The Back Story
Anthony and Yolanda De Andrade visited Holy Arunachala in 1996 and fell in love with the Presence in the ashram of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. This connection drew them back regularly in the following years, traveling from California and Hawaii, where they lived and worked, until they finally decided to build another home here.
For a while, the house remained unnamed, and they turned to their friends for suggestions. Anthony and Yolanda were already attracting people into their orbit like bees to honey, creating a space where loving friends could gather to share their hearts and thoughts on the journey to realization. One friend remarked, “This is a confluence of so many people, thoughts, approaches, and paths. ‘Sangam’ is the perfect name for what is happening here!”
The name stuck, and thus, ‘Sangam House’ came into being.
Anthony adds:
I cannot emphasize enough the invaluable contribution of Yolanda to the intention, essence, design, and vibrational energy of Sangam House.
The transformation of the house into a retreat space would not have been possible without the time, energy, and love of many individuals. I am especially grateful to Vimala Berrington, Linda Bonner (Bhakti), Emma Hummelen, and Karthik Karthikeyan.
Anthony, originally from Mumbai, spent most of his life in the U.S. after studying at MIT in Massachusetts. He had a small software business with a unique niche product for patent and trademark firms, which he sold in 2021. Since then, he has had the time to pursue other interests.
Yolanda, originally from the Netherlands, was a teacher in the Diamond Heart Approach and an Ambassador of the Gene Keys. In 2021, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, she passed away within four months, to everyone’s deep sadness. She was loved, admired, appreciated, and deeply respected by many friends and students. Her loving presence and love of beauty can be felt in every part of this house. Her influence continues to shape the conversion of the house into a retreat center.
The dramatic changes in Anthony’s life circumstances in 2021 led him to question the role of Sangam House. It quickly became clear to him that the original intention of welcoming friends to this sacred area could be expanded to include many more people.