Journal

Stories of key events from Skanda Vale’s history – plus inspiring travelogues from sacred pilgrimages to Kailas, Arunachala, Vrindavan and more… 

Swami Sathyananda of Skanda Vale Temple
Uncategorised

Swami Sathyananda

We’re giving thanks for the life of Swami Sathyananda, who died peacefully at midday on Friday 23 January, 2026.
guru-giving-blessing-shivaratri
Teachings

Healing & blessings

If a person has a real problem physically and you want to help that person and say, “I want to heal you”, that means you want to share your karma with them. I want to take that karma from you and wear it, and if possible with the grace of God He will take some part of that karma from you. It’s a big responsibility, not an easy one.

Guru Sri Subramanium from Skanda Vale at a Swiss Satsang
Teachings

What is Maha Shakti?

"The Divine Mother is ‘Maha Shakti’. Maha Shakti means universal energy. Form and formlessness. The formlessness that encompasses the whole universe. That formlessness is in the mountains, rivers, Earth, and throughout the whole universe. The stars, moon, and suns are all a part of the energy of the Divine Mother."

Guru Sri Subramanium from Skanda Vale giving a spiritual talk
Teachings

What is an aura and what creates it?

Where you have power, where you have discipline, your aura becomes golden. The opportunity for a person to advance spiritually is there when you have disciplined yourself and your aura is golden.

Guru-Sri-Subramanium
Teachings

The founding values of Skanda Vale

Guru Sri Subramanium shares the core values of Skanda Vale during the inauguration of the Sri Ranganatha Temple.
A murthi of Ganesh with vibhuti and a candle
Teachings

How to develop concentration

Swami Amba talks about developing mindfulness through observing our thoughts and concentration through repeating mantras.
Pebbles on a beach painted by children
Teachings

How do I reassure my children about current world events?

Swami Suryananda explains how by being positive and living in conscious Love, we can change the world through our own actions.
A beautiful shrine to Lord Ganesh with flowers and lamps
Teachings

How to pray

A collection of helpful talks on how to find guidance, strength and peace of mind through prayer.
The Sri Ranganatha Temple at Skanda Vale Ashram
Teachings

Worshipping God in Nature

Swami Suryananda talks about experiencing God in the natural elements. Through greater sensitivity toward our natural surroundings, we develop an expanded sense of empathy, peace and joy.
Teachings
Guru Sri Subramanium
Stories

The first time I met Guru Sri Subramanium

A beautiful collection of short stories of first meetings with Guru Sri Subramanium.
Stories
Swami Karunananda and Valli
Stories

Archival photos from 1993

1993… the year of Jurassic Park, Bill Clinton and the dawn of the internet. Meanwhile, at Skanda Vale, monks & nuns were hard at work…
The three murthis of the Kriya Lahiri Mahasaya Lineage in Varanasi
Stories

Pilgrimage to Tiruvannamalai, Palani, Ganeshpuri & Varanasi

Brother Andy visits the sacred sites of India on a pilgrimage journey.
Kali with flower garlands at Skanda Vale
Stories

Devi Darshan

Guru Sri Subramanium shares his experiences of the personal manifestation of the Divine Mother.
Stories

What is it like to be a monk?

Endless physical work and hardly any sleep, plus Guru piling on the pressure… In this authentic story of graft and grace, Swami Suryananda shares what it is like to be a monk.
Swami Govinda and Indian man covered in paint, smiling
Stories

Pilgrimage to Vrindavan

Swami Govinda shares his story of visiting the temples, ghats and sacred places of worship in Vrindavan, the city of Sri Krishna.
Teachings

Overcoming self-doubt in spirituality

Guru Sri Subramanium explains how to overcome self-doubt by honing our willpower and strengthening our powers of speech.
Devotees sing to Nagaraja idol at Skanda Vale
Stories

Nagaraja Inauguration

Mohanji explains about the role of the Nagas. With HD photos from the consecration of our new Nagaraja murthi.
Stories

Dattatreya Prana Pratistha

Photos from the recent installation of Lord Dattatreya at Skanda Vale, with a discourse from Mohanji.
Guru Sri Subramanium in a red shawl in the gardens at Skanda Vale
Teachings

What is contemplation?

