His mother was Hindu, his father was Sikh, and his schooling was Catholic. Harbhajan Singh Puri was born on Augin modern-day Pakistan. Leadership hired consultants to advise on a process of “compassionate reconciliation.” Akal Security ceased operations.Īs was the case for many of the alternative religions that originated in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, the Healthy Happy Holy Organization (3HO) grew up around a central charismatic figure. An organization was hired to investigate accusations.Ģ020-2021 The investigation found reason to believe that Bhajan engaged in sexual abuse and harassment. It was renamed in 2011 as the Sat Nam Fest and became a regular event.Ģ011: Members of Sikh Dharma International reacted to the restructuring of the businesses by bringing suit in Sa rdarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, et al v Kartar Singh Khalsa et al and State of Oregon v Siri Singh Sahib Corporation et al.Ģ012: A court settlement was made final, and the Bhajan-related organizations began to restructure and plan for the future.Ģ019: An ex-member, and a central figure in the early years of 3HO and Sikh Dharma, Pamela Saharah Dyson (who was named Premka by Yogi Bhajan), published her memoir.Ģ020: In reaction to Premka’s memoir, members and ex-members revealed incidents of abuse. Many individuals left the ashram.ġ986: Two women ex-members brought a suit against Bhajan, the 3HO Foundation, Sikh Dharma Brotherhood and the Siri Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma (a business holding company) on a number of counts.ġ994: The International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association was formed as 3HO began to focus increasingly on training yoga teachers.ġ996: Sikhnet, a digital resource for Sikhs worldwide, was launched.ġ997: The Miri Piri Academy was established in Amritsar, India, the most recent of several Indian boarding schools to which many members sent their children.Ģ003: As his health deteriorated, Bhajan centralized control of the profit and non-profit businesses.Ģ007: Management sold the bakery business.Ģ010: The first Kundalini Yoga and Music Festival was held in the fall. It grew into a successful national company.ġ984: Many leaders at the Espanola ashram left the organization complaining of intense discipline and excessive structure.ġ985: The head of the Washington ashram was arrested and indicted on drug smuggling charges. Bhajan had arranged many of the marriages.ġ983-1984: The Yogi Tea Company was established. It began by providing security to local businesses and later grew to become a major national security business.ġ980s: Ashrams consolidated as many adherents established families and moved to the suburbs from urban areas. Some of Bhajan’s students participated in the European Yoga Festival.ġ976: The Golden Temple of Oregon Inc., a bakery and distribution business, was established, combining previously existing smaller businesses.ġ977: 3HO celebrated its first Summer Solstice, beginning a lasting tradition of solstice events.ġ980: Akal Security was created.
Approximately ninety-four ashrams created.ġ974: The Khalsa Council was established as an administrative body for Sikh Dharma. The Sikh Dharma Brotherhood was incorporated and the Guru Ram Das gurdwara was established in Los Angeles.ġ972-1974: Students established ashrams/teaching centers beyond Los Angeles, many quite small. They originally stayed with Virsa Singh, who Bhajan referred to as his yoga teacher, but then left his center and began to visit Sikh sites, including the Golden Temple and Akal Takht, where Bhajan was received by authorities.ġ972-1973: Bhajan’s students increasingly embraced Sikhism, and Sikh prayers were added to an already established morning yoga and meditation practice. Bhajan spoke and taught yoga at solstice celebrations and music festivals.ġ971: Bhajan and eighty-four students traveled to India.
He and students then founded the Healthy Happy Holy Organization. HEALTHY, HAPPY, HOLY ORGANIZATION (3HO) TIMELINEġ929 (August 26): Harbhajan Singh Puri (Yogi Bhajan) was born.ġ968 (September): Yogi Bhajan arrived in Canada from India.ġ969-1970: Bhajan settled in Los Angeles and briefly taught yoga at the YMCA and the East West Cultural Center.