Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) was founded by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917. The mission of YSS is to make available to all the ancient scientific teachings, and meditation techniques of Kriya Yoga for achieving all-round success, well-being, and a direct personal experience of God. YSS has more than 200 centers across India to help all Truth-seekers to experience the power of group meditations and to share in spiritual fellowship. The YSS Dhyana Kendra (meditation center) at Lucknow was started by Sri Karuna Shankar Dubey, along with a small group of devotees, at his residence in the early sixties. Former Sanghamata and President of YSS/SRF Sri Sri Daya Mataji visited Lucknow in 1963 on her way to Dwarahat. Following her visit, Sri Dubey and a group of devotees started regularly meeting for group meditations at his residence. Subsequently, the meditation center shifted to another location.
With a continuous increase in the number of devotees, there was a need for a larger place which could sustain the growth of the Kendra in the future years. In 2005, aided by a generous donation from a senior Kendra devotee, a piece of land was acquired from Lucknow Development Authority at A-10 & 11, Institutional Area, Vipul Khand, Gomti Nagar and the construction work began immediately. After three years of construction, the Lucknow Dhyana Mandir was inaugurated by Swami Krishnanandaji on 31st January 2008, on the occasion of Sri Sri Daya Mataji’s birth anniversary.
The architecture of the Kendra building provides a peaceful and quiet meditation environment for the devotees. The building has a pyramidal dome with a white lotus on top. The main meditation hall is situated on the ground floor, right below the pyramidal dome. It has a seating capacity of 250 devotees. The ground floor also houses the reception and the book sale rooms. In the basement of the building, there is another hall with a seating capacity of 300 devotees, where currently the devotees practice their Energization exercises. The basement also includes a library and a conference room for Managing Committee meetings and official discussions. The first floor has a room for Children’s Satsanga with a beautifully designed altar. The dining hall, kitchen and room for monks are also located on the first floor.
The Kendra has seen a steady growth of truth seekers over the last few years. It has become a haven for all those follow the immortal teachings of our beloved Gurudeva.
On 20th May, 2007, the Kendra organized a function for the release of the Urdu translation of the spiritual classic, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi.
In honour of Paramahansaji, the local authorities renamed the road on which the Kendra is built as “Paramahansa Yogananda Marg” on 20th Feb, 2009.
Visiting Hours:
The Dhyan Kendra is open to devotees from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm every day.
Special Meditations and Functions:
- Summer and winter solstices – 5 hrs long meditation
- Spring and Autumn Equinoxes – 5 hrs long meditation
- New Year’s Eve – 9:30pm – 12:30am
- Janmashtami and Christmas – 3 hrs special meditation and pushpanjali.
The Janmotsav celebration on Guruji’s birthday also includes a Prabhat Pheri, a charitable activity, Guru Langar, and a special meditation.
The Kendra celebrates all the birth anniversaries and Mahasamadhi anniversaries of our Gurudeva and Param Gurus by conducting special three hour meditations. The meditations are followed by Pushpanjali. Longer meditations of five hours each are scheduled for these occasions on a suitable Sunday immediately before or after the actual commemoration event. Children also participate in special programmes arranged for them during such commemorations.
Book Room:
The Kendra has a dedicated book room which offers the sale of all YSS publications including magazine subscriptions, published books, CDs, etc. Along with the books, meditation altars with pictures of revered Gurus, meditation cushions, arm rests, calendars etc. are also available throughout the year for the devotees.
Book Room Timings:
Weekdays (other than Thursday) – 7:00-8:00 pm
Thursdays – 8:00-9:00 pm
Sundays – 12:00am-1:00pm (Winter) / 11:00am-12:00pm (Summer)
