His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and present spiritual head of BAPS. He was born on September 13, 1933 in India. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Anand Agricultural University, His Holiness was initiated as a swami in 1957. Since initiation, he has observed vows of poverty, celibacy, and humility that are the bedrock of his life and a testament to his spirituality. For decades, His Holiness has relentlessly traveled throughout India and the world to inspire and counsel countless devotees.
On July 20, 2012, Pramukh Swami Maharaj revealed Mahant Swami as his spiritual successor. Following the passing of Pramukh Swami Maharaj on August 13, 2016, Mahant Swami Maharaj assumed the leadership of the organization. As the spiritual leader of BAPS, His Holiness has continued Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s tradition of continuous travel to meet and provide guidance to devotees across India and the world.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the spiritual head of BAPS from 1971 until his passing in 2016. He led an ascetic life without personal wealth. His compassion for humanity and caring nature have touched and inspired countless people.
His inspiring call, “In the joy of others, lies our own…” reflects the spirit of his life and work. Pramukh Swami Maharaj traveled from large cities to remote villages to foster love, peace, harmony, spirituality and faith within individuals – irrespective of race, class, creed or color. His unique combination of spirituality and leadership inspired hundreds of thousands of devotees around the world.
Life & Work
- Initiated as a swami (monk) in 1940
- Traveled to over 17,000 villages, towns and cities across 50 nations
- Visited more than 250,000 homes
- Personally wrote more than 700,000 letters to comfort and guide individuals
- Counseled over 810,000 people during his leadership
- Delivered more than 25,000 discourses spreading the message of love, spirituality and faith
- Built more than 1,100 mandirs worldwide to uphold the values and beliefs of Hinduism
- Ordained over 930 young individuals into a life of renunciation, spirituality and the service of others
- Created Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Created grand, traditional stone mandirs in Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Robbinsville, NJ.
