All World
Gayatri Pariwar

GAYATRI TEERTH, SHANTIKUNJ
ASHRAM COMPLEX - A GLIMPSE

Shantikunj Gayatri Teerth Ashram complex is the embodiment of the vision of Yugrishi saint-seer -philosopher par excellence, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (Gurudev to his devotees), who was born on September 20, 1911 in village Anwalkheda in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He voluntarily shed his physical sheath on Gayatri Jayanti Day on June 2, 1990 to be able to carry forward his Mission with manifold effectiveness from the subtle realm. It is the headquarters of the Global Gayatri Mission and has emerged over the years as a unique center and fountainhead of a global movement for moral, ethical and spiritual regeneration of humanity in the light of the perennial wisdom of the hoary Indian heritage. Gayatri Mission Pariwar, has more than twenty million devotees and another seventy million persons as followers and wellwishers spread all over the world. The Yugrishi founded Shantikunj in 1971, when he finally bid goodbye to Gayatri Tapobhoomi Mathura at the bidding of his own Master.

The gist of Acharyashri’s message is the awakening of human consciousness to a higher and nobler realm of light, love and life suffused with peace, harmony and joy. Vandniya Mata Bhagvati Devi Sharma (adored as the emanation of Mother Durga by the Gayatri Pariwar parijans) has been the foremost collaborator and disciple of Gurudev. She contributed immensely in giving concrete shape to the ideals and dreams of her soulmate. Mataji withdrew to the subtle / invisible realm on Bhadrapad Poornima in 1995. The smooth working of this worldwide movement is based on voluntary daily contribution of a minimum of fifty paisa, one handful of grains and one hour’s service towards furtherance of the aims and objects of the Mission by millions of its devotees.

Peace, prosperity, amity, love, goodwill and fraternity irrespective of region, religion, faith, caste, creed, sect etc. are avowed aims of Gayatri Mission. True to its name, Shantikunj is a living and vibrant Abode of Peace. Thousands of visitors who go around the various departments of the Ashram’s activities are visibly moved and touched by the all-pervading vibrations of warm welcome and goodwill with which they are treated.

The central thrust of Gayatri Mission’s efforts is the inculcation of national unity, amity and brotherhood and removal of ignorance, outmoded customs, jealousy, hatred, and strife through the popularization of Gayatri Mantra, Yagya and Vedic Sanskars, amongst the masses, by making them aware of their soul-uplifting significance.



Brahmavarchas Shodh Sansthan

The founder-patron of the Mission was of the firm view that in this scientific era, spiritual principles and religious rituals and rites can be accepted by the elites as well as the masses only when they are scientifically validated and their relevance for a nobler way of life practically demonstrated. Towards this end, he established a research institute of scientific spirituality, known as Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan in 1979. Situated at a distance of less than a kilometer from the main Ashram, on the banks of the holy Ganga, it is a unique center of research. Dedicated to the pursuit of integration of Science with Spirituality, it conducts fundamental and applied researches in the esoteric realm of Gayatri Mantra - the fundamental fount of cosmic knowledge and energy, which lies dormant in the human psyche. Investigations are made on the beneficial effects on the Sadhak’s body, mind and intellect of Gayatri Sadhana; herbal and Aurvedic medicines; and fumes emitted from the Yagya of various medicinal plants. Rigorous research is also conducted on the purificatory effects of Yagya fumes on the environment. Scientific principles underlying Yagyopathy are also being analyzed. Healing and refining effects of Yagya on the physical, subtle and causal bodies, too, are under investigation with a view to scientifically establishing the validity of Yagyopathy as an alternate therapy.

Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

Another noteworthy contribution of great significance is the establishment in 2002 of a university of its own kind, with the avowed object of imparting integrated education based on scientific spirituality and a refined and noble path of living, which may set an example before the human race of a way of life founded on selflessness, loving kindness, mutual understanding and awakened awareness of interconnectedness of all that exists.

Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya has been developed on the pattern of Takshshila and Nalanda, the two glorious universities of immortal fame of ancient times, initially with four faculties of Sadhana (Self-discipline and refinement), Shiksha (Education), Swasthya (Health and Healing) and Swavlamban (Self-reliance).


Network of Gayatri Mission

The Mission has a global network of about 4000 Shaktipeeths-Pragya Peeths, 25,000 Pragya Sansthans, 30,000 Swadhyaya Mandals etc., which regularly organize satsangs, discourses and discussions on various problems in their areas to advance the noble cause of the Mission. They serve as local centers, of which Shantikunj is the Headquarters.

Rich Literary Legacy of Gurudev – Subjectwise Classification

Gurudev was also blessed with an exceptional gift of literary talent, which is evident in more than 3000 books written by him. These are in the process of compilation into 108 volumes of “Vangmaya”, 70 of which have already been published. His writings encompass the whole gamut of moral, cultural, ethical and spiritual heritage of India especially and of humanity in general. He initially started a monthly magazine “Akhand Joyti” in 1937 in Hindi with a humble beginning of 250 copies, circulation of which has now risen to 15 lakhs per month. It contains articles on moral, cultural, spiritual, ethical and social topics, national integration, amity, and brotherhood. There is hardly any subject of human well-being and interest from the most mundane to the highest level of spirituality, which remains untouched by this magazine. Akhand Jyoti is now also being published in Gujrati, Marathi, Uriya, Tamil, Telgu, Bangla and English.

