Nithyananda Explained

Nithyananda
Religion:Hinduism
Birth Date:1978 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Philosophy:Advaita Vedanta
Founder:Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam
Birth Name:Arunachalam Rajasekaran
Honorific Prefix:Swami

Nithyananda (born Arunachalam Rajasekaran; 1 January 1978), is an Indian Hindu guru and a self-styled "godman"[1] (a charismatic religious figure who claims to perform the miraculous). Following charges of rape and abduction filed in Indian courts, Nithyananda fled India and has remained in hiding since 2019.[2] He is the subject of a court-issued non-bailable warrant relating to the allegations.[3] [4] Nithyananda is also wanted since 2019 for unrelated fraud charges in France.[5]

He is the founder of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, a trust that owns temples, gurukulas, and ashrams in many countries. A number of mainstream news outlets, inside and outside India,[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] and a TV documentary series on Disney+[13] have referred to the organisation as a cult, its leader as a conman,[14] [15] and his micronation of Kailaasa a scam; his organization has denied any wrongdoing.

In 2020, he announced the founding of his own self-proclaimed island nation called Kailaasa,[16] [17] though some evidence suggests he had been promoting the idea for around 20 years.

Early life

Nithyananda was born Arunachalam Rajasekaran[18] [19] in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, to father Arunachalam and mother Lokanayaki. He belongs to the Saiva Vellala community. Sources conflict as to his birth date – a 2003 United States visa gave a date of 13 March 1977, while a sworn affidavit in a 2010 Karnataka High Court case mentioned 1 January 1978.

He was first noticed at the age of three by Yogiraj Yogananda Puri.[20] He claims to have had powerful spiritual experiences from age 12 and to have experienced full enlightenment at 22.[21]

In 2002 (age 24), he began his public life under the name Nithyananda.[22] He says that this name was given to him by Mahavatar Babaji in a mystical experience during his monastic wandering days in the Himalayas.[23] In 2003, he started his ashram Dhyanapeetam in Bidadi near Bangalore, Karnataka.[24]

Recognition

Nithyananda was formerly a chairman of Florida-based Hindu University of America.[25] In 2012, Nithyananda was recognized as one of the "100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People" by Watkins' Mind Body Spirit magazine.[26] Also in 2012, Nithyananda was appointed the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Adheenam.[27] [28] In February 2013, the title of Hindi: [[Mahamandaleshwar]] was conferred on Nithyananda in a closed ceremony by the Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara.[29] [30]

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, a religious organisation founded by Nithyananda, hosts cultural events in United States as well as India.[31] [32] [33] They hold two Guinness World Records: one for the largest rope yoga class,[34] and one for the largest pole yoga (mallakhamba) class.[35]

Teachings

Nithyananda has given discourses on various scriptures like Brahma Sutras, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Shiva Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.[36]

Claims of paranormal abilities

Nithyananda has made several pseudoscientific claims, including that he delayed the sunrise for 40 minutes, that he could make cattle speak in Tamil and Sanskrit, and that he could disprove the correctness of the mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc2.[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]

He has claimed to have discovered over 400 Hindi: [[siddhi]]s, or paranormal abilities, expressible by humans and alleges having initiated his disciples into 60 such powers[44] including Hindi: [[kundalini]] and third-eye awakening.[45] [46] [47] He has since asserted he would open the third eye, for anyone, free of charge by 2021, claiming that the person would be able to see through smog and walls.[48] Disciples of Nithyananda claim that he gave initiations through "third eye" to a class of 82 blind children,[49] thus curing them of blindness. Skeptic Narendra Nayak challenged Nithyananda to prove his claims.[50]

Nithyananda has also claimed that he and his followers were able to perform activities like extrasensory perception,[51] [52] [53] materialisation, body scanning, increasing height,[54] and remote viewing, and that they had the ability to find lost objects.[55]

Nithananda has also claimed to be a human avatar of the Hindu divinity Paramashiva (the meaning of his epithet Nithyananda Paramashivam).

