NEW YORK (Diya TV) — More than 1,250 seekers filled Riverside Church on August 9 to receive blessings from Paramahamsa Vishwananda, a revered spiritual master and founder of the global Bhakti Marga movement. The evening, centered on his Divine Darshan, became a historic moment in New York’s spiritual landscape, blending sacred music, devotion, and grace.
The program lasted over six hours and brought together kirtan, devotional chanting, and the sacred act of Darshan. Attendees described the gathering as a transformative experience that evoked inner peace and deep emotional release.
Many were moved to tears as voices joined in song, radiating unity and joy. The atmosphere carried a profound sense of reverence, leaving devotees with what many called a lasting memory of divine connection.
“I am not giving you this Love — I am helping you remember and experience the Love that has always been within you,” Paramahamsa Vishwananda told the congregation, drawing an emotional response from the crowd.
For New York’s Indian American and South Asian community, the event was more than a spiritual gathering. It was also a celebration of Sanatana Dharma, cultural heritage, and shared devotion.
Paramahamsa Vishwananda has personally blessed more than 600,000 people across the world through his teachings and Darshan. His Bhakti Marga movement — which means “Path of Devotion” — spans over 80 countries. It includes 220 centers, 17 ashrams, and thousands of active groups and teachers.
In the United States, the movement’s home is the Paranitya Narasimha Temple in Elmira, New York. This ashram serves as a hub for community gatherings, spiritual retreats, and devotional practices.
Following the New York gathering, Paramahamsa Vishwananda is scheduled to attend celebrations at the Elmira ashram. These include Krishna Janmashtami and Darshan on August 16 and 17. From September 11 to 14, he will lead the Soul Awakening retreat, which will focus on Atma Kriya Yoga, a meditation practice aimed at deepening spiritual connection.
These events continue the Bhakti Marga mission of spreading devotion, inner peace, and unity across communities in the U.S. and beyond.
Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda was born in Mauritius in 1978. From an early age, his life was marked by spiritual experiences and miraculous events. Today, he is recognized as an enlightened master and a living embodiment of divine love.
His mission is to “open the hearts of mankind.” Through teachings that blend ancient wisdom with practical tools, he guides people to awaken their innate capacity for unconditional love. His most notable contribution is Atma Kriya Yoga, a meditation practice given to him by his master, the legendary Mahavatar Babaji.
As the head of the Hari Bhakta Sampradaya, Paramahamsa Vishwananda has revitalized devotional traditions of India and unified them into a universal path. Since founding Bhakti Marga in 2005, he has expanded its reach globally, creating a living spiritual community rooted in the principles of Sanatana Dharma.
For more than 25 years, Paramahamsa Vishwananda has offered Darshan at nearly 400 events in 221 cities across 46 countries. He has personally blessed hundreds of thousands of people, inspiring them to discover love within and live a life of devotion.
He is also the author of 12 books, translated into 34 languages, which explore divine love, the lives of saints, scripture commentaries, and the soul’s journey toward God-realization.
Bhakti Marga focuses on building a personal relationship with the Divine. Its activities include kirtan, yoga, meditation, and community service. The movement encourages people from all walks of life to connect with the eternal truth of love and bring spirituality into daily life.
