Shri Gobardhana Pitha Garoi Ashram - Duitiya Shri Khsetra
Baba Shri Buddhanath Das in Garoi Ashram (1994)
Baba Shri Buddhanāth Das in Garoi ashram

(popularly and affectionately called as Buddhiā baba or Buddha baba, Year:1994 By:unknown)


PanchaSakhā Pancha Mantra Bāntidele, Bhakatanku Deba Vikhyaa
Aau Tora Shri-Khshetrare Pabitra Hoiba, Sanātana Ehi Dikhyaa ...

PanchaSakhaa distributed five mantras, to give as alms to the devotees
And in your Shri-Khsetra, the Sanaatana initiation (dikhyaa) will again become holy ...

(lines extracted from this song)

Garoi is the name of a remote village in the district of Jagatsinghpur in Odisha, an easterly state belonging to the Indian subcontinent. The village Garoi is situated on the banks of the River Gobari and River Devi. The Ashram at Garoi was established on the confluence of these two rivers by Baba Shri Buddhanāth Das, adjacent to his native village. River Gobari is a local construct from the original name Gobardhana. The river which flows towards the north is known as Ganga. The Gobari river is merged with Devi river at Garoi, and is flowing towards north and is known as Gupta Gangā(hidden Ganga). The place holds links to the four Yugas through various indications or Sutras (dots that hold keys to meanings and when connected together reveal the big picture), through existence of trees: Sweta Bata (Satya Yuga), Aswastha Brukhya (Tretaya Yuga), Siāli Brukhya Latā (Dwapara Yuga) and Neema Subhadrā Dāru (Kali Yuga). Shri Achyuta had hinted to Rām Das(in his literary work of Malikās) to identify his work place through these Chāri Sutras (four indications), near a river confluence where Gupta Gangā will be flowing in the neighnorhood. This is also a place where his (Baba Buddhanāth Das's) Six Gurus had Siddhi (enlightenment) under a Peepal tree whose offshoots exist to date.

To view the Location of Garoi, please follow the Link in the Sub-Menu 'Garoi-Geographical location'. There are about 18 points of interest for cultural/heritage visitors at and around the location of the Ashram. Please see our 'Visitors Guide' using the link in the left vertical menu for the complete list.

Shri Gobardhana Pitha Garoi Ashram: why this name?

Samadhi (Tomb) of Rishi Gobardhana

A long time ago, on this land and in the lap of the mother nature, a rishi named Gobardhana had his Ashram. 'Gobardhana Pitha Garoi Ashram' is named after this compassionate and Siddha Rishi.

Rishi Gobardhana used to meditate on Shri Laxmi Svarupaa Maa Gautami. When he foresaw the atrocities of Kali Yuga, his heart was troubled and out of the desire for social welfare he offered heartfelt prayers to the Mother. Legend has is that, blessed by the wishes of the compassionate Mother, a stream of water had started to form from the Tarpana (oblation) water that later became River Gobari, from the name of Rishi Gobardhana. The river Gobari is also called as Gobardhana river.



Subhadra Dāru: (a Neem Tree) from which Goddess Subhadra Deity will be made in some Nabakalebara

Subhadra Daru

As per the ancient writings of the Seers, this Neem tree will provide wood in some Naba Kalebara, for making the Idol of Goddess Subhadra. This reference has been made in Bhāva Manjushā by Saint Arakhshita Das of Olasuni and TāmraPothi of Shri Achyutananda. While we do not know the exact year of the corresponding Naba Kalebara, partly because Shri Achyuta has not fully revealed this, the tree is protected and all rituals are observed here to keep the Tree suitable for making the idol of the Goddess, when the time comes.

A mini video clip recorded in early 2004 and is made available from our Youtube channel.


