Swami Avdheshanand Giri

Giri was born in Khurja, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India in a Brahmin family. He said that during his childhood, he often talked about his previous birth. He left home for Sannyasa at the age of 17.{{Cite web |date=8 April 2023 |title=Swami Avdheshanand Giri |url=https://hindupedia.com/en/Swami_Avdheshanand_Giri |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia |language=en}}

After leaving his house for Sannyasa, He met Swami Avdhoot Prakash who was an expert and had a great knowledge of the Vedas and scriptures. Giri learned Vedant philosophy and Yoga from him.{{Cite web |title=Hinduism Today |url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Hinduism Today |language=en-US}}

He went to Himalayas for meditation and penance. After deep meditation and penance, Swami Avdheshanand Giri came out of the Himalayan caves in the year 1985 and met his Guru- The former Shankaracharya Swami Satyamitranand Giri. He took diksha from Swami Satyamitranand Giri and entered Juna Akhara under the name of Avdheshanand Giri.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2019 |title=Bharat Mata Mandir head Mahamandaleshwar Swami Satyamitranand Giri passes away today {{!}} भारत माता मंदिर के संस्थापक महामंडलेश्वर स्वामी सत्यमित्रानंद गिरि ब्रह्मलीन, आज दी जाएगी समाधि - Dainik Bhaskar |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/national/news/bharat-mata-mandir-head-mahamandaleshwar-swami-satyamitranand-giri-passes-away-today-01578463.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830013151/https://www.bhaskar.com/national/news/bharat-mata-mandir-head-mahamandaleshwar-swami-satyamitranand-giri-passes-away-today-01578463.html |archive-date=30 August 2019 }}

In the Kumbh of Haridwar, in 1998, all the saints of Juna Akhara together appointed Giri as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar.{{Cite web |date=13 January 2019 |title=The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-famous-akhadas-at-kumbh-mela/story-x5TCnQW9n51cwXkkR4lfJJ.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Samanvaya Parivar-Leicester |url=https://www.charityclarity.org.uk/charities/samanvaya-parivar-leicester/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=Charity Clarity |language=en}}

He is also the member of Sri Amarnath Shrine Board.{{Cite web |title=अमरनाथ यात्रा की तारीख घोषित, एक अप्रैल से रजिस्ट्रेशन शुरू, 23 जून को रवाना होगा पहला जत्था |url=https://www.amarujala.com/jammu/amarnath-yatra-to-commence-on-23rd-june-and-conclude-on-3rd-august |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}{{Cite news |title=Amarnath board reconstituted |work=Tribune India |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/amarnath-board-reconstituted-733296 |access-date=23 November 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Northlines |date=14 February 2020 |title=42-day Shri Amarnathji Yatra to begin on 23rd June - Northlines |url=https://thenorthlines.com/42-day-shri-amarnathji-yatra-to-begin-on-23rd-june/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board |url=https://jksasb.nic.in/about_shrine_board.html |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=jksasb.nic.in}}

Currently, he is the President of the prestigious Samanavya Seva Trust, Haridwar, which has many branches in India and abroad. This trust includes the world famous Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar.{{Cite web |title=ताकतवर-रसूखदारः साधु की शक्ति |url=https://www.indiatodayhindi.com/magazine/national/story/20191030-swami-awadheshanand-giri-peethadheeshwar-ram-mandir-social-media-593428-2019-10-23 |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=India Today Hindi |language=hi}}{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Aman |date=14 January 2020 |title=Centre weighs a dozen names for Ram Temple Trust |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/centre-weighs-a-dozen-names-for-ram-temple-trust/articleshow/73237969.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |title=Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Uttarakhand |url=https://cm.uk.gov.in/upload/pressrelease/Pressrelease-436.pdf |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=Chief Minister of Uttarakhand}}

He is referred as "Junapeethadhiswar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri" in the Akhara by his disciples. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi also used the same for him in his Twitter account and in the telephonic conversation.{{Cite web |title=PM calls Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Poojya Swamy Avdheshanand Giri Ji |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1712368 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=pib.gov.in}}{{Cite web |date=2021-04-17 |title=PM calls Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Poojya Swamy Avdheshanand Giri Ji. Requests to keep Kumbh symbolic after two Shahi Snan. Enquires about the health of Sants |url=https://www.narendramodi.in/prime-minister-narendra-modi-calls-acharya-mahamandaleshwar-poojya-swamy-avdheshanand-giri-ji-555017 |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=Prime Minister's Office (Narendra Modi)}}

