Gayatri Tapobhumi
The Gayatri Tapobhoomi in Mathura, India was established by Pundit Shriram Sharma Acharya (Gurudev) in 1950 at the conclusion of his 24 Gayatri Mahapurasharan, or recitations of 240,000 Gayatri Mantras per year. The Gayatri Tapobhoomi was the Tapasthali (Place of Penance) of Pundit Shriram Sharma Acharya.
For the construction of the Gayatri Tapobhoomi, the holy soil and water from 2400 different pilgrimage sites were collected, worshiped, and then used as part of the foundation for the actual building. This sacred land is distinguished by a Yagyashala, which houses an Akhand Agni, or sacred flame from a 700 -year old scared fire ignited by a Siddha Yogi. At the time of establishing the Akhand Agni, Gurudev had fasted for 24 days, only on taking the holy water Ganga. The Pran-Pratistha of Vedmata, Gayatri's idol, was also done at this time. This flame is very important for it contains 24,000 million Gayatri Mantras written by ardent worshippers who offer their oblations here before proceeding further on their various journeys. In addition, the ever-flourishing seed of the Gayatri Pariwar was sown here.
In 1956, the Gayatri Pariwar was established through performing a Narmedh Yagya followed by a grand Sahastrakundiya (1008 kundi) Yagya in 1958. The latter Yagya drew lakhs of aspiring souls and close to 400,000 people participated in the actual ceremony. Immediately thereafter approximately 10,000 centers or branches of the Gayatri mission started emerging throughout India. Also at this ostentatious Yagya, Revered Gurudev declared the scheme of Yug Nirman Yojana.
The Gayatri Tapobhoomi was converted into a training center, Yug Nirman Vidyalaya, in 1963 when the Gayatri Mission Manifesto was published in the form of Yug Nirman Satsankalpa. The purpose of this Vidyalaya was to make people self-sufficient and still runs very successfully today. In 1971, the Revered Gurudev went to Shantikunj, Haridwar, leaving the responsibility on Pundit Lilapatji Sharma.
We see a grand Pragyanagar, Yug Nirman Vidyalaya and many modern machines for publishing literature here. Since 1953, millions of visitors & Parijans have performed Gayatri Anusthan here and participated in the camps. These everyday regular Gayatri Japs as well as Yagya in the Akhand Agni are done, an uninterrupted lamp, Akhand Deep is also lighted here. These everyday Sanskars are being performed without any changes. To visit this place please contact Gayatri Shaktipeeth Vatika.