Controversies

In 2010, Sun TV telecast video recordings that claimed to show Nithyananda and an actress Ranjitha (who was one of his followers) in a bedroom. The story became viral among news media in Tamil Nadu.[56] Nithyananda and Ranjitha claimed the video to be fabricated and accused Sun TV of extortion.[57] A forensic sciences laboratory in Bengaluru confirmed that the video appeared to be that of Nithyananda and Ranjitha.[58] Sun TV and other media channels since then were subject to various lawsuits.[59] [60] [61] Ranjitha filed a complaint with the High Court of Karnataka against news channels.[62] [63] Channels were ordered to apologize to Ranjitha for violating the complainant's privacy and dignity.[64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69]

In 2010, a United States citizen who was a disciple of Nithyananda accused him of raping her in the US and in India repeatedly over the course of five years.[70] She filed a complaint with the police department of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who did not commence any formal investigation.[71] She also filed a complaint with the Karnataka Police in India. On 19 February 2018, the Third Additional District and Sessions Court in Ramanagara ordered the framing of charges against Nithyananda and five others in relation to the case. Criminal revision petitions by the accused were dismissed in the Karnataka High Court on 16 May 2018.[72] An appeal against the High Court decision in the Supreme Court of India, in which all of the accused pleaded not guilty (except for one who was absent from court), was dismissed on 1 June 2018, following which charges were framed in the Ramanagara court on 4 June.[73] [74] In August 2022, the Third Additional District and Sessions Court in Ramanagara issued a non-bailable warrant against Nithyananda following multiple orders to appear in court.

In 2019, a couple from Tamil Nadu approached the High Court of Gujarat claiming that three of their four children were taken to Nithyananda's ashram in Ahmedabad from Bangalore without their knowledge; the couple sought return of their children to their custody. A first information report (FIR) for alleged abduction was filed by the Gujarat Police in relation to the case on 17 November 2019.[75] [76] [77] In affidavits filed in the Gujarat High Court from various locations in the Americas, two of the missing children, who were by that time adults, rejected their father's claim that they have been detained forcibly.[78] In a joint live video statement, the two girls further claimed that their father had plotted the abduction controversy after his name cropped up in an embezzlement case.[79] On 2 February 2024, the High Court of Gujrat dismissed the habeas corpus filed by the daughter's father. The court reached this conclusion after interviewing the daughters via video conference. The court noted that the daughters are adults and mature and are consciously residing at a place (Jamaica) and following a spiritual path.[80] [81]

Nithyananda was the subject of the 2022 Discovery+ docu-series My Daughter Joined a Cult, streamed internationally.[82]

Flight from India

On 20 November 2019, the Gujarat Police issued a statement that Nithyananda fled India after choosing not to appear at several court hearings. Some senior police officials did not discount the possibility that he was still in India.[83] Nithyananda wrote to the United Nations in 2021, claiming persecution and seeking recognition of his new "Hindu nation" Kailaasa.[84] He also claimed attempts at mob lynching and assassination as reasons he was forced to withdraw himself from Indian society.[85] [86] [87]

The Gujarat Police suspected that he could be shuffling between Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago, while news reports said that he may have gone to Ecuador because the country does not have an extradition treaty with India.[88] The same month, the Embassy of Ecuador said that it "categorically denies the statement wherever published that Nithyananda was given asylum by Ecuador or has been helped by the Government of Ecuador in purchasing any land or island in South America", but has confirmed Nithyananda had reached Ecuador after he left India, then left soon after his request for international personal protection (refuge) was denied.[89]

The French government also has been seeking Nithyananda's whereabouts since 2019, to answer for fraud charges brought by a former devotee in France who claimed he was cheated by the guru out of an amount around US$400,000.

