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Mahant Swami Maharaj Age, Family, Biography & More

Mahant Swami Maharaj Age, Family, Biography & More

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Quick Infoā†’

Hometown: Jabalpur

Age: 91 Years

Religion: Hinduism

Bio/Wiki
Birth Name Keshav Patel check sources
Desh Gujarat
Other Name(s) ā€¢ Vinu Bhagat
ā€¢ Sadhu Keshavjivandas
Nickname Vinu Patel (given by his family) check sources
BAPS
Profession Spiritual Leader
Physical Stats & More
Eye Colour Black
Hair Colour Bald
Career
Honour In 2017, he was given Key to key to the city by the mayors of various cities including Toronto in Canada, Lilburn in Georgia, Irving in Texas, and Chicago in Illinois.
Personal Life
Date of Birth 13 September 1933 (Wednesday)
Age (as of 2024) 91 Years
Birthplace Jabalpur, Madhya Pradsh
Zodiac sign Virgo
Nationality Indian
Hometown Jabalpur
School Christ Church Boys Senior Secondary School in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
College/University Bansilal Amrutlal College of Agriculture in Anand, Gujarat
Educational Qualification a bachelor's degree of Science in Agriculture at the Bansilal Amrutlal College of Agriculture in Anand, Gujarat. check sources
Desh Gujarat
Religion Swaminarayan Sampradaya of the Vaishnava Sampradaya, a Hindu denomination
Food Habit Vegetarian
Relationships & More
Marital Status Unmarried
Family
Wife/Spouse N/A
Parents Father- Manibhai Narayanbhai Patel (Businessman)
Mother- Dahiben
Style Quotient

Some Lesser Known Facts About Mahant Swami Maharaj

  • Mahant Swami Maharaj is an Indian spiritual leader. He is the sixth successor of the Swaminarayan. He is the president and the guru of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

  • Mahant Swami Maharajā€™s father was from Anand in Gujarat but moved to Jabalpur to start a dairy business. When he was only six months old, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj visited their home in Jabalpur, blessed the newborn, and gave him a Kanthi mala (a necklace made of Basil seeds). Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj also named him Keshav, but his family called him Vinu.

    Mahant Swami Maharajā€™s childhood picture

  • In May 1951, while Keshav Patel was in college, he met Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the first time when Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his followers visited Keshav Patelā€™s home. According to Mahant Swami Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj sincerely apologized to him for any inconvenience he may have caused as they left his house. He believes that it was at this exact moment that Yogiji Maharajā€™s unmatched love and humility left a strong impression on him.

    Mahant Swami Maharaj during his college years

  • Over the next few years, during his college summer breaks, Keshav travelled with Pramukh Swami Maharaj to various places in India, listened to his teachings, and later, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharajā€™s way of life, he decided to become a monk.

  • In 1957, Pramukh Swami Maharaj ordained Keshav Patel as a pārshad and gave him the name Vinu Bhagat. Vinu Bhagat then became Yogijiā€™s assistant and accompanied him on travels for the following three years.

    Mahant Swami Maharaj after getting ordained in 1957

  • In 1960, Pramukh Swami Maharaj ordained Vinu Bhagat for the second time as a pārshad at Kapolvadi, Mumbai, along with eight other disciples. These nine disciples were referred to as ā€˜Nav Yogeshwars.ā€™

    Vinu Bhagat (standing in the centre) with Nav Yogeshwars

  • In 1961, Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiated Vinu Bhagat and 50 other disciples as Sadhu. Vinu Bhagat was the first among the 51 to receive the bhāgwati dikshā, and Yogiji Maharaj named him Sadhu Keshavjivandas. Following the initiation of the Sadhus, Swamiji entrusted Sadhu Keshavjivandas with the responsibility of overseeing the young Sadhus and appointed him as the ā€˜Mahantā€™ of Dadar Mandir in Mumbai. It was there that he acquired the name, Mahant Swami. check sources BAPS

    Mahant Swami Maharaj (sitting right to Yogiji Maharaj) after getting ordained as Sadhu

  • In 1971, after Yogiji Maharaj passed away, he devoted himself to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the new guru. He travelled to different states and cities all over India, as well as to foreign countries. Since 1971, as per Pramukh Swami Maharajā€™s guidance, Swami Maharaj has committed himself to supporting and strengthening the Satsang community. He has offered his services for Akshardham initiatives, childrenā€™s and youth programs, and various Satsang events during the BAPS mega-festivals.

  • In 1977, Mahant Swami Maharaj made his first visit to North America. He journeyed across the country by road, visiting the homes of followers and various BAPS temples in America alongside Pramukh Swami Maharaj, to foster a strong Satsang community.

    Mahant Swami Maharaj with Pramukh Swamiji in Toronto, Canada

  • In 1985, Mahant Swami Maharaj attended the Cultural Festival of India (CFI) in London and also inaugurated the CFI souvenir book. In 1986, Mahant Swami Maharaj took a team of Sadhus on a global journey to conduct research for creating exhibits of Akshardham in Gandhinagar. In 1988, Mahant Swami Maharaj led another group of Sadhus to 17 countries, including Nairobi, to celebrate Pramukh Swami Maharajā€™s 68th birthday.

    Mahant Swami Maharaj during the inauguration ceremony at CFI in London

  • On August 13, 2016, following the passing of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Mahant Swami Maharaj was appointed as the new leader and spiritual guide of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. He was declared as the sixth spiritual successor in Swaminarayanā€™s lineage of gurus. As the president of BAPS, he has travelled extensively around the world to arrange Satsangs and deliver teachings.

  • In February 2024, he travelled to Abu Dhabi as a state guest for the opening ceremony of the first BAPS Hindu temple in the Gulf nation.

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS arrives in the UAE and is welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan
Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.#FOHabudhabi #AbuDhabiMandir #FestivalofHarmony #Love #Peace #Harmony pic.twitter.com/XFoJfBo36Z

ā€” BAPS Hindu Mandir (@AbuDhabiMandir) February 6, 2024

References/Sources