Considered the heart of Ananda Village, Crystal Hermitage includes the home of Ananda’s founder, Swami Kriyananda. The Crystal Hermitage Dome is the large round portion that overlooks the Yuba River gorge. The altar here includes Vedic statues and a white statue of Paramhansa Yogananda, the guru of Swami Kriyananda. From 1969 to 2013, Kriyananda used the dome for meditations, Kriya Yoga Initiations, and special community events.
Over the years, Crystal Hermitage has been visited by saintly guests from around the world, well-known healers, and other spiritual leaders. Stories abound about the healing vibrations of this place. Swami Kriyananda’s apartment and personal meditation room are part of the hermitage, open only during special meditations for residents.
The dining room and the meditation dome of Crystal Hermitage are open to the public each April during the tulip festival, Springtime at Ananda.