Kailaasa nation

See main article: article and Kailaasa. In December 2019, Nithyananda claimed that he had created a new "Hindu nation" microstate called Kailaasa (also known as Shrikailasa, Kailasa, and United States of Kailaasa or USK[90]) and claimed to issue passports, currency, and other documents.[91] [92] [93] [94] Nithyananda claims that Kailaasa is the world's only sovereign Hindu nation.[95] Kailaasa has also been described as a network of non-governmental organisations spanning three continents.[96] [97] The general consensus among the mainstream press is that Kailaasa is a fictional "fake country" and even a scam or con.[98] [99]

Publications

Notes and References

  1. News: Sawer . Patrick . Joshi . Poonam . 11 December 2022 . Work of cult leader wanted by Indian police promoted in Houses of Parliament Diwali pamphlet . . London . limited . 12 December 2022.
  2. News: . 30 November 2023 . Paraguay official resigns after signing agreement with fictional country . 1 December 2023 . AP News . Associated Press.
  3. News: 19 August 2022 . Karnataka Bengaluru Highlights: Non-bailable warrant against controversial godman Nithyananda . 20 August 2022 . The Indian Express.
  4. News: 20 August 2022 . Karnataka: Court issues non-bailable warrant against Nithyananda . 20 August 2022 . The Siasat Daily.
  5. News: Pandey . Munish Chandra . 5 December 2019 . Now, French govt launches fraud investigation against rape-accused Nithyananda . 17 January 2024 . India Today.
  6. Web site: Stieb . Matt . How a Fake Hindu Nation Scammed Its Way Across America . 23 March 2023 . . "Intelligencer" department . 17 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Pundir . Pallavi . This Fake Country Is Run by a Guru Accused of Rape. How Did It End Up at the UN? . 24 March 2023 . . 17 January 2024.
  8. News: . Story of Swami Nityananda: From founding fake country Kailasa to entering UN, here's how he conned 30 US cities . 18 March 2023 . . Noida, Uttar Pradesh . 17 January 2024.
  9. News: Aitken . Peter . South American official fired after signing agreement with country made up by Indian 'holy' conman . 2 December 2023 . . 17 January 2024.
  10. News: Gowda . Varsha . Rise and fall of a controversial Godman . 17 June 2022 . . 16 January 2023.
  11. News: . Foreign ex-devotees raise the banner of revolt against godman Nithyananda . 7 December 2019 . . 17 January 2024.
  12. News: Creitz . Charles . Politicians, cities forging ties with fake Hindu cult leader reveals pitfalls of 'inclusivity': Buck Sexton . 19 March 2023 . . 17 January 2024.
  13. Web site: Suhani . Singh . 9 June 2022 . How documentary series 'My Daughter Joined a Cult' shines a light on India's obsession with godmen . 21 August 2022 . India Today.
  14. News: Medeiros . Dan . Fall River gave 'official proclamation' to Indian scammer guru who invented a fake country . 17 March 2023 . . Fall River, Massachusetts . 17 January 2024.
  15. Web site: . Nithyananda's Fake Nation 'Kailasa' Duped 30 US Cities With 'Cultural' Agreements: Report . 17 March 2023 . . 16 January 2023.
  16. News: 21 November 2019 . Nithyananda has fled India: Gujarat Police . . 21 August 2022 .
  17. Web site: Kumar . Ankit . 21 August 2020 . Exclusive: Behind Nithyananda's Kailaasa empire, a hidden maze of companies and NGOs . 21 August 2022 . India Today.
  18. News: All you want to know about Nithyananda . Raghunath . R. . 22 November 2019 . . 22 November 2019 . 0971-751X.
  19. Web site: Nithyananda may have forged birth documents . . . 24 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170104041121/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/59977/nithyananda-may-have-forged-birth.html . 4 January 2017 . live . 18 July 2018.
  20. Web site: On the run, Swami Nityananda arrested near Shimla hill station . . 21 April 2010.
