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I heard about Yogi Ramaiah and very much wanted to meet him. I came to know that he frequently came to Malaysia. Then in 2006, I came across in a local Tamil daily that carried the news that he had passed away on 12.7.2006 in Malaysia and preparations were being made to bring him over to India. I rushed to the address where his mortal form was laid. I got to see his mortal frame. I paid my respects to him. He was placed at a temple for Babaji. There were not many people around then. Some devotees were chanting Babaji’s Naama Japa.
Ramaiah was born on May 9, 1923 at the mansion of SA Annamalai Chettiar, the Ananda Vilas, in Kanadukathan. His family had served Ramana Maharishi for 3 generations. Besides that a Sadhu, Chela Swami used to frequent their home.
Sadly Ramaiah contracted bone tuberculosis which stopped him from traveling to the USA to continue his studies. He was immobilzed for 6 years. His wife and servants cared for him at San Thome in Madras. Ramaiah used this time to read up on all the Indian spiritual literature. During these years, Prasanananda Guru aided him in meditation while Omkara Swami shared his knowledge of yoga. Ramaiah also published his first book based on Omkara Swami’s life, "A BLISSFUL SAINT." In 1952, he had a visit from Mauna Swami too, a disciple of Shirdi Sai Baba. Shortly afterwards, Ramaiah had a vision of Shirdi Sai Baba. He asked if Baba was his Guru. Baba replied, "No, but I will reveal to you who your guru is", and Ramaiah was shown his guru Babaji.
One day Ramaiah succumbed to the pain and misery that he was undergoing and decided to end his life by holding his breath. Suddenly he heard Babaji's voice telling him, "Do not take your life! Give it to me!" Surprised at the divine intervention Ramaiah surrendered to Babaji.
The next day, upon awakening, Ramaiah felt that he was healed. Summoning the doctors, and to everyone's astonishment Ramaiah was indeed healed completely. Soon Ramaiah regained the use of his legs. In another vision Ramaiah saw Babaji limping and questioned him. To his surprise, Babaji replied he was taking on Ramaiah's illness (bone tuberculosis)!
Ramaiah started chanting Babaji’s Nama Japam, "Om Kriya Babaji Nama Aum."
Meanwhile Ramaiah seeing an advert of VT Neelakantan’s book, No 9 BOAG ROAD based on Satguru Rama Devi, requested a copy. VT Neelakantan met Ramaiah at San Thome and hence began a friendship between the 51 year old Neelakantan and the 29 year old Ramaiah. Besides delivering the book, VT Neelakantan shared a secret with Ramaiah too. He was visited by Babaji at his prayer room in Madras every night!
Babaji through VT Neelakantan asked them both to collaborate to establish a Yoga society named after him, the Kriya Babaji Sangam in 1952 and its information arm the Kriya Yoga Magazine and to spread his teachings in a series of books, "THE VOICE OF BABAJI AND MYSTICISM UNLOCKED," "BABAJI'S MASTERKEY TO ALL ILLS," and "DEATH OF DEATH."
Later Babaji began appearing to Ramaiah too. Ramaiah now 31, was summoned to Badrinath by Babaji in 1954. After three days of wandering, Babaji revealed himself physically to Ramaiah. Ramaiah received training from Babaji in Kriya Yoga. Ramaiah was acquainted with Babaji's principle disciples too, Annai Nagalakshimi Deviyar and Dadaji.
Once back in Madras in 1955, Ramaiah continued his tapas and started the worship of Kali.
Hence he came to be known as Yogi Ramaiah.
Under the instructions of Babaji, Yogi Ramaiah, moved to Bombay with his wife, to study physiotherapy. While there he did many wonders, of curing the ill with his knowledge of yoga and physiotherapy. Soon he returned to Madras to practice.
From 1956 Yogi Ramaiah and his wife took to the road to preach, teach and heal, which brought them to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam. In 1954, Ramaiah initiated the "Parliament of World Religions and Yoga", which was then held annually. He published "SONGS OF THE 18 SIDDHAS" in 1968, based on preserved old palm leaf manuscripts of the writings of the 18 Siddhas that he had collected along the way over a span of 25 years.
After his wife passed away, he journeyed again to Malaysia and also to Australia and New Zealand before moving to the United States in 1968. From a small following, that formed the "American Babaji Yoga Sangam", it mushroomed to more than 50 yoga centers throughout the world. He built many holy shrines and temples too.
Based on Yogi Ramaiah's biography at http://www.babajiskriyayoga.net/english/articles/art25-yogi-ssa-ramaiah.htm, M.Govindan's BABAJI AND THE 18 SIDDHA KRIYA YOGA TRADITION, and Yogi Ramaiah's BABAJI GITA.