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History: Typo fixing for Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss, replaced: ,P → , P

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'''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 Hills|Shivalik]] ranges of the [[Himalayas]], it is also a place of attraction for tourists and seekers of spiritual guidance.<ref>''India'' By Sarina Singh, Lindsay Brown, Mark Elliott... 2009, Lonely Planet {{ISBN|978-1-74179-151-8}}</ref>

==Location==
Shantikunj is located 6 kilometers from [[Haridwar]] railway station towards Rishikesh/Dehradun on NH58 in [[India]]. The nearest airports are [[Jolly Grant Airport]], Dehradun and [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], [[New Delhi]].

==History==
[[File:Pt.ShriramSharma Smiling.jpg|right|thumb|Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya founded Shantikunj in 1971]]
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 Mahayajna 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 [[14th Dalai Lama|H.H.Dalai Lama]], Mahatma Anand Swami of [[Arya Samaj]], Swami [[Ramdev]], Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (vice president of India), famous environmentalist [[Sundarlal Bahuguna]], Murari Baapu, Abdul Kalam, Harish Rawat, PM Narendra Modi, Former President Pranab Mukherjee and many foreign dignitaries etc.

At present Shantikunj is functioning under Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, headed by Mrs. Shailbala Pandya, daughter of Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya.

==Patron founders==
{{anchor|Bhagawati Devi Sharma}}
Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya born on 20 September 1911 in the village Anwalkhera, [[Agra]] (UP) India. As a freedom fighter he also went to jail three times. In 1935, he embarked upon the task of improving society 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 (also known by followers as "Mata" or "Mataji" ['mother']<ref>Daniel Philip Heifetz, 'From Gurudev to Doctor-Sahib: Religion, Science, and Charisma in the All World Gayatri Pariwar', ''Method & Theory in the Study of Religion'', 30.3 (2018), 252-78 (p. 254 fn. 4), {{DOI|10.1163/15700682-12341433}}.</ref>) Right after marriage she started managing arrangements of publication for ''[[Akhand Jyoti]]''. She also used to help Acharyaji in replying to the letters of readers. With spreading circulation of magazine, number of visitors also started increasing. As Akhand Jyoti Sansthan (publication office of magazine) was not enough to accommodate increasing number of visitors, it was decided that there must be a dedicated centre, where regular camps of [[spiritual practices]] can be conducted. Acharyaji purchased land on Mathura [[Vrindavan]] road with all of his savings and was left with no money in hand for construction. At this critical point of time, Bhagwati Devi came forward and donated all of her jewelry for the purpose.<ref name=mkl>{{cite book|last=Brahmavarchas|title=Mahashakti ki Lokyatra|year=2010|publisher=Gayatri Tapobhumi|location=Mathura|pages=39}}</ref> In 1960, Acharyaji handed over the management of Gayatri Tapobhumi to her.

Acharya 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.

Following the death of her husband in 1991, Sharma took over the running of Gayatri Pariwar.<ref>Lise McKean, ''Divine Enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement'' (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996), p. 45 {{ISBN|0226560090}}.</ref> Involved in editing ''[[Akhand Jyoti]]'', the journal he founded, since at least 1962, she took over as editor on his death and continued until her own.<ref>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9I0orByZgP4C& Annual Report of the Registrar of Newspapers for India]'' (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1962), part 2 p. 423; ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=RRdXAAAAMAAJ& Press in India]'' (Office of the Registrar of Newspapers, 1992), part 2, vol. 2, p. 1323; ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iF7gAAAAMAAJ& Directory of Periodicals Published in India]'' (Sapra and Sapra, 1994), vol. 3 p. 378.</ref>

Sharma was born on 20 September 1926 in [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|Agra]]. She was an [[Social reformers of India|Indian social reformer]] and a great devotee of [[Gayatri Mantra]]. As a co-founder of All World Gayatri Pariwar she started various social uplift programs and successfully organised a series of [[Ashwamedha Yajna]]s. She also published [[Bhashya]] on four [[Vedas]].

==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 visit the Ashram (Spiritual Center).<ref>page-46, ''Tracing the Way: Spiritual Dimensions of the World Religions'' by Hans Kung, 2002 Continuum International Publishing Group New York</ref>

Expansion of national unity, amity and brotherhood and extinction of ignorance, jealousy, hatred, and strife from globe are being attempted by popularizing [[Gayatri Mantra]], [[Yajna]] and [[Sanskar|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.

==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.<ref>page 113-114 ''Disaster Management Through Panchayati Raj'' by Kamal Taori (IAS), Concept Publishing Company, 2005 {{ISBN|81-8069-215-9}}</ref>

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.

==Other establishments==
'''Brahmavarchas Shodh Sansthan'''<br> 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, [[Ayurveda]] and [[Mantras]].

'''[[Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya]]'''<br> Established in 2002 by the act of the Uttaranchal Government is a fully residential university run by Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj Haridwar.<ref>[http://www.dsvv.org/global/user_files/StateActforDSVV.pdf] State act for DSVV</ref> It provides different degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Clinical Psychology, Yogic Science, [[Alternative medicine degrees|Alternative Therapy]], Indian Culture, Tourism, [[Rural Management]], [[Theology]] (Dharm Vigyan), Spiritual Counseling etc. A new medical center is about to established.

'''Sri Ram Puram'''<br>It is new extension of shantikunj, established with new residential buildings, a hospital, canteen, hall and workshop.

==See also==
* [[Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.awgp.org www.awgp.org]
* [http://www.akhandjyoti.org www.akhandjyoti.org]

[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Activists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Haridwar district]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]

Shantikunj - Revision history

imported>BD2412: /* History */Typo fixing for Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss, replaced: ,P → , P