in the mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Our Teacher
Gananathamritananda Swamiji
Swamiji is the founder and spiritual director, Pīṭhādhipati, of the Soma Matha which is being built in accordance with the vision Swamiji received from the Goddess. Swamiji oversees all activities of the Matha. Swamiji has studied the Vedic Sciences deeply and has attained a high level of mastery of Yoga, Mantra, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, and Vastu Shastra. He has taught the Vedic Sciences to sincere students from all back grounds for nearly 20 years, and has provided counsel and spiritual services for individuals and various Temples, Churches, and other spiritual organizations in the US and India.
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Our Work
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Teaching the Vedic SciencesThe Soma Matha works diligently to spread authentic teachings about Mantra, Meditation, Yoga, and Ayurveda in the West. Swamiji has served as an adviser to various Yoga teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner training programs. The Matha teaches Yoga teachers about the traditional application of the ancient and mystical science of Yoga as a tool for spiritual realization. We work to increase awareness about Ayurveda, the ancient spiritual system of healing. Swamiji teaches Ayurveda classes to Yoga Teachers, Healers, spiritual seekers, and laypeople for health and spiritual realization. We are maintaining an Ayurvedic Botanical Garden which has had over 200 species of Tropical Ayurvedic herbs in addition to hundreds of species of European and Native medicinal herbs. We makes and sell Ayurvedic herbal teas to help increase access in the West to high quality Ayurvedic herbs and to promote knowledge of Ayurveda in general.
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Preserving the Sanctity of Sacred PlacesThe Soma Matha teaches and performs ancient Vedic ceremonies which were revealed by the Sages for the consecration of Holy Places. The Matha works to preserve the sanctity of the sacred ashrams and devamandirams (temples) in India and throughout the world. We work to empower the efforts of Sannyasins, Purohits (priests), and devotees of these sacred sites. Swamiji offers services to help them to recognize the karmic and spiritual sources of obstacles to the pure flow of spiritual shakti (energy) and assists them in implementing remedial measures. Swamiji does not give precedence to any one sect or tradition, but serves all spiritual organizations regardless of sect or denomination according to the merit of their faith and dedication. Swamiji also works with many Gurudwaras, Christian Churches, and Buddhist Monasteries. Though Swamiji gives teachings and blessings to all who approach him with faith and compassion, he bestows Diksha (initiation) to serious spiritual seekers who have undergone the proper steps of preparation.
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Preservation of Hindu DharmaThe Soma Matha works to help encourage the many Hindu Indian immigrants living in the west to preserve their spiritual heritage by spreading authentic teachings about the traditional practices of the Sanatana Dharma. Many of these ancient traditions are now being forgotten. We teach the importance of Sandhyaa Vandanam and the daily recitation of the Gayatri Mantra, the basic Vedic practice of Hindus. The Matha teaches the importance of the Shodasha Samskaras (the sixteen traditional sacraments of Hinduism). We teach the great importance on the regular practice of Pitri Tarpanam (offerings for the ancestors) and the Pancha Maha Yajnam (offerings for beings). We teach the traditional practices of Puja and Yajnam, placing great emphasis on the sacred mantras from the Vedas. We teach about the importance of the Veda Hymns and initiate men, women, and children to chant Vedas for the peace of the world. We counsel many young Hindus (particularly in Western countries) about how to respectfully and powerfully reconnect with their spiritual tradition.
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