About the Chicago Ashram

The Chicago chapter of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha was founded by Swami Purnatmanandaji. First located on California Avenue just off Devon Avenue, it soon outgrew the small location and was moved to a quiet sanctuary in Elgin. Now in response to community needs for a center for learning, sadhu-sangha, and prayer, the Ashram has been moved to a large building (formerly a church) in a quiet neighborhood in the historic town of Aurora.

Ashram

In the summer of 2007, the Ashram location was moved from the former location at Rohrssen Rd in Elgin to the new location:

Bharat Sevashram Sangha
522 Garfield Ave
Aurora IL, 60506 USA [MAP]

The new ashram location has been given the name Pranav Math Gurudham, Shivshakti Durga Mandir. It is a beautiful building located in a quiet neighborhood just minutes from downtown Aurora, with plenty of available parking. By the grace of Swami Pranavanandaji, this wonderful site has become available so that the needs of the community and the mission of the Sangha can be better served.

The Ashram is open to visitors from 7:30am - 9:30pm. Devotees are invited to come any time. Please call ahead to make sure that one of the Swamijis will be available.

Recently the Ashram has also acquired a home to serve as a guest house, to accomodate visitors wishing to stay overnight. If you wish to come and take advantage of this convenience, we ask that you please call ahead and speak to one of the Swamijis to make sure you can be accomodated properly.

Swamijis

The presiding Swamiji is Swami Purnatmananda. At the age of 84, he has been with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha for over 62 years. He is one of the most senior monks of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha worldwide. He is also the chairman, director, and principal coordinator and chief official representative of all overseas branches of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha.

You may contact him directly by mobile phone at (847)946-0534.

Managing the daily activities of the Pranav Math Gurudham is brahmachari Shantanu Maharaj. He has arrived here recently from Kolkata.

Also assisting in the day to day upkeep of the Ashram and activities is shevok Khokan Datta. He has come from Kolkata on a temporary basis.

Contact Information

By postal service

Bharat Sevashram Sangha
522 Garfield Ave
Aurora IL, 60506 USA

By phone

(630) 301-6039 (land line)
(847) 946-0534 (mobile)

By e-mail


Directions to the Ashram

Please note that these directions are for reference only. They may not be the most optimal routes due to traffic, construction, etc. Please use your judgement and travel carefully.

From the South (St. Louis, Springfield, Champaign, etc):

  1. From I-55 North, take I-355 West (8 mi)
  2. From I-355, take I-88 West (15 mi)
  3. From I-88, take Exit IL-31 (Aurora/Batavia)
  4. At the stoplight, turn right (South) onto IL-31 / Lincolnway (2.5mi)
  5. Turn right (West) onto W Galena Blvd
  6. Turn left (South) onto S May St (2 blocks)
  7. At Garfield Ave, the Ashram entrance will be on your left. However, the parking lot is behind the building. To get there, continue on May St one more block, to Hardin Ave. Turn left, and the lot will be on your left.

From the North (Milwaukee, etc):

  1. From I-94 South, take I-294 South (22 mi)
  2. From I-294, take I-88 West (23 mi)
  3. From I-88, take Exit IL-31 (Aurora/Batavia)
  4. At the stoplight, turn right (South) onto IL-31 / Lincolnway (2.5mi)
  5. Turn right (West) onto W Galena Blvd
  6. Turn left (South) onto S May St (2 blocks)
  7. At Garfield Ave, the Ashram entrance will be on your left. However, the parking lot is behind the building. To get there, continue on May St one more block, to Hardin Ave. Turn left, and the lot will be on your left.

From the East (Indianapolis, Detroit, etc):

  1. From I-80 /I-94 West, take I-294 North (Tri-State Tollway) (17 mi)
  2. From I-294, take I-55 South (8 mi)
  3. From I-55 North, take Exit 269 (I-355 West) (8 mi)
  4. From I-355, take I-88 West (15 mi)
  5. From I-88, take Exit IL-31 (Aurora/Batavia)
  6. At the stoplight, turn right (South) onto IL-31 / Lincolnway (2.5mi)
  7. Turn right (West) onto W Galena Blvd
  8. Turn left (South) onto S May St (2 blocks)
  9. At Garfield Ave, the Ashram entrance will be on your left. However, the parking lot is behind the building. To get there, continue on May St one more block, to Hardin Ave. Turn left, and the lot will be on your left.

From the West (Quad Cities, Des Moines, etc):

  1. From I-80 East, take I-55 North (19 mi)
  2. From I-55 North, take I-355 West (8 mi)
  3. From I-355, take I-88 West (15 mi)
  4. From I-88, take Exit IL-31 (Aurora/Batavia)
  5. At the stoplight, turn right (South) onto IL-31 / Lincolnway (2.5mi)
  6. Turn right (West) onto W Galena Blvd
  7. Turn left (South) onto S May St (2 blocks)
  8. At Garfield Ave, the Ashram entrance will be on your left. However, the parking lot is behind the building. To get there, continue on May St one more block, to Hardin Ave. Turn left, and the lot will be on your left.