Swami Satyamitranand Ji Giri
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Swamiji was born on the 19th September 1932, on the day of Ashweeja Krishna Chaturthi, in the city of Agra. His Parents named him Ambika Prasad. During his early years, Ambika Prasad spent most of his time with his doting maternal grandparents, where he became absorbed in Satsang and Prayers.
Ambika Prasad proceeded to study in a Sanskrit school in Kanpur. He studied the Vedas and modern education and passed the M A degree examination at Agra University. Ambika Prasad also acquired a degree in Sahitya Ratna, the highest degree in Hindi language and Literature. His passion for learning earned him the coveted degree of Shastri from Varanasi Vidya Peeth. At this point in time, Ambika Prasad decided to take the path of Sanyasa. In Rishikesh, he came into contact with the revered Swami Vedavyasananda, who accepted him as a disciple, conferred Sanyas and named him Satyamitranand.
At the young age of 27, Swamiji was coronated Jagatguru Shankaracharya. In 1969 he abdicated this prestigious status to serve the humanity. He has traveled far and wide and it’s the gift of his deep spiritual experience and power of the most effective oratory skills that has drawn thousands of loving devotees to him.
He is the founder of Bharat Mata Mandir, a famous temple in Haridwar, which was inaugurated by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 15 May 1983. He founded Samanvaya Seva Foundation in 1988 with the objective of helping poor people from tribes and hilly areas by providing them free education and medical facilities. He has also established Samanvaya Parivar, Samanvaya Kutir, many ashrams and many other social, spiritual and religious programs. Swami Satyamitranandji Giri was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in the year 2015.
Caring little for own health and comfort, he has comforted, dedicated thousands, spread spiritual awareness and carved deep impression amongst masses. For almost four decades he has been striving tirelessly to raise the quality and dignity of life of his fellow human being settled in flung corners of the world.
Swamiji is gifted with deep spiritual experience, a captivating personality and a power of the most effective oratory skills. To listen to him is a treat.
His wealth of inner bliss and saintliness, of his infinite love and compassions, of his mastery of scriptures and brilliant synthesis of Indian darshans, give his discourses a rare quality. They are full of startling metaphors, poetic analogs, vivid symbols, homely illustrations and original interpretations of Vedic literature.
1. They uplift the down trodden,
2. Awaken the inquisitive and educated,
3. Highlight our values and culture,
4. Free thousands from tangles of life,
5. They have purged masses of malpractices, addictions, superstitions,
6. Motivated millions towards philanthropy,
7. Initiated camps (shibirs) for the diseased and disabled,
8. Resulted in massive ‘gyan yagnas’ to interpret and disseminate scriptural knowledge and sponsor and sustain spiritual quest,
9. Initiated constructions/renovations of several temples in many cities of the world.
www.swamisatyamitranand.net
www.bharatmatamandir.co.in
Jai Jalaram
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Shree Jalaram Bapa was born in the year 1799 (i.e. 4-11-1799) in the village Virpur, Gujarat. His mother, Rajbai was very fond of serving sadhus and saints. No sadhu and saint could go from Virpur without receiving the hospitality Rajbai. Shree Jalaram Bapa’s father’s name was Pradhan Thakkar, who was engaged in business. At the tender age of 16, Jalaram Bapa married Virbai, daughter of Thakkar Pragji Somajia. Jalaram Bapa was however not inclined to live household life and to continue to do business with his father. He is mostly engaged in serving sadhus and saints. He separated himself from his father’s business and stayed with his uncle, Valjibhai, who was very fond of Jalaram.
It was obvious that Jalaram Bapa was inclined to completely withdraw from marital life. At the age of 18, Jalaram Bapa accepted Shree Bhojalram from Fatehpur as guru and was given a “Guru Malaa and Mantra” in the name of Shree Ram. With blessings of his guru, he started “Sadavrat” a feeding center, a place where all sadhus and saints, as well as the needy, could have food any time during 24 hours. Nobody returned from that place without having food. All this he did single handed with Virbaima assisting him. Soon his fame spread as an incarnation of the divine. Whoever came to Virpur, whether Hindu or Muslim was fed by Bapa.
Family
Jalaram Bapa and Virbai had a daughter named Jamnaben from their marriage. Jamnaben’s grandson Harirambahi was adopted by Shri Jalaram Bapa and his direct descendant, Giridhar Bapa and now his son Jaisukhram Bapa now head the gadi of revered Virpur shrine of Jalaram Bapa.
Virpur
It is the birthplace of Shree Jalaram Bapa.The main shrine of Jalaram Bapa is located at Virpur. The shrine is actually the house complex where Jalaram lived during his lifetime. The shrine houses the belongings of Jalaram and the deities of Rama, Sita, Lakshamana and Hanuman worshiped by him. It also has on display the Jholi and Danda said to be given by God. But the main attraction is the portrait of Jalaram Bapa. There is also an actual black and white photo of Jalaram Bapa, taken one year before his death.
The temple is one of a kind in the world in a way that it has not been accepting any offerings since 9 February 2000