Sivananda Math was founded by the great spiritual luminary, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, in 1984, in memory of his guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh. Since its inception it has facilitated the growth of the weaker and deprived sections of society, especially in the Rikhia panchayat, in the remote areas of Santhali Parganas of Jharkhand. What was once a deprived, desolate panchayat now flourishes with vitality and prosperity.
Sivananda Math aims to uplift the impoverished in rural and underdeveloped areas, not by creating a culture of dependency but by fostering peace, health, plenty and prosperity and above all self-sufficiency for one and all. The activities are not rendered as charity, rather as an aradhana or worship of God in human form based upon the highest vedantic teachings of atmabhava. The selfless service offered is an expression of the spiritual precepts of Swami Sivananda whose central teachings of 'serve, love and give' were bestowed by Swami Satyananda as the foundation of all activities at Rikhiapeeth.
The inspired vision of Swami Satyananda for Rikhiapeeth and the activities of Sivananda Math stretches further into the future than most of us will live to see in this lifetime. However, throughout 2010 we continued to witness the development and manifestation of this vision. This was made possible by the clarity of direction and strength of resolve that Swami Satyananda gave to the ever expanding and varied activities of Sivananda Math and the tireless efforts of the Peethadhishwari of Rikhiapeeth, Swami Satyasangananda. The upliftment of the impoverished in rural and underdeveloped areas, the mass awakening of consciousness and the spiritual revolution that was the life mission of Swami Satyananda is becoming a reality day by day.