Giri has presided over several international conferences on climate change, brotherhood across different sects and has been invited to several international forums. He is a board member of the World Council of Religious Leaders.{{Cite web |title=Leadership {{!}} The World Council of Religious Leaders |url=https://www.wcorl.org/leadership |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Wcrl |language=en}} He was the chief speaker at UNO for the “Responsible Leadership Summit” held in May 2019, which was attended by around 200 representatives from various sections of the society from across the world.{{Cite web |date=12 September 2016 |title=Israeli leaders meet with leaders of Eastern faith traditions |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/israeli-leaders-meet-with-leaders-of-eastern-faith-traditions-467559 |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=11 November 2019 |title=NSA Doval meets Hindu, Muslim religious leaders |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/111119/nsa-doval-meets-hindu-muslim-religious-leaders.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=The Asian Age}} In 2011, he also participated in the ‘2010 Interfaith G8 Summit’ which was held in Winnipeg, Canada. He was the keynote speaker at the “Parliament of the World’s Religious (Vishwa Dharma Mahasabha)” held in Melbourne in 2009. In the same year, he participated in the ‘Hindu Jewish Summit (Hindu Yahudi Shikhar Sammelan)’ in Jerusalem. In 2008, he also participated in the Israel’s Presidential Conference - “Facing Tomorrow”.{{Cite web |date=24 June 2010 |title=Religious leaders call for action on the environment, poverty and peace {{!}} BWNS |url=https://news.bahai.org/story/779/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Bahá’í World News Service |language=en}}

In August 2017, Giri participated in the “Samvad II: Global Initiative on Conflict avoidance and Environmental Consciousness” which took place Yangon, Myanmar. The conference was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and concluded by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The conference was organized by Vivekanand International Foundation (India), Sitagu International Bodh Academy and University, Myanmar and Japan Foundation in collaboration with Hindu Dharm Acharya Sabha.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2019 |title=Samvad |url=http://samvad.vifindia.org/speakers.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123022136/http://samvad.vifindia.org/speakers.html |archive-date=23 November 2019 }}

In September 2019, Giri participated in “Samvad III: Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance” which was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. From India, Sushil Modi (Rajya Sabha MP), S. Gurumurthy (Chairman of VIF) and Ravi Shankar along with the High Ambassadors of Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand also participated in the event.{{Cite web |title=SAMVAD-III |url=https://www.vifindia.org/category_vimarsha/6183 |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=www.vifindia.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=28 January 2020 |title=SAMVAD III |url=https://samvad-vifindia.org/samvad-iii/ |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=SAMVAD |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=International Buddhist Confederation |url=https://www.ibcworld.org/gallery_samvad_3.php |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=www.ibcworld.org}}

In May 2022, he was invited to the Muslim World League convention held In Riyadh.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Steven |date=12 May 2022 |title=Top Indian seer represents India at MWL conference in Riyadh; preaches message of peace, unity [details] |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/swami-avdheshanand-preaches-message-peace-unity-mwl-conference-riyadh-details-848387 |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=www.ibtimes.co.in |language=en}}

In Haridwar, an old age home and a physiotherapy center are running under the Samanavya Seva Trust. Shiv Ganga Project is an educational and water conservation project going on Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2018 |title=Swami Avdheshananda Giri, Hindu of the year - Magazine Web Edition January/February/March 2009 - Publications - Hinduism Today Magazine |url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1258 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926234327/https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1258 |archive-date=26 September 2018 }}

In order to early and prematurely end the Haridwar Kumbh in April 2021 during the second wave of Corona (COVID-19), Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Giri on a phone call and appealed to keep the Kumbh symbolic,{{Cite web |title=अपील: कुंभ में कोरोना पर पीएम मोदी ने तोड़ी चुप्पी, संत अवधेशानंद गिरि से कहा- अब समाप्त करें मेला |url=https://www.amarujala.com/india-news/kumbh-mela-2021-pm-narendra-modi-speaks-to-swami-avdheshanand-giri-requests-that-kumbh-mela-should-now-only-be-symbolic-coronavirus |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=Kumbh Mela 2021 should be symbolic, appeals PM Narendra Modi amid COVID-19 spike, speaks to Swami Avdheshanand Giri |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/kumbh-mela-2021-should-be-symbolic-appeals-pm-narendra-modi-amid-covid-19-spike-speaks-to-swami-avdheshanand-giri-2355446.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}} after which, Giri, on behalf of Juna Akhara announced the formal completion of Kumbh.{{Cite web |title=PM मोदी की अपील का असर, स्वामी अवधेशानंद ने की घोषणा- जूना अखाड़े की तरफ से कुंभ का विधिवत समापन |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttarakhand/haridwar-rishikesh/swami-avdheshanand-giri-announces-after-pm-modi-appeal-duly-closing-of-kumbh-on-behalf-of-juna-akhara/articleshow/82118884.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}{{Cite news |date=17 April 2021 |title=Top akhada announces end of Kumbh after PM Modi's appeal |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/top-akhada-announces-end-of-kumbh-after-pm-modis-appeal/articleshow/82119055.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |title=Top Seer Ends Kumbh Mela After PM's Request To Keep It "Symbolic" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/top-seer-ends-kumbh-mela-hours-after-pms-request-to-keep-religious-event-symbolic-amid-covid-crisis-2415924 |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}

Giri has deep knowledge of Vedant and ancient Indian philosophy subjects. He is a graduate in Sanskrit and was awarded the honorary degree of D. Litt from Vikram University, Ujjain in March 2008. {{Cite web |title=Prabhu Premi Sangh |url=https://www.prabhupremisangh.org/web/details/mw==.html |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=www.prabhupremisangh.org}}

