Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952)
Popularly known as Paramahansa Yogananda, Mukunda Lal Ghosh was an Indian monk, yogi, and guru. Born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1893, he showed a deep awareness of the spiritual realm from a young age. In 1915, he graduated from Calcutta University and went on to become part of the monastic Swami Order. He went on to establish a non-profit and spiritual organization called, the Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India in 1917, and the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920, to impart his teachings on the science and philosophy of yoga and meditation. However, his life's work has been centred on the practice of Kriya Yoga, which is said to be the science of God-realization. His teachings on Kriya Yoga and meditation are widely followed and respected in the West, especially the USA, where he lived for 32 years. Over the years, he has influenced millions of people across the world with his principles on life and health, involving the nourishment of mind, body, and soul.