  21. Dale . Edward . 2011 . Evolutionary Developmental Biology, the Human Life Course, and Transpersonal Experience . The Journal of Mind and Behavior . 32 . 4 . 280 . 43854311 . 0271-0137.
  22. The Unexpurgated Nithyananda Interview . . New Delhi . 12 August 2021.
  23. Book: Nithyananda, Paramahamsa . His Name is Nithyananda . Nithyananda Vedic Sciences University Press . 2006 . 978-1-934364-30-7 . 2nd . 6.
  24. Web site: 'I am a virgin. I have no libido' . 27 December 2020 . . West Bengal.
  25. Web site: Hindu University in US expands its Vedic base . 27 December 2020 . Rediff.com.
  26. Web site: Watkins' Spiritual 100 List for 2012 . 16 July 2020 . Watkins Magazine . 12 February 2012.
  27. Web site: Nithyananda declared 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam | Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam | Bidadi . 27 April 2012.
  28. Web site: Nithyananda 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam . 28 April 2012.
  29. Web site: Pandey . Sanjay . 13 February 2013 . Nithyananda feted at Mahakumbh . 14 December 2013 . Deccan Herald.
  30. Web site: 14 February 2013 . Nithyananda conferred 'Mahamandaleshwar' title . 9 October 2017 . Press Trust of India (PTI) . Rediff.com.
  31. Web site: . 19 April 2016 . Mahaniravani akhara takes out grandest peshwai of all . https://web.archive.org/web/20180621065911/http://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/mahaniravani-akhara-takes-out-grandest-peshwai-of-all/829254 . 21 June 2018 . 26 October 2017 . . Followers of Swami Nithyananda from more than 25 countries including Russia, USA, China, Mexico, Germany, France and Spain were the crowd pullers.
  32. Web site: Tripathi . Ashish . 17 March 2018 . Nithyananda moves SC against his removal as pontiff of Madurai Adheenam Mutt . 7 December 2019 . Deccan Herald.
  33. News: Rohit . Parimal M. . Temples Come Together to Celebrate 'Kumbh Mela USA' . India West . San Leandro, California . live . 18 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180717041645/http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/temples-come-together-to-celebrate-kumbh-mela-usa/article_f825f150-7e76-11e5-89c7-f3d1500afdd7.html . 17 July 2018.
  34. Web site: . 2017 . Search: rope yoga . 23 November 2017 . GuinnessWorldRecords.com . . The largest rope yoga lesson is of 272 participants and was organized by H.H. Sri Nithyananda Swami (India) and Nithyananda University (USA) in Bengaluru, India, on 30 September 2017. Rope yoga involves completing postures on a rope suspended from the ceiling. It was performed by disciples of Swami Nithyananda at their ashram outside Bengaluru, India..
  35. Web site: . 2017 . Search: pole yoga . 11 November 2017 . GuinnessWorldRecords.com . Jim Pattison Group . The largest mallakhamba lesson is of 263 participants and was achieved by H.H. Sri Nithyananda Swami (India) and Nithyananda University (USA) at Bengaluru, India, on 3 October 2017. Mallakhamba is a traditional Indian exercise form where yoga postures are done on a vertical wooden pole..
  36. Web site: 'I am a virgin. I have no libido' . 20 October 2021 . . West Bengal.
  37. Web site: Swami Nithyananda: I can make cows speak in Tamil and Sanskrit . 3 November 2018 . India Today. 19 September 2018 .
  38. News: From universe following him to cows speaking in Sanskrit, Swami Nithyananda has planned it all . . 3 November 2018.
  39. Web site: Vembu . Venky . Pseudo-science LOL: from Nithyananda to Sokal Squared . 20 August 2019 . @businessline . 10 October 2018.
  40. News: Viegas . Vanessa . 21 September 2018 . Nithyananda delivers a brain freeze . . 21 September 2018.
  41. News: Verma . Anurag . 18 September 2018 . 'E ≠ mc^2': Controversial 'Godman' Tries to Explain How Albert Einstein Got His Science Wrong, Fails . . 18 September 2018.
