Hrishidham has its origin in an unspoken, divine resolve—a sankalpa strong enough to melt stones. Hrishidham started with the very strong spiritual practice of a realized saint, Swami Adwaitananda Puri Maharaj, who in turn was blessed by his Guru, Sree Sreemat Swami Jogodananda Puri Maharaj.
The seed, so small and so divine, planted on the holy soil of Banshkhali, grew into a sanctuary and a holy grove of faith, devotion, and timeless wisdom. This is holy land, sanctified by his steps and his very presence, a witness to his meditation, a land where even the atmosphere is calm and tranquil, as if it is his name it is whispering.
Hrishidham is more than a location. It is a Punya Bhumi—a Field of Divine Grace. Hrishidham has come into existence not only due to human labor, but also due to the compassionate and radiant presence of Swami Adwaitananda Puri. He is the wish-fulfilling tree, which is the embodiment of pure and unadulterated love and the vision of Advaita.
Hrishidham today is a living presence. It is a soft vibration where people experience their hearts unfolding, lotus fashion, warmed by a timeless and intimate love. Hrishidham is a spiritual homeland, waiting to greet all who are searching.
In the turbulent aftereffects of Partition, when sorrow weighed so oppressively on so many hearts, Swamiji founded on this soil an unshakeable pillar of divine peace.
Moved by his grace, Babu Pulin Dutta dedicated the entire 28 acres of the consecrated land to his Lord.
Hrishidham, which has been latterly registered under the Hindu Kalyan Trust, has developed into much more than what could ever qualify to be called an ashram.
Currently, it is counted among the top religious places to visit in Bangladesh. Here, people experience peace along with the sensation of dawn breaking on a weary and agitated heart.
The light of Hrishidham flows through an unbroken lineage:
This parampara is not history —it is a river of consciousness, flowing from Guru to disciple, from heart to heart, from eternity into eternity.
Srimat Swami Advaitananda Puri Maharaj is honored as the founding saint of Hrishidham Banshkhali, Chattogram, and is called the saint of Sanatan Dharma in Bangladesh. He is from the Chattogram District and, after performing intense sadhana, in the forest-hills of district Kokdondi. He set up Hrishidham in 1948 to alleviate the hardships of devotees who wanted to make a pilgrimage and engage in spiritual practice. Hrishidham, under the guidance of his guru, Srimat Swami Jagadananda Puri Maharaj, became a non-communal as well as a universal spiritual center. He also brought the Hrishi Kumbh and Kumbh Mela in Banshkhali from 1957.
He is also remembered as a realized sadhu and the writer of a number of Gita, Shalagram, Dashamahavidya, Shiva-linga tattva, and upasanas as well as other philosophical and devotional works. Many of these writings are still being followed today. He is described by devotees as a tireless advocate of compassion and humanity. He was the architect of every part of Hrishidham and his teachings helped devotees to cross the ocean of worldly suffering through nama-sankirtan, devotion and services.
As a true embodiment of the Advaitananda teachings, Sreemot Swami Sudarshanananda Puri Maharaj, recognized as the Mohanto of Hrishidham and Tulshidham. a title of great holiness, affection, and authority, is considered by devotees as the most loving and spiritually potent member of the Advaitananda family. Devotees regard him as a deeply committed disciple of Rishi Advaitananda, and relate to Hrishidham as a blessed smriti‑tirtha, entrusted to him for constant care, where he affectionately and dutifully attends to the temple, the devotees, and the festival celebrations and the devotees for all the festivities.
Under Hrishidham’s Mohanto, Hrishidham is recognized for its affectionate and compassionate approach, promoting joint prayers, Kumbh activities, and great gatherings of love to celebrate the Lord. In His honor, the devotees offer samuhik prarthana, to invoke his health and welfare, especially when he is undergoing medical treatment in India. He is honored by the Rishidham community as the administrative head Mohanto, and as the living embodiment of the older to the younger, as a recipient of seva and bhakti along the guru-parampara in today’s Bangladesh, within the living framework.
Srimat Swami Sachchidananda Puri Maharaj is the current Mahant (Mohanto Maharaj) of Hrishidham and Tulsidham, succeeding the late Srimath Swami Sudarshanananda Puri Maharaj, under whom he was nurtured as a close disciple. He is described in recent notices as the lovingly raised sannyasi of Sudarshanananda Maharaj, formally chosen to carry forward the responsibility of Hrishidham after his lila as part of guru parampara.
By carry forward this Mohanto Maharaj responsibilities, he leads the temple, festivals, and day‑to‑day spiritual life of the ashram, including overseeing preparations and public outreach for the 22nd Hrishi Kumbh and Kumbh Mela 2026. Official announcements and media postings present him as a “Rishiputra” continuing the Advaitananda–Sudarshanananda lineage, with active public communication in combination with administrative leadership to invite devotees to the forthcoming Kumbh and to strengthen Hrishidham’s Sanatan Dharma mission.
