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Renowned for his austere asceticism and deep knowledge of Vedanta, Hari Maharaj visited Almora several times—first in 1898 with Swami Vivekananda, later around 1905, and finally in 1915 with Swami Shivananda. several times—first in 1898 with Swami Vivekananda, later around 1905, and finally in 1915 with Swami Shivananda.
During his last visit, though he had come for recuperation, he undertook intense tapasya and, despite illness and hardship, established Ramakrishna Kutir, fulfilling Vivekananda’s long-cherished vision of a centre in Almora.
A direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the second President of the Ramakrishna Order.
Visited Almora in 1889, 1893, 1897, 1913–14, and 1915. He spent the most time in Almora among the direct disciples, practicing tapasya at Patal Devi and staying at the Chilkapeta house of Lala Badri Shah.
He wrote 28 spiritually significant letters from Almora. Tasked by Swamiji to build an ashrama here, he initiated the founding of Ramakrishna Kutir in 1915 alongside Swami Turiyananda.
A direct disciple known for his immense love and role in managing Belur Math.
Baburam Maharaj visited Almora around 1898 (surviving a famous fall from a horse between Nainital and Almora, narrowly avoiding Swamiji's anxious scolding) and again in 1901 en route to Mayavati.
- A direct disciple and the first Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission.
- Visited Almora in 1897. Swamiji brought him to Almora (and the Dewaldhar estate) hoping the dry, cold climate would cure his physical ailments. Though his health did not improve, he spent time in tapasya in Swamiji's company.
It was from his reminiscences from this time that we get to know of the incident of Swamiji’s reunion with the poor fakir, who had seven years earlier, fed him a cucumber. Upon recognizing him Almora, Swamiji embraced the man and rewarded his past kindness with heartfelt generosity.
- The youngest direct disciple, known affectionately as "Khoka Maharaj." Trustee of Ramakrishna Mission.
- Visited Almora in 1899 and 1905, and likely passed through the Almora route during his trips to Mayavati around 1902 and 1904.
A direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna known for his pioneering relief, orphanage, and rural development work and the third President of the Order, Gangadhar Maharaj was the first among his brother disciples to visit Almora, sometime between 1886 and 1890. During these visits, he developed a close relationship with Lala Badri Shah and his family, who affectionately referred to him as “Tibbetwale Babaji.” In 1890, he came here with Swami Vivekananda during their parivrajaka days, thus playing a key role in introducing Swamiji to the region.
A direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, later known for his pioneering work in America, especially the establishment of the Vedanta centre in San Francisco.
Visited Almora in 1895 on his way to Tibet. He stayed for several days at the residence of Lala Badri Shah, where he regained strength and experienced warm hospitality. His detailed writings from this journey provide valuable insights into Almora’s social and cultural milieu, including a vivid portrayal of Lala Badri Shah’s character.
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Visited Almora in 1890 under the name Swami Kripananda. Practiced tapasya in Patal Devi with Swami Saradananda. They were present when Swamiji arrived, and later journeyed with him and Akhandananda toward the Garhwal region.
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Also known as Gupta Maharaj, he was Swami Vivekananda’s first monastic disciple, renowned for his absolute obedience and dedicated relief work during the Calcutta Plague.
He accompanied Swamiji to Almora in 1897 and again in 1898, along with Western disciples including Sister Nivedita, staying at Thompson House as guests of the Sevier couple.
A monastic disciple of Swamiji and the founding President of Advaita Ashrama. Visited Almora in 1898. A highly pivotal figure in Almora's history, he revived the Prabuddha Bharata from Thompson House (with Captain Sevier). He taught Sister Nivedita meditation and was the primary scout who searched the region to find the Mayavati estate.
A disciple of Swami Vivekananda, later the 5th President of the Order, Swami Shuddhananda translated most of Swamiji’s works into Bengali.
Formerly Brahmachari Sudhir, he accompanied Swamiji and Swami Niranjanananda during their visit to Almora in 1898. Greatly inspired by Niranjanananda, he received sannyasa from him on 16 September 1898 at the house of Lala Badri Sah in Almora.
A disciple of Swami Vivekananda and the 6th President of the Order, Swami Virajananda compiled the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda and published the first English biography of Swamiji from Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, where he served extensively as a worker and later as President. He founded the Vivekananda Ashrama at Shyamla Tal, often passing through Almora. A few of his conversations with Brahmachari Ram Maharaj of the Almora Ashrama are recorded in Atiter Smriti.
A disciple of Swami Vivekananda, known for his intellectual inclination and later independent work.
Miss Margaret Noble, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, dedicated her life to India’s education, cultural revival, and nationalist awakening.
She accompanied Swamiji to Almora in 1898, staying at Oakley House (now Nivedita Cottage), where she underwent a rigorous inner training—shedding her colonial identity and embracing the Indian cause. After a profound crisis, she was blessed by Swamiji under a deodar tree, an experience that marked her spiritual awakening and lifelong dedication to his mission.
She preserved many of these conversations and reminiscences, including insights from the morning classes, in her book Notes of Some Wanderings with the Swami Vivekananda—a timeless masterpiece.
