The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. But for Indians, they symbolize a spiritual eternity, a precious link with the ancient ages, and much more. Hindu mythology and fascinating religious traditions are interwoven with the history of the Himalayas. For many Hindus, the Himalayas constitute the 'ultimate destination', a repository of their deep religious faith. And it is from the Himalayan glaciers that the river Ganga, the holiest of all rivers in India, rises and cuts its path through the valleys of stunning beauty and marvellously chiselled gorges before it enters the plains.

Swami Sundarananda was a student of the reclusive yoga master Swami Tapovan Maharaj (1889 - 1957), who wrote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries about yogic life in the Himalayas in the classic yoga book Wanderings in the Himalayas (Himagiri Vihar).

Swami Sundaranand Ji lived with Swami Tapovan in the then inaccessible area of Gangotri, at the source of the Ganges, which is considered one of India's most sacred places

Swami Sundaranand had a strong connection with the Himalayas that few others have. He has climbed dozens of its peaks, several of them over 21,000 feet above sea level, and has lectured at Tensing's Himalayan Institute (a famous mountaineering school). He was also a skilled naturalist who was familiar with thousands of Himalayan plants and he knew the lore and medicinal uses of these species.

He engaged in 3 hours of meditation during the day, and sometimes meditated at night into the early hours of the morning. The most important parts of his life were meditation, japa and pranayama. As a younger man he was an accomplished hatha yogi, mastering 300 postures, and he continued to practice it daily.

Swami Sundaranand had a strong connection with the Himalayas that few others have. He has climbed dozens of its peaks, several of them over 21,000 feet above sea level, and has lectured at Tensing's Himalayan Institute (a famous mountaineering school). He was also a skilled naturalist who was familiar with thousands of Himalayan plants and he knew the lore and medicinal uses of these species.

He engaged in 3 hours of meditation during the day, and sometimes meditated at night into the early hours of the morning. The most important parts of his life were meditation, japa and pranayama. As a younger man he was an accomplished hatha yogi, mastering 300 postures, and he continued to practice it daily.