Totapuri

Who was Totapuri?

'Ishwar Totapuri is not the same Totapuri we are discussing here. Most likely Sri Iswar Totapuri was a disciple of Totapuri Maharaj. As we have studied on him, we know that he was most likely born at Hinglaj in border area Of erstwhile Punjab and NWFP now fall under Balochistan of Pakistan some time in the year 1630AD. The Head of Monastery at Hinglaj. Totapuri Maharaj' affectionately known as "Nangta Baba", born likely in Hinglaj now in Baluchistan, Pakistan in a border village to Erstwhile Punjabi Suba of Mughal India. He, was a parivrajaka who have followed the path of the of Advaita Vedanta towards 18th. Some confusion has arisen due to the meager information that exists on Totapuri even in the minds of monks in Ramkrishna Mission.

By the time he arrived at Dakshineswar Temple in 1864, he was a wandering monk of the Dasnami order of Adi Shankara, and head of a monastery in the Punjab claiming the leadership of seven hundred sannyasins. He is said to have initiated Ramakrishna into Advaita Vedanta, as well as Anandpuri Ji from the Advait Mat tradition.