Padampuri and the Living Presence of Sombari Baba
Padampuri: A Sanctuary of Silence and Spirit
A Sacred Valley Blessed by a Saint
The revered Sombari Baba Maharajji, one of the great saints of the Himalayas, chose Padampuri as his sacred abode for intense sadhana (spiritual practice). Nestled in a narrow valley about 40 kilometers from Nainital, the ashram stands at the confluence of two mountain streams forming the Kalsa River.
Natural Beauty and Divine Grace
Baba set up his ashram at the natural confluence beneath a large banyan tree. With no walls or structures, his simple lifestyle embodied renunciation, devotion, and harmony with nature. He wore only a loincloth, slept on the bare ground, and maintained a sacred dhuni (fire pit) that burned continuously.
Spiritual Power of Padampuri
Legacy and Miracles
Padampuri became a place of pilgrimage for seekers from across India and even abroad. Baba was believed to possess Annapurna siddhi, ensuring limitless food for all who visited. Domesticated animals, too, were drawn to the ashram, reflecting his universal love.
Visitation by Sages
Saints such as Hairakhan Baba visited Sombari Baba here. Kaka Kalelkar, the Gandhian scholar, wrote extensively about Padampuri in his travelogue, describing it as a center of wisdom, renunciation, and divine hospitality.
Profound Teachings from the Valley
A Saint Beyond Attachment
Sombari Baba avoided attachments to places or possessions. Though a temple and dharamshala were later built by a devotee, Baba himself stayed under the sky, indifferent to physical structures.
Living Wisdom with Simplicity
Kaka Kalelkar described Baba’s teachings as practical, non-preachy, and rooted in deep experience. Baba discouraged teaching Vedantic detachment to children and emphasized action with desire in early stages of life.
Padampuri Through the Eyes of Visitors
Divine Predictions and Hospitality
Kaka Kalelkar recounts being awaited by Baba, despite no prior announcement of his visit. Baba offered homemade baati (bread), chai without milk or sugar, and almond prasad, each imbued with grace and warmth.
Philosophy of Non-Attachment
Baba shared insights on karma, detachment, and purity. He believed that actions performed with ego—even charity—can bind one. For him, renunciation was not apathy, but the highest form of love and detachment.
Atmosphere and Divine Stillness
The Ashram’s Unique Aura
Located in a deep forested valley, Padampuri experiences extreme cold. Snow often covers the land, and a nearby pond remains frozen most of winter. The silence of Padampuri is meditative and introspective.
Blessings from the Forest
Even today, animals like mongoose and birds appear during meditation or darshan, considered signs of divine presence. The local Saun tribe supported Baba selflessly, often bringing firewood and supplies without asking for anything in return.
Disclaimer: The author is trying to bring together different stories of Sombari Baba Ji by reading various books and articles about him and talking to various devotees. If you wish to contribute to the article or correct any facts, please email to manager@nkbmeditation.org.
