Jaya Kishori

Jaya Kishori (born Jaya Sharma; 13 July 1995) is an Indian spiritual orator, motivational speaker, and devotional singer. She is known for delivering discourses on Hindu religious texts, particularly the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana, and participates in spiritual events across India.

Personal life and education

Jaya Kishori was born on 13 July 1995 in Sujangarh, Rajasthan, to a Gaur Brahmin family. Her parents are Shiv Shankar Sharma and Geeta Devi, and she has a sister named Chetna Sharma. Raised in a spiritual environment, her family later relocated to Kolkata, West Bengal. She completed her primary and secondary education at Shri Shikshayatan College and Mahadevi Birla World Academy in Kolkata.

Spiritual background and career

Kishori's inclination toward spirituality began at a very young age, deeply influenced by her family's religious practices. Under the guidance of her spiritual mentor, Govind Ram Mishra, she learned to recite the Sundarkand and verses from the Bhagavad Gita. It was her mentor who bestowed upon her the title "Kishori" due to her devotion to Lord Krishna.

She began her spiritual journey at the age of seven and has since become one of the most prominent spiritual narrators in India, known specifically for her Nani Bai Ko Mayro and Shrimad Bhagwat Katha recitations. Kishori has sung in numerous devotional albums and gained a massive following on social media, where she regularly uploads her discourses, devotional music, and motivational talks.

Awards and recognition

Kishori has been the recipient of several accolades for her work in spirituality and motivational speaking. These include:

• Adarsh Yuwa Adhyatmik Guru Puruskar (2016), awarded by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat.
• Best Creator for Social Change at the inaugural National Creators Award (2024), presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam.

Controversy

In October 2024, Kishori faced social media criticism after she was photographed at an airport carrying a customized luxury Dior bag valued at over ₹2 lakh. The incident sparked a public debate, with critics questioning whether the use of such luxury accessories aligned with public expectations of a spiritual speaker who advises devotees to detach from materialism.

In response to the backlash, Kishori clarified that the bag was a customised, non-leather item made of cotton. She maintained that she had never claimed to be an ascetic or advised her followers to renounce wealth or material life, stating that she has always been transparent about being a "normal girl" who lives with her family and balances spirituality with an everyday lifestyle.

See also

• Bhakti movement
• List of Hindu gurus and sants

External links

• Jaya Kishori on YouTube