Bhagawan Nityananda (d. 1961) is renowned in western and southern India as one of the great modern saints. Also known as Bade Baba (elder Baba), he was the Guru of Swami Muktananda, who often said Bhagawan was a janma Siddha, a born Siddha or perfected yogi.

In his early years, Bhagawan Nityananda lived in seclusion in remote areas of Southern India. In later years he came to settle in the village of Ganeshpuri, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was there that he bestowed shaktipat on Swami Muktananda, who was later called Baba. Several years before he passed away, Bhagawan Nityananda instructed Baba to build an ashram a few miles from his own residence. This ashram is now known as Gurudev Siddha Peeth.

Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, the current head of this lineage of Siddha Yoga masters, continues to honor Bhagawan Nityananda as the contemporary source of the Siddha Yoga lineage. The temples to Bhagawan Nityananda -- in Shree Muktananda Ashram in upstate New York, and in Gurudev Siddha Peeth in Ganeshpuri, India -- scintillate with great spiritual energy.