Kalyandev ji Maharaj (26 June 1876 (claimed) – 14 July 2004), known as Swami Kalyandev, was an Indian-born ascetic who was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, for his social work in the villages of India.[1][2]
On his return from Khetri, Kalyandev became the disciple of Swami Purnananda of Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh. Purananda named him Swami Kalyandev. Kalyandev did tapasya in the Himalayas for a few years but then decided to help the poor people of his region.[3] Kalyandev established almost three hundred schools and medical facilities for the people of western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and elsewhere.[4] He was also noted for his advocacy against untouchability and the caste system.[5]
Kalyandev also supported rebuilding of neglected religious and historical sites. He renovated a monument in Shuktal, Muzaffarnagar associated with Shuka.[5] There, he also established the Shukadeva Ashrama and Seva Samiti. He also renovated parts of Hastinapur, and several pilgrimage sites in Haryana.[3][6]
Later lifeedit
In 1982 he received the Padma Sri award, and in 2000 he received the Padma Bhushan. He was also awarded an honorary D.Litt. by Meerut University. In the late 1980s future Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh came to Shukatal to pray along with his wife and Kalyandev told him to do his first rally near Bhayla. His advice has been credited with repopularizing Singh as a politician.[3]
During an interview, Kalyandev said his inspiration came in 1893, when he met Vivekananda in Khetri, who said to him, "If you want to see God, go to the huts of the poor. And if you want to attain God, then serve the poor, the helpless, the downtrodden and the miserable." Kalyandev stated that to attain God through service of the poor is the mantra he received from Swamiji.[7]
Swami Kalyandev died in India on 14 July 2004. His age has been disputed due to uncertainty surrounding his birth date.
^Chandra, Suresh (2004). Hale and Hearty: Ever After Fifty. Pustak Mahal. p. 121. ISBN978-81-223-0690-3.
^Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Ltd. 2001.
^ abcd"Swami Kalyandev: A Lamp that Swamiji Lighted". Vedanta.ru. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
^Austa, Sanjay. "The grand old seer". The Tribune. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
^ abSharma, Pankul (14 July 2015). "Governor pays tributes to Swami Kalyan Dev". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
^"Sant Shiromani Swami Kalyan Dev Ji Maharaj". Muzaffarnagar.nic.in. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
^"Swami Kalyan dev Interview". Amar Ujala. 14 October 2003.
January 14, 2024
swami, kalyandev, kalyandev, maharaj, june, 1876, claimed, july, 2004, known, indian, born, ascetic, awarded, padma, bhushan, third, highest, civilian, award, india, social, work, villages, india, bornkalyandev, maharaj26, june, 1876, claimed, kotana, bagpat, . Kalyandev ji Maharaj 26 June 1876 claimed 14 July 2004 known as Swami Kalyandev was an Indian born ascetic who was awarded the Padma Bhushan the third highest civilian award in India for his social work in the villages of India 1 2 Swami KalyandevBornKalyandev ji Maharaj26 June 1876 claimed Kotana Bagpat district Uttar Pradesh IndiaDied14 July 2004 claimed age 128 IndiaNationalityIndianKnown forAlleged supercentenarian status Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Later life 2 See also 3 ReferencesBiography editSwami Kalyandev was born as Kaluram on the claimed date of 26 June 1876 in the village of Kotana Bagpat district Uttar Pradesh and grew up in Mundbhar Muzaffarnagar In his youth he traveled to Ayodhya and Haridwar While in Haridwar he heard of Swami Vivekananda s visit to Khetri and traveled there to meet him 3 On his return from Khetri Kalyandev became the disciple of Swami Purnananda of Muni Ki Reti Rishikesh Purananda named him Swami Kalyandev Kalyandev did tapasya in the Himalayas for a few years but then decided to help the poor people of his region 3 Kalyandev established almost three hundred schools and medical facilities for the people of western Uttar Pradesh Haryana Punjab Rajasthan Delhi and elsewhere 4 He was also noted for his advocacy against untouchability and the caste system 5 Kalyandev also supported rebuilding of neglected religious and historical sites He renovated a monument in Shuktal Muzaffarnagar associated with Shuka 5 There he also established the Shukadeva Ashrama and Seva Samiti He also renovated parts of Hastinapur and several pilgrimage sites in Haryana 3 6 Later life edit In 1982 he received the Padma Sri award and in 2000 he received the Padma Bhushan He was also awarded an honorary D Litt by Meerut University In the late 1980s future Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh came to Shukatal to pray along with his wife and Kalyandev told him to do his first rally near Bhayla His advice has been credited with repopularizing Singh as a politician 3 During an interview Kalyandev said his inspiration came in 1893 when he met Vivekananda in Khetri who said to him If you want to see God go to the huts of the poor And if you want to attain God then serve the poor the helpless the downtrodden and the miserable Kalyandev stated that to attain God through service of the poor is the mantra he received from Swamiji 7 Swami Kalyandev died in India on 14 July 2004 His age has been disputed due to uncertainty surrounding his birth date See also editLongevity claimsReferences edit Chandra Suresh 2004 Hale and Hearty Ever After Fifty Pustak Mahal p 121 ISBN 978 81 223 0690 3 Limca Book of Records Bisleri Beverages Ltd 2001 a b c d Swami Kalyandev A Lamp that Swamiji Lighted Vedanta ru Retrieved 30 October 2008 Austa Sanjay The grand old seer The Tribune Retrieved 30 October 2008 a b Sharma Pankul 14 July 2015 Governor pays tributes to Swami Kalyan Dev The Times of India Retrieved 18 May 2019 Sant Shiromani Swami Kalyan Dev Ji Maharaj Muzaffarnagar nic in Retrieved 30 October 2008 Swami Kalyan dev Interview Amar Ujala 14 October 2003 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Swami Kalyandev amp oldid 1176141066, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