Learn how to contemplate effectively with Guru Sri Subramanium’s simple guide.
Guru Sri Subramanium with Valli - Skanda Vale's temple elephant
Teachings

Auras & what happens after we die

Guru Sri Subramanium explains what constitutes an aura and what happens to it after death.
Guru Sri Subramanium, founder of Skanda Vale
Teachings

Humour & honesty in spirituality

Don’t create tension by trying to be something you’re not. In this warm and frank talk Guru Sri Subramanium tells us that a little humour and honesty is by far the best way to God.
Guru Sri Subramanium holding a young child
Teachings

Balancing spiritual & material life

Guru Sri Subramanium taught us to be realistic and unpretentious. He explains the benefit of raising a family and the secret to finding fulfilment and purpose in daily life.
Guru Sri Subramanium leading a satsang
Teachings

Karma & suffering

Suffering and karma must be worn for a period of time, but can be reduced by the grace of God and a Guru.
Sister and Guru in the Swiss Alps
Teachings

Healthy habits for mindful living

Guru Sri Subramanium shares some examples of good habits to promote healthy, mindful living.
A Christian shrine to Lord Jesus Christ
Teachings

Communion with Christ

Swami Ananda describes the experience of Christ Consciousness when sharing the sacrament of Holy Communion at Skanda Vale.
Walking on the Tapovan Plateau with Shivling Mountain in the background.
Teachings

7 simple ways to help cope with negativity in the world

Swami Suryananda suggests ways to help us stay clear-minded and positive in the midst of political and social upheaval.
The summit of Mount Kailash with text reading KAILASH
Stories

Yatra pilgrimage to Mount Kailash

What’s it like to do the Mount Kailash Yatra? Swami Govinda shares his amazing experiences at Lake Manasarovar – and walking the Outer Kora. With HD photos.
Stories

Daily life with Guru Sri Subramanium

Justin Sparrow, one of Guruji’s earliest companions, shares his experiences of living alongside Guruji for many years. Justin was with Guru during the foundation of Skanda Vale, and during the arrival of the Divine Mother.
Stories

Lord Garuda Prana Pratishta

We recently consecrated a fabulous new murthi of Lord Garuda in the Sri Ranganatha Temple, with a sacred fire ceremony.
Sister and Guru in the Swiss Alps
Teachings

Discover your Divinity

Easy to read and very down to earth – Guru Sri Subramanium shares some inspiration on living the spiritual path.
himalaya-pilgrimage-team-photo2-1200x604
Stories

Pilgrimage to the source of the Ganges

Some extraordinary HD photos, and a report of a sacred pilgrimage to the source of the Ganges and Shivling Mountain in the Himalayas.
Guru Sri Subramanium smiling, wearing a blue robe and mala beads
Stories

How the Divine Mother came to Skanda Vale

The history of Skanda Vale Ashram in Guru’s own words, with a special focus on the arrival of Divine Mother.
Skanda Vale India Pilgrimage9
Stories

Arunachala pilgrimage

Swami Suryananda has just returned from a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Arunachala and Palani. You’ve got to hear this amazing story!
An exceptionally beautiful image of Lord Shanmukha with candles at Skanda Vale
Stories

The Lord Shanmukha story

A miraculous story of how Guru Sri Subramanium took Justin Sparrow and Sister Topsy on a spontaneous and inspired mission, through the Sri Lankan hills, in search of a sacred murthi of Lord Shanmukha.
Teachings

Concentration & letting go

Guru Sri Subramanium speaks of the Dharma of humanity. He talks about concentration, letting go, love and the dedication needed to reveal our true nature and place in Pure Infinite Consciousness… God.
Stories

Sri Ranganatha Temple Story

Guru Sri Subramanium, the founder of Skanda Vale, talks about how the Lord gave him the inspiration to build the Sri Ranganatha Temple. He explains how land, materials, murtis and manpower all arrived at exactly the right time.
Teachings

Self confidence & spirituality

Guru Sri Subramanium describes the problem of false piety and meekness in spirituality. In fact, true humility is being aware of your own Divinity…
Teachings

Wake up! You are fast asleep

Guru Sri Subramanium, the founder of Skanda Vale, urges us to stop daydreaming and start living consciously from moment to moment, with love.
Read More

Search Skanda Vale