Swami Brahmanand Giri ji Maharaj
Pujya Swami Nalinanand Giri ji was initiated into sanyas ( renunciation) by Mahamandleshwar Swami Brahmanand Giri ji Maharaj, who was the 10th Peethadhiswar (President) of Suratgiri Bangla Kankhal Haridwar. Swami Brahmananad Giri ii who in his early years had undertaken the arduous journey on foot to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, later settled in Varanasi for 12 years to study Vedanta and Nayaya. Eventually he established a Sanskrit College in Haridwar, a Temple at his birth place in Jotana, Gujarat and a new Ashram Mangal Seva Dham in Dakore, Gujarat in the Memory of his Guru ji Swami Maheswaranand Giri ji Maharaj. On 10th May 1995 Swami Brahmanand Giri ji Maharaj handed over the responsibilities of the Ashram to Swami Vishveshwaranand Giri ji Maharaj and honored him with the title of Mahakmandleshwar in the presence of other saints and mahatmas. Swami Vishveshwaranand is currently the eleventh President of Suratgiri Bangla, Haridwar as also the President of Sanyas Ashram Vile Parle, Mumbai which oversees the onerous task of spreading awareness about vedic religion through spiritual lectures and cultural programs in India & abroad. He also manages ten other ashrams and coordinates with many others religious and social organizations engaged in welfare activities.
Swami Nalinanand Giri ji was in search for a divinely inspired and spiritually blessed guru, one who was ordained by God to guide the lost souls. He met several saints in his search for the right guru, before meeting Param Pujya Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Brahmanand Giri ji Maharaj. The latter's divine simplicity and adorable beatitude impressed the seeker in Swami Nalinanand Giri ji leading to instant connection.
On the festive occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Swami Nalinanand Giri ji requested Swami Brahmanand Giri ji to initiate him as a Natshtik Brahmcharyi. On September 8, 2001, Swami Nalinanand Giri ji was ritualistically ordained as a Natshtik Brahmcharya on the banks of the holy river Ganga ( The Ganges ). But this was not the end, He continued his spiritual journey with an overwhelming desire of becoming a complete sanyasi. As a seeker he was in constant touch with Swami Brahmananda Giri ji and wanted him to confirm him into renunciation (sanyas). March 5, 2005 the day of Mahashivratri was approaching and Swami Nalinanand Giri ji expressed His desire before his master Swami Brahmanand Giri ji for his blessings. Swami Brahmanand Giri ji was in Vedic Ashram in Chanod, Dariyapura Vadodara (Gujrat). This was the place where Shankracharya took Apath sanyas. Upon Swami Brahmanand Giri ji’s confirmation Swami Nalinanand Giri ji along with 19 devotees reached Badrik Ashram for sanyas the next step to Natshtik Brahmcharya. The ritual steps were performed on March 7, 2005 followed by the actual Sanyas diksha next day i e March 8, 2005 at 5 am on the banks of the Narmada.
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