  42. Web site: Controversial seer Nithyanada says he stopped sunrise for 40 minutes in Bidadi . 20 August 2019 . Newsable.AsianetNews.com . Asianet News Network.
  43. Web site: Cows Will Talk in Tamil, Sanskrit, Self-styled Godman's Bizarre Claim . 20 August 2019 . NDTV.com.
  44. News: Saxena . Lalit . 2016 . नित्यानंद बोले ड्रग, डिप्रेशन और डेथ से बचाएगा डिवाइन पॉवर . hi . Nityananda to Save from Drugs, Depression and Death with Divine Power . Rajasthan Patrika / Patrika Ujjain . live . 7 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613013020/https://www.patrika.com/ujjain-news/kumbha-mela-nityananda-smiled-the-whole-time-utterly-unaffected-by-the-controversial-image-1280376/ . 13 June 2018 . Hindi: मनुष्य में कोई 400 प्रकार की अद्भुत शक्तियां हैं। ध्यान, सिद्ध अद्वैत योग का अभ्यास उन शक्तियों को जाग्रत कर सकता है। यह वैदिक विज्ञान है। इसमें किसी तरह का जादू नहीं है। अभी हम यहां शिविर में 60 प्रकार की ऊर्जा के विकसित स्वरूप के दर्शन कर सकते हैं, शेष 340 भी कर सकते हैं [There are about 400 types of amazing powers in humans. Meditation, practice of Siddha Advaita Yoga can awaken those powers. This is Vedic science. There is no magic in this. Right now we can see the developed form of 60 types of energy here in the camp, the remaining 340 can also be seen].
  45. News: नित्यानंद ने 70 लोगों को दी दीक्षा . hi . Nithyananda initiated 70 people . . 7 April 2018 . Hindi: कल्पतरु दर्शन शिविर में शनिवार को योगाभ्यास, सत्संग व कीर्तन के साथ 70 लोगों को स्वामी नित्यानंद ने गुरुमंत्र की दीक्षा दी। इस दौरान स्वामी नित्यानंद गुरुकुल के बटुकों द्वारा त्रिनेत्र शक्ति का प्रदर्शन किया गया। [During Kalpataru darshan on saturday along with yoga practise, satsang and devotional songs, 70 people were initiated into Gurumantra by Nithyananda. At the same time, children of Swami Nithyananda's gurukul school demonstrated third eye powers.].
  46. News: कल्पतरु दर्शन शिविर में त्रिनेत्र शक्ति का प्रदर्शन . hi . Third Eye power demonstration during Kalpataru Darshan . . 7 April 2018 . Hindi: नित्यानंद गुरुकुल के बच्चों द्वारा त्रिनेत्र शक्ति के तहत आखों पर पट्टी बाधकर पढ़ने और शरीर को स्कैन कर बीमारियों के बारे में बताते देख लोग आश्चर्यचकित रह गए [The children of the Nithyananda Gurukul with the power of the third eye read blindfolded and scanned the bodies of people and told about their diseases, experiencing this people were amazed.].
  47. Web site: 20 April 2016 . Nithyananda will do Kundalini Awakening and Third Eye Awakening . 6 October 2017 . Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam . Rajasthan Patrika / Patrika Ujjain . Paramahamsa Nithyananda is believed to be accomplished in many extraordinary spiritual powers. Swami-ji is specialized in the science of kundalini awakening, and science of third eye awakening..
  48. News: Swami Nithyananda will find you and open your third eye in 2021 . . IST . 21 August 2019.
  49. News: 24 January 2019 . Swami Nithyananda assures No More Blinds! . Afternoon Voice . According to the disciples of the self-styled Godman HDH Nithyananda Paramashivam on January 23, he initiated into powers of the third eye to 82 students afflicted by varying stages of blindness at a blind school in Vastrapur area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, claiming there will be No More Blind kids! As per the Nithyananda Hindu University, “Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam” initiated powers of the third eye to the blind children enabling them to read print material with consistency and stability while recognising shapes, pictures, objects, and colours for the first time in their lives..
  50. Web site: Nityananda's disciple 'curses' Narendra Nayak . 21 August 2019 . The New Indian Express. 6 December 2017 .
  51. News: 8 June 2015 . Girl, 9, reads, plays games blindfolded at Vedic Temple in Montclair . . 6 October 2017.
  52. News: . Nine-year-old 'Reads' Blindfolded at Business Advocacy Summit . India West . 6 October 2017.
