Birthday Celebration
of our beloved Gurudev Swami Lakshmanjoo
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the birthday of our beloved Gurudev, Swami Lakshmanjoo. This sacred gathering is offered in remembrance, gratitude, and devotion, honoring Swamiji’s life, presence, and the living tradition he embodied.
Participation is primarily online, with a very limited number of in-person spaces available.
Details
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 10:30 am Pacific Time. Find your time zone here.
Length: Approximately 4 hours
Location: Online (live from Oregon, USA)
Cost: Free · donations welcome
How to Participate
ONLINE Birthday Celebration (Open to All)
Register here to participate online.
You will receive a confirmation email followed by event details and the participation link. If you are already on our email list, you will receive the instructions automatically. You may unsubscribe at any time.
IN-PERSON Birthday Celebration (Very Limited Capacity)
A small number of in-person spaces are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registering here places you in consideration for in-person attendance. You will receive a follow-up email confirming whether a space is available, along with further details.
About the celebration
We are happy to announce the birthday celebration of our beloved Gurudev, Swami Lakshmanjoo.
Swami Lakshmanjoo was born on May 9, 1907, in Srinagar, Kashmir, India. From early childhood, he showed clear signs of profound spirituality. By the age of three, he would naturally become absorbed in his inner nature. Unable at that young age to articulate this experience in yogic terms, he described it in Kashmiri as “badhi bhod,” meaning “greater than the greatest.”
With extraordinary zeal, the young Swamiji pursued his spiritual path and, at the age of nineteen, experienced his first direct glimpse of God Consciousness. Following this revelation, he took a vow of lifelong celibacy and dedicated his life entirely to the realization of the highest state of God Consciousness.
Following Swamiji’s birthday, from May 10–13, the Fellowship will hold its bi-annual four-day study retreat.
It is a great blessing for us to gather in honor of this sacred day, and we warmly invite you to join us. Swamiji’s birthday celebration and spring retreat are consistently uplifting and deeply memorable occasions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Jai Guru Dev,
John Hughes and family,
and the Universal Shaiva Fellowship Team.
The Universal Shaiva Fellowship is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
We look forward to you joining us!
What is the significance of Swamiji's birthday in Kashmir Shaivism?
Swami Lakshmanjoo, also known as Swami Lakshman Joo Raina, was a prominent spiritual teacher and scholar of Kashmir Shaivism. He was born on May 9, 1907, in Srinagar, Kashmir. His birthday holds significant importance in the context of Kashmir Shaivism for several reasons.
Preservation and Revival: Swami Lakshmanjoo played a crucial role in the preservation and revival of the teachings and practices of Kashmir Shaivism. He dedicated his life to studying and interpreting ancient Kashmir Shaiva texts, many of which were on the verge of being lost or forgotten. His efforts helped revive interest in Kashmir Shaivism and brought it back into the consciousness of scholars and spiritual seekers.
Transmission of Knowledge: Swami Lakshmanjoo was initiated into the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism by his guru, Swami Ram, who was a direct disciple of Swami Ram Tirtha. Swami Lakshmanjoo received a deep understanding of the philosophy, scriptures, and practices of Kashmir Shaivism, and he transmitted this knowledge to his disciples and students. His birthday is an occasion to honor his contributions in disseminating this profound wisdom.
Propagation of Non-dualistic Philosophy: Kashmir Shaivism is a non-dualistic philosophical system that emphasizes the oneness of the individual soul (Shiva) and the universal consciousness (Shakti). Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings elucidated the non-dualistic nature of reality and provided practical methods for individuals to experience their inherent divinity. His birthday serves as a reminder of the non-dualistic principles of Kashmir Shaivism and their relevance to spiritual seekers.
Inspiration and Celebration: Swami Lakshmanjoo's life and teachings continue to inspire and impact spiritual aspirants. His birthday is observed as an occasion to celebrate his contributions, remember his teachings, and draw inspiration from his spiritual journey. It is an opportunity for his followers and disciples to come together, engage in spiritual practices, study his commentaries on Kashmir Shaiva scriptures, and reflect on the profound insights he shared.
Overall, Swami Lakshmanjoo's birthday is significant in Kashmir Shaivism as it commemorates his life, his dedication to the preservation and propagation of the teachings, and his invaluable contributions to the understanding and practice of this ancient spiritual tradition.
