Foundation Day

Baba Harihar Ram Jee, affectionately known as “Babaji,” is the spiritual teacher (Guru) in residence at Sonoma Ashram (U.S.) and Aghor Foundation (India). He is a disciple of Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram. Babaji founded Sonoma Ashram in 1991 in Sonoma, California U.S. and the Aghor Foundation in Varanasi India in 2001. Most recently, in 2020, he established Upasana Hilltop Sanctuary in Ft. Bragg, California U.S. He is a role model and spiritual beacon for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance. He radiates love and embodies living with purpose.

Babaji was born in India and spent his early days in a small village outside of Varanasi, and later, within the city of Varanasi. As a young man, he moved to the U.S. and soon achieved great material success. On one of Babaji’s annual visits to India, his older brother brought him to meet the esteemed Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram (Aghoreshwar), a day that would be a turning point in Babaji’s life. Babaji’s affection and devotion to Aghoreshwar sparked instantly and grew over time. When Aghoreshwar traveled to the U.S. for medical treatment, Babaji was honored to serve as one of his primary attendants.

Aghoreshwar encouraged his new young disciple to keep working, keep having fun, but in time, something started to shift. Although Babaji had all the money and worldly possessions he needed, he still felt something was missing. He felt an increasing sense of dispassion towards his lifestyle and material accomplishments, as well as a hunger to experience the Divine. He sought the guidance of his Guru. Aghoreshwar told him:

“As long as you are living for yourself, you are not going to find happiness. Look for it in the smiles of others, particularly those that are caused by your actions.”

On July 2, 1990, with Aghoreshwar’s blessing, Babaji left behind his residence, his business. and everything he knew to start a new life as a monk in the Aghor tradition. Following Divine inspiration, Babaji landed in Sonoma. A little over a year later, he established “Sri Sarveshwari Samooh” (now known as Sonoma Ashram Foundation) on September 21, 1991, in the presence of Aghoreshwar. The founding of the Ashram occurred auspiciously on the 30th anniversary of the founding of Aghoreshwar’s service organization in India, also named Sri Sarveshwari Samooh.