Nithyananda
Paramahamsa Nithyananda (born Arunachalam Rajasekaran, c. January 1978) is an Indian Hindu spiritual leader and self-proclaimed incarnation of Paramashiva who founded the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam in 2001 and established the claimed sovereign Hindu nation of KAILASA in 2019. [1][2][3] Born in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, to devout Hindu parents, Nithyananda asserts early spiritual experiences and enlightenment, leading him to initiate programs for Hindu revival, including meditation techniques and scriptural revivals under the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita Shaivism. [4][5][6] His organizations operate internationally, offering initiatives like the Inner Awakening program, which followers credit with transformative experiences, and KAILASA, described by its adherents as a de jure Hindu nation providing asylum to persecuted Hindus, complete with passports, currency, and diplomatic outreach. [7][8][9] Nithyananda's claims include reviving ancient enlightened Hindu ecosystems and conducting large-scale rituals, attracting millions of devotees who regard him as an avatar capable of manifesting supernatural powers. [10][2] Facing multiple criminal charges in India since 2010, including allegations of sexual assault and abduction, Nithyananda left the country in 2019 and remains at an undisclosed location, with Indian courts issuing non-bailable warrants and dismissing his appeals as recently as 2025; he and his representatives maintain these proceedings stem from religious persecution. [11][12] KAILASA has pursued global engagements, such as UN committee appearances and city partnerships, though major governments, including Bolivia in 2025, have rejected its sovereignty claims amid disputes over land leases involving its emissaries. [13][14][15]