Giri is a regular speaker on various major TV channels like Sanskar TV and Aastha TV and at many major events such as Kumbh Mela, and programs such as the Encyclopedia of Hinduism and the Vivekanand International Foundation.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2020 |title=आज स्वामी अवधेशानंद बताएंगे जीवन संवारने के मंत्र {{!}} Swami Awadheshanand Giri will come to Indore today |url=https://www.patrika.com/indore-news/swami-awadheshanand-giri-will-come-to-indore-today-5833286/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Patrika News |language=hi-IN}}{{Cite web |title=जल और धरा को बचाना युवाओं की जिम्मेदारी : स्वामी अवधेशानंद गिरी महाराज Sharanpur News - Swami Awadheshanand Giri Maharaj said that the responsibility of youth to save water and land |url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/saharanpur-swami-awadheshanand-giri-maharaj-said-that-the-responsibility-of-youth-to-save-water-and-land-19829176.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=Prabhu Premi Sangh |url=https://www.prabhupremisangh.org/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=www.prabhupremisangh.org}}{{Cite web |title=Sanskar |url=https://app.sanskargroup.in/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=app.sanskargroup.in}}{{Cite web |title=Aastha |url=https://www.aasthatv.tv/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=www.aasthatv.tv}}

Giri also writes articles as a columnist in several newspapers.{{Cite news |date=22 September 2023 |title=CM: Bharat exists because of Aadiguru Shankaracharya |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/cm-bharat-exists-because-of-aadiguru-shankaracharya/articleshow/103853952.cms |access-date=24 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}

Giri has many high profile people. Several Bollywood actors and politicians have been visiting his Harihar Ashram in Haridwar. In October 2019, the President of India, Sri Ram Nath Kovind visited Harihar Ashram when he had gone to attend the convocation ceremony of IIT Roorkee.{{Cite news |date=5 October 2019 |title=President meets Juna Akhara chief in Haridwar, conducts pooja |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/president-meets-juna-akhara-chief-in-haridwar-conducts-pooja/articleshow/71446262.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite news |date=4 October 2019 |title=President to meet head of Juna Akhara today |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/president-to-meet-head-of-juna-akhara-today/articleshow/71429842.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}} In 2018, Home Minister Amit Shah and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat also visited Harihar Ashram.{{Cite news |date=27 June 2018 |title=RSS chief arrives in Haridwar on 2-day visit |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/rss-chief-arrives-in-haridwar-on-2-day-visit/articleshow/64753708.cms |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}

He was again invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President of India Ram Nath Kovind in 2019.{{Cite web |title=President of India - Digital Library |url=https://dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/view_datails/NzY3Mg== |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in}}{{Cite web |title=President of India - Digital Library |url=https://dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/category_details/MTI=?page=264 |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in}}

• {{Cite book |last=Giri |first=Acharya Swami Avdheshanand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SXCSAAAAQBAJ |title=Vision of Self |date=14 August 2013 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |location=India |isbn=978-1-4828-1046-2 |pages=1–272 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Giri |first=Acharya Swami Avdheshanand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UJfXAwAAQBAJ |title=Eternal Wisdom |date=19 May 2014 |pages=1–154 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |location=Singapore |isbn=978-1-4828-2324-0 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Giri |first=Acharya Swami Avdheshanand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UavKuatGRdUC |title=You Only Live Once:108 Nuggets of Wisdom |date=2019 |pages=1–172 |publisher=Westland |isbn=9789388754699 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Giri |first=Acharya Swami Avdheshanand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=waMY0AEACAAJ |title=The Path to Ananda |date=14 August 2023 |pages=1–130 |publisher=Westland |isbn=9789388754699 |language=en}}

• He was awarded for his efforts in the field of harmony and spiritual awakening. The award was presented by former President of India Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.{{Cite web |last=Achary |first=Neel |date=24 January 2020 |title=Sri Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj gets champions of Change Award 2019 |url=https://businessnewsthisweek.com/business/sri-avdheshanand-giri-maharaj-gets-champions-of-change-award-2019/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Business News This Week |language=en-US}}

• SIES National Eminence Award, 2019{{Cite web |date=28 October 2019 |title=South Indian Education Society |url=http://siesedu.net/awards/eminence_awards.php |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028115329/http://siesedu.net/awards/eminence_awards.php |archive-date=28 October 2019 }}

• Hindu Renaissance Award, 2008 in California, USA (This award is given by Hindustan magazine to those personalities who are a source of inspiration for Hindu religion and strengthen it){{Cite web |url=https://www.prabhupremisangh.org/pdf/hindurenaissanceaward.pdf |url-status=live |title=The Hindu Renaissance Award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007082952/https://www.prabhupremisangh.org/pdf/hindurenaissanceaward.pdf |archive-date=7 October 2022 |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=prabhupremisangh.org}}

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Category:1962 births

Category:Living people

Category:Hindu religious leaders

Category:Indian Hindu saints

Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers

Category:People from Bulandshahr district