A British stenographer, he became a devoted disciple of Swami Vivekananda, faithfully recording his lectures in both the West and India.
He accompanied Swamiji during his 1897 tour, taking down lectures from Colombo to Almora. Later, he went to Madras, embraced the life of a brahmachari, and moved to Ooty, where he worked for a newspaper. He passed away untimely of enteric fever in 1898 at just 27.
Swamiji, then in Almora, was deeply distressed and composed the poem Requiescat in Pace, sending it to Goodwin’s mother. He remarked that "those who think they have been helped by any thought of mine ought to know that almost every word of it was published through the untiring and most unselfish exertions of Mr. Goodwin."
Met Swami Vivekananda in Almora in 1897, fulfilling an earlier unfulfilled meeting from Sri Ramakrishna’s time. Their conversations—held in various settings—focused on nationalism, service, and the true meaning of freedom. Deeply influenced, he redirected his life towards service and education.
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A nationalist leader, educationist, and social reformer from Bengal.
- Swamiji's most ardent Madras devotees, deeply involved in launching the Brahmavadin journal and raising funds for his Western voyage.
- Almora Connection:Gap filled: They traveled from Madras to Almora in May/June 1897 to consult with Swamiji on the Brahmavadin and their future work, staying for several days before journeying onward to Badrinath.
You can edit text on your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text box a settings menu will appear. your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text box
You can edit text on your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text box a settings menu will appear. your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text box
- An American friend and staunch supporter of Swamiji (she preferred "friend" over disciple).
- Almora Connection: Visited in 1898, staying at Oakley House and participating in the daily morning lectures and training with Nivedita and Sara Bulland Mrs. Patterson, Wife of the American Consul General.
- A devoted American disciple of Swamiji who worked closely with Nivedita in women's education.
- Almora Connection: Came much later (1920s) with Boshi Sen, whom she viewed maternally. Stayed at Kundan House during her declining years.
- An American disciple whom Swamiji addressed as "Dhira Mata," a major financial supporter of the Ramakrishna Math.
- Almora Connection: Visited in 1898, part of the women's entourage staying at Oakley House.
- A wealthy, eccentric British theosophist who helped fund Swamiji's work.
- Almora Connection: Visited in 1897. Rented a large bungalow on Swami Shivananda's advice (and later complained about the cost until Swamiji offered to pay half). Provided Swamiji with "square European meals" at the Dewaldhar estate, where she was famously terrified by a leopard taking a goat.
Arrived in Almora in 1897 and hosted Swami Vivekananda at Thompson House in 1898. Played a key role in establishing the printing press and reviving Prabuddha Bharata. Instrumental in founding Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati.
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A British disciple of Swami Vivekananda who dedicated his life and resources to his mission.
- Swamiji deeply admired James's austere, monk-like nature.
Recognized that Almora would eventually become crowded and suggested a more secluded location, leading to the selection of Mayavati for the Advaita Ashrama.
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A devoted Western disciple who played a decisive role in shaping the Himalayan centre envisioned by Swamiji.
- A British theosophist and early promoter of Vedanta in England.
- Almora Connection: Visited in 1893 while practicing Indian mysticism. He met Swami Shivananda in Almora, who told him about Swamiji's success in America, prompting Sturdy to invite Swamiji to England.
- Theosophist Sturdy to Vedantist Sturdy
- Boshi Sen was a brilliant agricultural scientist and the very first disciple of Swami Sadananda (who was himself Swamiji's first monastic disciple). Gertrude Emerson Sen was an accomplished American author, journalist, and a founding member of the Society of Woman Geographers.
- Almora Connection: Introduced to J.C. Bose by Sister Nivedita, Boshi Sen worked under him for years before relocating to Almora around 1924–1926. Here, he founded the Vivekananda Laboratory, conducting pioneering agricultural research on crop sustainability that helped lay the groundwork for India's Green Revolution. He and Gertrude made Almora their permanent home, living at Kundan House until their deaths. Their home became a sanctuary for aging disciples like Sister Christine and a hub for intellectuals.
- A prominent, wealthy, and deeply spiritual resident of Almora.
- Almora Connection: He was the absolute backbone of the early Ramakrishna-Vivekananda movement in the Kumaon region. He was Swamiji's dedicated host every time he visited Almora. Beyond Swamiji, Lala Badri Sah generously opened his many properties to all the direct disciples—including Swami Akhandananda (who knew him affectionately as "Tibbadwale Babaji") and Swami Trigunatitananda—providing them with crucial logistical, financial, and spiritual refuge during their Himalayan wanderings.
- A local Muslim man from the Almora region.
- Almora Connection: Zulfikar Ali is immortalized in the history of the movement as the man who offered a life-saving cucumber to a starving, exhausted Swami Vivekananda, who had collapsed from sheer fatigue during his wandering days. This legacy of pure devotion is carried on by his descendants today. His grandson, Akhtar Ali, now in his 70s, still meticulously and affectionately cares for the associated property. Fueled by immense faith and having experienced visions of Swamiji twice, his lifelong dedication stands as a living testament to that historic encounter.
