the origins

Shri Pushkara Swami Ashram was founded by Shri Poshkar Nath Koul (Posh-e-Mot) S/o Late Shri Ramji Koul, residing at Kanya-Kadal, Srinagar, Kashmir.

The Ashram has been serving the community for the last four decades during which it attracted many people, adults and seniors, male and female and even children of varied age groups.

Shri Poshkar Nath Koul - Daddy Ji Mahraj - as addressed by his disciples - lead a simple but austere family (गृहस्ती) life, participating in common religious and social functions, without any restrictions or rigidities. Though perennially ensconced with the Supreme, through his devotion, superficially he followed a simple and modest life based on Sanatan-Dharm principles attending to socio-religious activities in true spiritual manner thereby exemplifying the great spiritual pathway as enshrined in the following verse:

ना छोडो घर, ना भूलो हर, कर्म कर ज़िन्दगानी में,

रहो दुनिया में यूँ , जैसे कंवल रहता पानी में!

"Abdicate not your home, forget not the Almighty; attend to your duty,

Stay in the world, like a lotus flourishing in a water body.”

He guided his followers to the easier simple and devout (bhakti) path and would not advise strenuous spiritual exercises. Living this paradigm, His sadhna remained simple but meaningful and full of humility.

In his unique evolution, as one can perceive in hindsight, He had reached a stage where God almighty, confers a realized seeker with extra responsibility or activity in the interest of humanity in general. One of the most powerful saints, Shri Swami Nand Lal ji Mahraj called upon Daddy ji Maharaj at his office at Sopore, Kashmir literally to convey the royal orders, bestowing Tirath Raj (premier amongst shrines) Lok-Bhawan, to Daddy ji’s care. The dictum was communicated in Farsi (Zapar-van ki pari, shahi farman, Luk-bhawan.....) in front of a crowd of awe struck colleagues and onlookers.