In 1970, a 16-year-old boy at the time, Sacinandana Swami set off to introduce himself to the Hare Krishna community in Germany and began the life of learning, teaching and traveling that he continues to this day. In 1987 he became an initiating guru in ISKCON, and in 1989 took sannyasa. Sacinandana Swami has made a number pilgrimages to holy places in India, often travelling to Vrindavan for intensive 'japa' retreats. He also visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Mount Kailash, Ahobilam, Srirangam, Melukote, and Tirupati throughout his travels.