Mahavatar Siddhar Babaji Nagaraj was born on 30th November 203AD and is reputed to still be alive today, living near Badrinath in the Himalayas. Babaji learned Kriya Yoga from the great siddhas (ascended masters) Sri Bhoganathar and Sri Agasthiar and taught the method to two direct disciples: Lahiri Mahasaya (1828-1895) and Yogi SAA Ramaiah (1923-2006). Lahiri Mahasaya initiated his disciple, Sri Yukteswar Giri (1955-1936) into Kriya Yoga, who in turn passed on the tradition to Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952). Swami Shankarananda was initiated into the Kriya Yoga technique of Babaji Nagaraj by Yogi SAA Ramaiah during January 2000 and has a close affiliation with Paramahansa Yogananda.