Patron - Founder Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya (1911 - 1990)
Shriram Sharma Acharya, a pioneer of spiritual renaissance was born on 20th September 1911, in Anwalkheda, Agra District. He carefully carried out the bidding of his Guru, a great Himalayan Yogi, when he was fifteen years of age. A sage, A Visionary and A Reformer. His personality was a harmonious blend of a saint, spiritual scientist, Yogi, philosopher, psychologist, reformer, writer, freedom fighter, researcher, eminent scholar & visionary. He pioneered the revival of spirituality and integrated the modern and ancient sciences.
" Self-refinement is the best service of the society. "
Personally authored more than 3000 inspiring pieces of literature. Translated almost the entire Indian Scriptures. Created new Puran - Pragya Purana - explains the philosophy of Upanishads.
Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma Ji
Born on September 1926, in a famous priestly family, Mata Bhagwati Devi (Mataji), was extraordinary in her own way and unlike other children, was not interested in regular childhood activities such as playing, etc. Instead, she was more interested in worshipping God. She spent most of her time singing devotional songs. Her favourite pastime was making the offering of the Bilva tree leaves at the idol of Lord Shiva, and writing "OM NAMAH SHIVAYA".
During the early stages of her education, she studied Bhagwat Gita and RamCharit Manas. After her marriage to Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya (Gurudev), Mataji took over the responsibility of looking after visitors and guests. She willingly donated all her personal jewellery, which she received at her wedding, to Gurudev's Yug Nirman Yojna (mission for the creation of a new Era), for the establishment of Gayatri Tapobhumi at Mathura. This is the place where a grand 1008 kundiya Gayatri Mahayagna took place in 1958. In 1960, when Gurudev went to the Himalayas, Mataji took over Gurudev's responsibilities such as editing and publishing various magazines, administration of Gayatri Tapobhumi, and Yug Nirman Yojna, etc. When Gurudev returned, he declared celebration of Grand 1008 kundiya Gayatri Yagnas at Porbander in Gujarat, Baharaich in Uttar Pradesh, Mahasamund in Madhya Pradesh, Bhilwada in Rajasthan, and Tatanagar in Bihar.
Mataji took an active role in all of these activities. At the same time, more than four thousand branches of Gayatri Pariwar, all over the country, were started. By then, Yug Nirman Yojna's mission had spread all over India; and there was a significant readership of various magazines of Mission. In 1975, under the leadership of Mataji, Mahila Jagran Abhiyan (movement for the emancipation of women) was initiated. Soon, about 4000 branches of Mahila Jagran Abhiyan were established with more than one million active participants. Its work was not limited to mere Slogan-raising, but also women's education, economic self-support, sacramental rites and acquiring self-respect, abolition of dowry and fight against the discrimination of women. Mataji considered everyone as part of her family. It was of prime importance to her, to arrange for their comfortable stay and spiritual guidance. It would not even come close if compared to all the comforts and luxuries that one would receive in a luxurious hotel.
Such was the love and affection that people enjoyed from her. People do not come to Shantikunj as tourists, but come to recharge themselves and experience peace and tranquillity in their personal lives. Mataji's physical presence was, thus, very essential at Shantikunj. It was this consideration for the welfare of the Parijans that prevented her from leaving Shantikunj for more than 20 years. Occasionally, she used to go for an evening walk with Gurudev to the bank of the Holy River Ganges.
When Gurudev took maha samadhi on June 02, 1990, Gayatri Jayanti day, Mataji took over all the responsibilities of the mission and carried them over with great courage. In October 1990, under Mataji's guidance, Grand Shraddhanjali Samaroh, a program to pay homage to Gurudev, was organized. Over 15,00,000 devotees from all over the world participated in it, and resolved to carry on the works of Gurudev, for dissemination of the philosophy of Gayatri and Yagna. In 1992, on Gayatri Jayanti Day, Mataji disclosed Gurudev's message from subtle and astral realms for the spread of Dev- Sanskriti (divine Indian culture or religious culture) all over the world for which series of Grand Ashwamedha Yagyas were to be performed. The series of Ashwamedha Yagnas started in Jaipur in Nov.1992. Till now, twenty-seven such grand Ashwamedha Yagnas have been celebrated in INDIA and abroad, besides the grand Anwalkheda (birthplace of Acharyaji near Agra, city of Taj) Pratham Poornahuti Samaroh in 1995. Mataji attended eighteen of them. It was for the first time that Mataji visited UK, Canada and USA in three Ashwamedh yagnas in Leicester-UK, Toronto - Canada and Los Angeles - USA.
Mataji initiated millions of people into Gayatri Mantra and with this, a new wave of character-building and social reform started. Mataji too, withdrew to the astral realm, to join her aradhya satta there, on September 19, 1994, Bhadrapad Mahapoornima Day. This was done so that both of them could work together, as collaborators of the immortal Rishis and sages of the Himalayas, (who are the guides and Guardian Angles of the Soul of the Earth), for ushering in a new Era in the Twenty-first century.