Outreach

After the magnificent 1008 Kundi Maha Yagya in 1958 performed at Gayatri Tapobhoomi, Mathura, the Mission performed 24 similar Gayatri Mahayagyas in various parts of India between 1958-1970 in each of which 2 to 3 lakh persons participated. Besides these, 28 Ashwamedha Yagyas (in India and abroad) were also organized between 1993-95 for global awakening of people, in each of which 10 to 15 lakh people took part. Two Yug Sandhi Mahapurashcharanahuti yagyas were also organized: first in 1995 at the birthplace of Revered Gurudev at village Anwalkhera, Agra, in which several lakh people participated and the second at Hardwar in 2000 in which almost ten million devotees participated.

Besides the performance of gigantic Yagyas, more than 250 Sanskar Mahotsawas were also organized in different parts of the country for revival of the ancient practice of Sanskaras in the most elegant manner, which converted hundreds of hard-core criminals into refined human beings. In this way, the Mission has been serving as a unique spiritual sanatorium for people of all walks of life in India and abroad.      

Training and Sadhana Camps / Retreats

For inculcation of the moral, cultural, spiritual and ethical values, national integration and development of the youth, various training camps /retreats are organized regularly. Amongst these, 9-day training camp of Sanjeewani Vidya, one-month training camp of Yug Shilpis and Paribrajaks, three-month training for proficiency in Music have been the regular features of the training activities of the Mission. Occasional trainings of officers, and employees of central and state governments, local bodies, corporations, banks, factories etc. are also organized on “Art of Living”, organizational management, efficient working methodology, work culture, dignity of labor, health, behavioral science, value of time, inculcation of discipline, duty consciousness, national integration, etc. For the integrated development of villages and self-employment generation, 9-day training is imparted to selected rural youth.  This relates to agriculture, horticulture, herbal plant production, dairy and cottage industries, etc.

Temples of Prakhar Pragya and  Sajal Shraddha

The splendid Prakhar Pragya and Sajal Shardha, two tiny temples made of marble, near the main entrance of Shantikunj contain the marble footprints of Param Poojya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji respectively. These are sources of inspiration for self- enlightenment and fulfillment of noble aspirations for thousands of men, women, newly-wed couples and children who daily offer their prayers at these temples for peace, prosperity and success in their lives. Just in front of these tiny temples is the Samadhisthal of Gurudev and Mataji made of sparkling granite stone, which is suffused with celestial vibrations of the two divinised beings, who are revered as spiritual guides by millions of their devotees.

Akhand Deep

“Akhand Deep” (perpetually lighted lamp), which was initially lighted by Gurudev on Basant Panchmi day in 1926, has been kept uninterruptedly lighted since then and is kept for daily Darshan on the first floor of the Rishi-duo’s abode in Shantikunj. In front of this flame, Gurudev performed 24 Mahapurashcharanas of 24 lakh japas of Gayatri Mantra each, over a period of 24 years. On their completion, he organized a 1008 Kundi Gayatri Mahayagya in 1958 at Gayatri Tapobhoomi, Mathura, which resulted in the attainment of immense supernatural powers by him for the furtherance of the noble mission of human upliftment and inspired lakhs of people who participated in it. Darshan of this Akhand Deep with faith bestows divine gifts on believers. Thousands of men, women and children daily file past it prayerfully every morning.

Devatma Himalaya

It is a miniature model of the sacred Himalayas from Jamanotri to Badrinath, where ancient Rishis and saints have lived over the millennia and performed their Tapasya for wellbeing of humanity . Built on a circular base, and with an oval shaped dome, it provides a sacred and quiet niche for meditation. It can accommodate hundreds of persons at a time for meditation. With audiovisual feedback from multimedia projection Dev Sanskriti is also exhibited within its sacred precincts. Devatma Himalaya is surrounded by lush green vegetation and a nursery of medicinal plants and beds of flowers.

Yagyashalas

Owing to enormous increase of visitors and devotees, the Ashram has expanded its residential and other facility manifold during the last one decade. Many new buildings have been constructed. Three commodious canopies for performing Havan have been constructed which present a memorable sight in the morning hours, when thousands of saffron-clad devotees perform Yagya in the blazing flames of yagya kundas with chanting of Mantras. All the Sanskaras are also performed in morning time, in various canopies and buildings in the Ashram complex, free of cost.

Medical Facilities

Well-equipped dispensaries of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Allopathy are run in the Ashram, where qualified doctors render free service. Medicines are also supplied free of cost as per medical prescriptions. They also render free advice for maintenance of sound health and improvement of natural immunity of the body organism.

For detailed information contact
Email:shantikunj@awgp.org; shaildel2@yahoo.com
Websites: www.awgp.org; www.dsvv.org