Paramahansa Yogananda was born in
Gorakhpur,
Uttar Pradesh, on January 5th, 1893. He became a disciple of the revered Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri at the age of 17. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, he took up the life of a monk. Paramahansa Yogananda became a pioneer of yoga in the west, based in America. He was officially received by the American president Calvin to the White House.
Kriya yoga technique was introduced by Yogananda, and Mahatma Gandhi was initiated into it. Yogananda was given the Paramahansa title in 1935 while in India. The book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' written by him is an international bestseller. Paramahansa Yogananda entered mahasamadhi on March 7th, 1952.