  53. News: Miracle or magic? Girl reads blind-folded . India Herald . 1 October 2017.
  54. Web site: अमिताभ शाह ने किया दावा- नित्यानंद के आशीर्वाद से तीन इंच बढ़ गई लंबाई . Amitabha Shah claimed - by the blessings of Nithyananda 3 inch height increased . 10 July 2021 . . hi.
  55. Web site: 3 April 2018 . गुरु पुजा के बाद चला मुलाकात का दौर . After Gurupuja there were meetings . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010311/http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/03-apr-2018-edition-Gorakhpur-City-page_10-296-8475-56.html . 8 April 2018 . 7 April 2018 . . Hindi: बेंगलुरु के स्वामी नित्यानंद आश्रम में अलौकिक शिक्षा ग्रहण करने वाले छात्र नित्य तत्वानंद व प्रेमाश्वरूपानंद अपने गुरु भाई विद्वेश्वरानंद व आत्मपूजानंदम के साथ सोमवार को गोरखनाथ मंदिर में मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ से मिलने पहुंचे [Nithya Tatvananda and Premeshavrupananda who received extraordinary knowledge in Swami Nithyananda ashram in Bengaluru, along with their guru brother Vidveshvarananda and Aatmapujananda went to Gorakhnaath temple this Monday to meet with the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.].
  56. Book: Rao, Shakuntala . https://books.google.com/books?id=PgxvPXMk9c8C . Global Media Ethics: Problems and Perspectives . 2013 . John Wiley & Sons . 978-1-118-35982-2 . Ward . Stephen J. A. . 241 . Justice and Indian Journalism.
  57. Web site: Sex tape footage aired by Sun TV doctored: Nithyananda . NDTV.com . . 18 April 2019.
  58. Web site: Sex video and the Swami: Nithyananda and Ranjitha in 2010 tape, confirms forensic department . 23 November 2017 . . 18 April 2019.
  59. Web site: Reynolds . Matt . 6 March 2013 . Big Trouble at the Ashram . 27 December 2020.
  60. Web site: Nithyananda Peetam seeks action against Sun TV . 27 December 2020 . The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012 .
  61. News: PTI . 12 July 2011 . Ranjitha files complaint; alleges pictures were morphed . . 27 December 2020 . 0971-751X.
  62. Web site: Karnataka high court bans airing of 'Nithya sex tape' . March 2011.
  63. Web site: Karnataka High Court write petition dated 14 March 2012.
  64. Web site: Channel ordered to apologise to Ranjitha . The New Indian Express. 3 September 2013 .
  65. Web site: BCCC tells channel to apologise for airing 'morphed' video . 3 September 2013.
  66. News: Nithyananda cites U.S. experts to claim videotape is fake . The Hindu . 16 March 2012.
  67. Web site: In the matter of Complaint filed my Ms Ranitha.
  68. Web site: Press Council of India, Index of Adjudications 2010–11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220330080308/https://www.presscouncil.nic.in/OldWebsite/AR_Link/Index_of_Adjudications_2010-11_.pdf . 30 March 2022 . 12.
  69. Web site: Press Council of India, Compendium of Adjudications 2011–2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331130724/https://www.presscouncil.nic.in/OldWebsite/COMPENDIUM_OF_ADJUDICATIONS_2011-2012.pdf . 31 March 2022 . 172–175.
  70. Web site: 9 August 2018 . Rape case against Nithyananda: Trial finally begins after 8 years of legal hurdles . 22 December 2020 . The News Minute.
  71. Web site: 24 January 2020 . Rape Victim Thought She Was 'Having Sex With God' — More on Nithyananda Rape Case . 27 December 2020 . Frank Report . Frank . Parlato.
  72. Web site: 20 May 2018 . K'taka HC refuses to entertain pleas by Nithyananda, charges to be framed in rape case . 22 December 2020 . The News Minute.
  73. News: Karnataka trial court frames charges against Nithyananda in rape case. . 6 June 2018 . The News Minute.
  74. News: Setback for Nithyananda as SC dismisses discharge petition plea . 1 June 2018 . India Today.
  75. Web site: Rape case: Karnataka HC cancels Nithyananda's bail; Interpol red-corner notice might be next . 22 December 2020 . Times Now. 5 February 2020 .
