Almora, Uttarakhand: There exists a profound connection between the revered Swami Vivekananda and Uttarakhand. Drawn by the tranquil valleys of nature and the spiritual power of the Himalayas, Swami Vivekananda was captivated by Kumaon. His belief was that the human mind naturally inclines towards spirituality as it ascends towards the Himalayas. He envisioned establishing an ashram where the teachings and practice of Advaita (non-duality) could coexist. He believed that despite being the land of the gods, there should be a math (monastic establishment) in the Himalayas dedicated to Advaita, where the distinction between the individual soul and the supreme soul disappears. Keeping this goal in mind, disciples established the Advaita Ashram amidst dense forests near Lohaghat in Champawat district on March 19, 1899
