A SELF-styled 'Shankaracharya of the USA' has returned to India to die ceremoniously. He also has one-and-half acre land in Devri tehsil where he wants to take 'Samadhi'. One of the disciples, Oscar Mariana said after the Guruji's departure they would install a statue at his Samadhi.
The Shankaracharya had gone to USA on the advice of Mother Teresa who was quite impressed by his English elocution on Hindu religion during the Kumbh Mela in 1992.
Swami Shivanand Sarswati Ji Maharaj told Hindustan Times he set up an ashram in 1992 in Venezuela, a country known more for producing Miss Worlds than any other thing. Following the directions of his Guru Shankracharya of Joshi Math who had allowed Shiv Shankar Tiwari to go overseas he did not allow women to the ashram.
Shiv Shankar Tiwari said he was born in Banaras in 1925, brought up in Katni and joined British Army. After Independence he joined the Indian Railways. In 1983 he quit his job as chief head clerk at Katni junction and proceeded to Joshi Math. His initiation to spirituality began under tutelage of Shankracharya Shantanand. The seer claimed in 1992 he reached Venezuela where the Government 'anointed' him as 'Shankracharya of USA'.
He said in South American countries he established more then 10 ashrams and several hundred people including Indians became his disciples. The seer said he wants to see the Prime Minister and tell him that India could become superpower in 15 years if the country shunned politics on the lines of caste and religion. Shivannand Maharaj has a son living in Deori tehsil.
{{/usCountry}}He said in South American countries he established more then 10 ashrams and several hundred people including Indians became his disciples. The seer said he wants to see the Prime Minister and tell him that India could become superpower in 15 years if the country shunned politics on the lines of caste and religion. Shivannand Maharaj has a son living in Deori tehsil.
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