In 1957, Karunakara Guru left Sivagiri and moved to a hut on a nearby hill. With the help of Khureshia Fakir, a Sufi saint, Karunakara Guru experienced several visionary experiences. In 1968, Karunakara Guru founded Santhigiri Ashram. After five years of meditation, prayers, and physical hardships, Karunakara Guru attained 'spiritual completion' in 1973. Following this, Karunakara Guru instructed his followers to adopt a worship system based on faith in one Universal God – the Brahman. The Santhigiri Ashram was advertised as open to all. Karunakara Guru would spend hours talking to people on spiritual matters. Many people visited him to receive guidance with personal and family-related problems. Guru’s devotees believe he was, and still is, after he left his body, the path to true knowledge and spiritual evolution. Karunakara Guru died on 6 May 1999.
