Raka “Pushpa” Bandyo

Raka Pushpanajali Bandyo (Pushpa) is the first generation of an Indian family to be born and raised in the United States. Her father was the pandit (ceremonial officiant) for her community growing up, just as his father and his grandfather for generations. Her mother taught her meditation and the teachings of Sri Rama Krishna Parahamsa and Sarada Ma from a young age. She is a Jyotish Vedic Astrology and Mantra Shastra student of Pandit Sanjay Rath, was initiated in mantra by the RamaKrishna mission, and is both student and teacher of Odissi Classical Indian Dance and Ayurveda.