Swami Shivananda created this religious institution in 1936.
It is headquartered in the Divine Life Ashram, which is located just outside of Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh, on the Ganges River.
Despite the fact that Shivananda died in 1963, the society is still very active in spreading Hindu values: through yoga (self-discipline) training programs at the Divine Life Ashram; publishing religious texts, both traditional scriptures and Swami Shivananda's teachings; establishing religious centers around the world; and various social service projects.
Swami Shivananda was a Dashanami Sanyasi (ascetic) of the Saraswati division, which is one of the few brahmin divisions (priests).
The Swami's brahmin roots are evident in the organization's teachings, which emphasize vegetarianism, rigorous spiritual growth, a focus on study, and adherence to a stringent moral code.
Despite having a large number of foreign practitioners, the organization is well valued in Indian culture for all of these reasons.
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