Shantikunj
Encyclopedia
Shantikunj is the headquarters of the spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP). Established in 1971 at Haridwar
, it has emerged over the years as a center of the global movement of Yug Nirman Yojana (Movement for the Reconstruction of the Era) for moral-spiritual regeneration in the light of hoary Indian heritage. Situated at the bank of holy Ganges and between the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas
, its also a place of attraction for tourists and seekers of spiritual guidance.
railway station towards Rishikesh/Dehradun on NH58 in India
. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport
, Dehradun, though Indira Gandhi International Airport
in New Delhi
is preferred.
Shantikunj was established in 1971 by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya on a small piece of land. Later it spread over a large area named as Gayatri Nagar. Several higher level spiritual practice camps were organised here under his guidance. In 1979 a satellite campus was added at a distance of 1/2 km south named as Brahmavarchas Shodh Sansthan (Research Institute).
Sharaddhanjali samaroh (1990) organised here in the memory of Acharya was attended by lakhs of devotees. In 1998 one more campus was added 1/2 km north named as Gayatrikunj. Now it is campus of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. In November 2000 Srijan Sankalp Vibhuti Mahayagya was organised here marking the completion of 12 years Yugsandhi Mahapurashcharan which was attended by 4 million devotees.
Shantikunj has been visited by several saints, leaders and scholars, including H.H.Dalai Lama
, Mahatma Anand Swami of Arya Samaj
, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (vice president of India), famous environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna
, Murari Bapu etc.
At present Shantikumj is functioning under Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, headed by Mrs. Shailbala Pandya, daughter of Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya.
born on 20 September 1911 in the villagae Anwalkhera, Agra
(UP) India. As a freedom fighter he also went jail thrice. In 1935, he embarked upon the task of social upliftment through spiritual means with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi
. He started a Hindi magazine Akhand Jyoti in 1940. In 1946, he married Bhagwati Devi Sharma. He established Gayatri Pariwar and for more than 20 years conducted its activities from Mathura. In 1971 he shifted its head office to Shantikunj Haridwar and spent his remaining life here, writing literature and directing the activities of the organisation.
Expansion of national unity, amity and brotherhood and extinction of ignorance, jealousy, hatred, and strife from globe are being attempted by popularizing Gayatri Mantra
, Yagya and Sanskaars
(sacramental rites), the adoption of which invokes celestial thoughts and inspires for divine deeds. The divinity may be seen firmly fixed in every activity of this holy pilgrimage center.
Occasional trainings of officers, and employees of Govt., local bodies, Corporations, Banks, factories etc. are also organized on:
elegant life style, organizational management, efficient working methodology, work culture, glory of labor, health, behavioral science, value of time, inculcation of discipline, duty consciousness, national integration.
For the all round development of villages and self-employment generation, 9 days training is also imparted to selected village folk. Training relates to:
agriculture, horticulture
, herbal production, Dairy and Cottage industries.
All these trainings aim at the all round development of the nation & integration of the country by inducing noble sentiments in the minds of individuals by adoption of scientific ways of spirituality, which can provide a remedy for all the ills afflicting the nation.
and Mantras.
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya Established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarnchal Government is a fully residential university run by Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj Haridwar. It provides different degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management
, Theology
(Dharm Vigyan), Spiritual Counseling etc. A new medical center is about to established.
Sri Ram PuramIt is the new extension of the shantikunj. place is established with the new residential buildings, a hospital, canteen, mega-teansheds.
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, it has emerged over the years as a center of the global movement of Yug Nirman Yojana (Movement for the Reconstruction of the Era) for moral-spiritual regeneration in the light of hoary Indian heritage. Situated at the bank of holy Ganges and between the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
, its also a place of attraction for tourists and seekers of spiritual guidance.
Location
Shantikunj is located 6 kilometers from HaridwarHaridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
railway station towards Rishikesh/Dehradun on NH58 in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport
Jolly Grant Airport
Jolly Grant Airport , also known as Dehradun Airport, is an airport serving Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.-Overview:The airport is located about southeast of the city of Dehradun. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the airport, after a runway extension to accommodate larger aircraft,...
, Dehradun, though Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport of the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, situated in West Delhi, 16 km southwest of New Delhi city centre. Named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, it is the busiest airport in India in...
in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
is preferred.
History
Sharaddhanjali samaroh (1990) organised here in the memory of Acharya was attended by lakhs of devotees. In 1998 one more campus was added 1/2 km north named as Gayatrikunj. Now it is campus of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. In November 2000 Srijan Sankalp Vibhuti Mahayagya was organised here marking the completion of 12 years Yugsandhi Mahapurashcharan which was attended by 4 million devotees.