  76. Web site: 22 November 2019 . Nithyananda and his many controversies . 22 December 2020 . The Indian Express.
  77. Web site: Interpol Notice Against Nithyananda, Wanted In Rape, Abduction Cases . 22 December 2020 . NDTV.com . New Delhi Television.
  78. Web site: 17 January 2020 . Nithyananda ashram case: Two 'missing' women file affidavit from 4th country . 31 December 2020 . The Indian Express.
  79. Web site: 23 November 2019 . Nithayananda ashram: Missing sisters may be in Trinidad & Tobago . 24 April 2021 . The Times of India.
  80. Web site: Singh . Bhavya . 2024-02-02 . 'Consciously Decided To Follow Spiritual Path': Gujarat HC Dismisses Plea By Father Against Swami Nithyananda For Alleged Unlawful Confinement Of Daughters . 2024-02-03 . www.livelaw.in . en.
  81. Web site: 2024-02-03 . Nithyananda Ashram case: Gujarat HC dismisses father's plea, rules daughters not in illegal confinement . 2024-02-03 . The Indian Express . en.
  82. Web site: 1 June 2022 . Discovery+ announces new original My Daughter Joined a Cult . Advanced-Television.com . 21 August 2022.
  83. Web site: How Nithyananditha landed up in Nepal . 10 July 2021 . . While the police are now in a limbo regarding his whereabouts, a senior official confided, 'You never know, he could still be in India.'.
  84. Web site: Srinivasan . Vasanth . Nithyananda and the call from Kailaasa . 24 April 2021 . . 6 December 2019.
  85. Web site: 21 December 2020 . Nityananda played patriotic card, says after death all my money will go to India . 25 December 2020 . News Track.
  86. News: Rape accused Nithyananda cites assassination threats for not coming back to India . . 21 December 2020 .
  87. News: Jagga Reddy's Poser to Police: Can cops kill Swami Nithyananda in encounter? . 8 December 2019 . .
  88. Web site: Where Is Nithyananda Now? And What Is Kailaasa? . 4 December 2019 . HuffPost India . 7 December 2019.
  89. Web site: Ecuador Says It Denied Nithyananda Asylum; MEA Says He Left India Without Passport . 7 December 2019 . . New Delhi . Foundation for Independent Journalism.
  90. News: Sebastian . Meryl . Nithyananda's Kailasa: UN to ignore remarks of fugitive India guru's fictional country . . 17 January 2024.
  91. Web site: 3 December 2019 . Nolan . Pinto . Rape-accused Nithyananda buys island, sets up own nation Kailaasa near Ecuador . 29 December 2020 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321163709/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/where-is-rape-accused-self-styled-godman-nithyananda-the-answer-lies-in-a-new-nation-1624879-2019-12-03 . 21 March 2023.
  92. Web site: Fugitive rape-accused Nithyananda declares his own Hindu island nation 'Kailaasa' near Ecuador . 4 December 2019 . . Noida, India . 4 December 2019.
  93. Web site: Nithyananda buys island, forms own 'nation' called 'Kailaasa' . 28 December 2020 . . Kochi, India.
  94. Web site: 2 September 2022 . Life in danger: Rape-accused Nithyananda seeks medical asylum in Sri Lanka . 3 September 2022 . India Today.
  95. Web site: 21 December 2020 . Himanshu . Mishra . Rape accused Nithyananda cites assassination threats for not coming back to India . 27 December 2020 . India Today.
  96. Web site: 21 August 2020 . Ankit . Kumar . Exclusive: Behind Nithyananda's Kailaasa empire, a hidden maze of companies and NGOs . 27 December 2020 . India Today.
  97. Web site: Nithyananda says 29 people applied to live in Kailasa, launches 'E-embassy' plan . 24 April 2021 . . Kochi, India.
  98. News: . Nithyananda's 'fake country' Kailasa cons 30 US cities with 'sister-city' scam: Report . 18 March 2023 . . 17 January 2024.
  99. News: Ghosh . Sanchari . How Swami Nithyananda's 'fake country' Kailasa fooled 30 US cities with 'Sister City' scam? Explained . 17 March 2023 . . Bangalore . 17 January 2024.

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