Sweta Bata (Banyan tree with white Figs) - The Votive Wish Tree & Pahada (resting) Ashram of Mahapurusha Achyuta

Mahapurusha Achyutananda



Sweta Bata (Banyan tree with white Figs)



Pahada Ashram of Shri Achyuta

In early 1990s, an idol of Mahapursha Achyuta was established here, following his command to Baba and instructions via Taamrapothi. Shri Achyuta is associated with such idols under holy Banyan trees even while he was in his physical body. The idol is made up of a mixture of auspicious materials and Duba Ghaasa, a sacred Grass (Cynodon dactylon), is interwoven inside of the idol representing the veins and nerves. The establishment was blessed by the then Mahant of Nemala, without which it would not be ritually possible as Nemala is Shri Achyuta's original Pitha. In Baba's word narrating specifics of Shri Achyuta:
Naahin Mandira
Votive Wishes and Offerings:
While Achyuta answers (instructs) via Taamrapothi, he responds to wishes at this place (mannat). From Taamrapothi, one will find relevant information and instructions and its upto the seeker to follow. The Karma of the seeker then decides the course. Here, Shri Achyuta additionally takes care of the devotees in distress wih his Divine Grace; but one must not ask for unrighteous things or out of greed- they will not be fulfilled. Baba used to say, 'please don't ask me for anything, if you have a wish, silently request Shri Achyuta near the Sweta Bata and go home. Follow for three months purity in thoughts and lifestyle. If you have devotion and faith, and not asking for unrighteous things or harm others, He will grant your wish'. (please ask our Peethadhish for details of lifestyle to be followed for 3 months, if you plan on coming here with a votive wish)

Also existing inside the Ashram premises is The Pahada Ashram (resting hut) of ShunyaDehi Mahapurusha Achyutananda Das. Legend has it that, Shri Achyuta, while travelling to places (Puri), stops by here to rest.



Baba's Samadhi (Tomb) and Vigraha Mandira (temple with an Idol)

Samadhi (Tomb) of Baba Buddhanath

Vigraha Mandira of Baba

Baba Buddhanath Das left his physical body on 2-Sep-2006. As per his wish and the place he had marked before leaving his body, a Samadhi has been built. Also the location where last Birthday in his physical body was observed, a Vigraha Mandira (temple with an idol) has been constructed (the two photos to your left). For more informaton on our beloved Baba, please click here.



Chandan Pokhari (Pond)

Chandan Pokhari (pond)

Night view of during Chandan Yatra
Same as above from a different angle

Chandan Pokhari is a sizeable Pond near Ashram where the annual Chandan Yatra (water-sport of the Lord) is celebrated. Chandan Yatra literally means Sandalwood paste festival and is a 21-day Summer Festival of the Lords that starts on Akshaya Trutiya (3rd day of the bright fort night in the month of Baisakha). This also marks the beginning of the construction of the 3 chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra for Rath Jatra (car festival). The last day of this 21-day festival is celebrated in a grand scale and is culturally known as 'Chāpa' or 'Bhaunri (whirlpool) Yatra' in Odia language and has its origin from Lord Jagannath temple at Puri.

Below is a mini-clip of this celebration in Apr-2015:


A clip recorded during 2015 Chandan Yatra and is made available from our Youtube channel.


His Holiness Baba Buddhanath Das, under the instruction of his Guru, got constructed a Jagannāth temple at Garoi in 1993. The place Garoi is considered by devotees as second Shri-Khsetra and Fifth Dhāma.


Entrance facing Subhadra daru

Entrance facing Subhadra daru

Sidewalk leading to Siali Lata

The same sidewalk leading out
[Click on the images for larger images; Year: Oct-2014]

Baba, on occasions, used to say simple things in a prose-like manner and about the Ashram he said:

"This Ashram is yours only, You maintain it and keep it neat. If you are hungry or thirsty here, look for what is there and eat or drink, whatever little or more is there. If you go hungry or thirsty, I remain hungry that day." He also added: "Sri Achyuta has repeatedly said: "Bhakta Ahārare Muhin Karai Ahāra - I get fed only when the devotees accept food".
Two simple lines from one of his conversations is given below:

This Ashram is yours, and so the Temple is,
The Environment is yours too, thus keep it clean.