Shantikunj has been visited by several saints, leaders and scholars, including H.H.Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
, Mahatma Anand Swami of Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda on 10 April 1875. He was a sannyasi who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas. Dayananda emphasized the ideals of brahmacharya...
, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (vice president of India), famous environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna
Sundarlal Bahuguna
Sunderlal Bahuguna is a noted Garhwali environmentalist, Chipko movement leader and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Non-violence and Satyagraha. His actual family name is Bandyopadhyay a common family name for Bengali Brahmin. About 800 years ago, three men from a Bandyopadhyay family...
, Murari Bapu etc.
At present Shantikumj is functioning under Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, headed by Mrs. Shailbala Pandya, daughter of Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya.
Patron founder
Pandit Shriram Sharma AcharyaShriram Sharma Acharya
Shriram Sharma was an Indian seer, sage, a prominent philosopher, a visionary of the New Golden Era, and the Founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, which has its headquarters at Shantikunj, Haridwar....
born on 20 September 1911 in the villagae Anwalkhera, Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
(UP) India. As a freedom fighter he also went jail thrice. In 1935, he embarked upon the task of social upliftment through spiritual means with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
. He started a Hindi magazine Akhand Jyoti in 1940. In 1946, he married Bhagwati Devi Sharma. He established Gayatri Pariwar and for more than 20 years conducted its activities from Mathura. In 1971 he shifted its head office to Shantikunj Haridwar and spent his remaining life here, writing literature and directing the activities of the organisation.
Aim
Shantikunj is devoted to cultural, ethical, moral and spiritual awakening and national integration. Development of divinity in mankind is the foremost goal and avowed objective. Pledged for national peace, prosperity, amity, love, goodwill and fraternity irrespective of region, religion, faith, caste, creed, sect etc., Shantikunj is a unique abode true to its name. Visitors of all faiths & linkages are visit the Ashram (Spiritual Center).Expansion of national unity, amity and brotherhood and extinction of ignorance, jealousy, hatred, and strife from globe are being attempted by popularizing Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra
The Gāyatrī Mantra is a highly revered mantra, based on a Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the Rigveda , attributed to the rishi . The mantra is named for its vedic gāyatrī metre. As the verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr, it is often called Sāvitrī...
, Yagya and Sanskaars
Sanskar
The Samskaras , are Vedic rites of passage finding varied acceptance among religious adherents of Hinduism, Jainism and some schools of thought in Buddhism...
(sacramental rites), the adoption of which invokes celestial thoughts and inspires for divine deeds. The divinity may be seen firmly fixed in every activity of this holy pilgrimage center.
Training camps
For upliftment of the moral, cultural, spiritual and ethical values, national integration and development of youths, various trainings are organized frequently. Amongst these, the regular ones are:- Nine days training of Sanjeewani Vidyaa (Art of Living & Art of Relating training camps)
- One month training of Yug Shilpi and Parivraajak (Art of Serving & Art of Leading training camps)
- Three months training for proficiency in Sangeet (music).
Occasional trainings of officers, and employees of Govt., local bodies, Corporations, Banks, factories etc. are also organized on:
elegant life style, organizational management, efficient working methodology, work culture, glory of labor, health, behavioral science, value of time, inculcation of discipline, duty consciousness, national integration.
For the all round development of villages and self-employment generation, 9 days training is also imparted to selected village folk. Training relates to:
agriculture, horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
, herbal production, Dairy and Cottage industries.
All these trainings aim at the all round development of the nation & integration of the country by inducing noble sentiments in the minds of individuals by adoption of scientific ways of spirituality, which can provide a remedy for all the ills afflicting the nation.
Other establishments
Brahmavarchas Shodh Sansthan Established in 1979, this Research Institute is dedicated for the scientific establishment of spirituality. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory, a library and a garden containing rare Ayurvedic herbs, it is working on unique projects like Yagyopathy, AyurvedaAyurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
and Mantras.
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya Established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarnchal Government is a fully residential university run by Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj Haridwar. It provides different degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management
Rural management
Rural management is the study of planning, organising, directing, and controlling of co-operatives, agribusiness and allied fields. It merges the knowledge of management studies and applying it in the rural context...
, Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
(Dharm Vigyan), Spiritual Counseling etc. A new medical center is about to established.
Sri Ram PuramIt is the new extension of the shantikunj. place is established with the new residential buildings, a hospital, canteen, mega-teansheds.
See also
- Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya
- Pt Shriram Sharma AcharyaShriram Sharma AcharyaShriram Sharma was an Indian seer, sage, a prominent philosopher, a visionary of the New Golden Era, and the Founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, which has its headquarters at Shantikunj, Haridwar....