Swami Kalyandev | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kalyandev ji Maharaj 26 June 1876 (claimed) |
| Died | 14 July 2004 (claimed age 128) India |
| Known for | Allegedsupercentenarian status |
Kalyandev ji Maharaj (26 June 1876 (claimed) – 14 July 2004), known asSwami Kalyandev, was anIndian-bornascetic who was awarded thePadma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, for his social work in the villages of India.[1][2]
Swami Kalyandev was born asKaluram on the claimed date of 26 June 1876, in the village of Kotana,Bagpat district,Uttar Pradesh and grew up inMundbhar, Muzaffarnagar. In his youth, he traveled toAyodhya andHaridwar. While inHaridwar he heard ofSwami Vivekananda's visit toKhetri, and traveled there to meet him.[3]
On his return from Khetri, Kalyandev became the disciple of Swami Purnananda ofMuni Ki Reti,Rishikesh. Purananda named him Swami Kalyandev. Kalyandev didtapasya in theHimalayas 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 westernUttar 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 withShuka.[5] There, he also established the Shukadeva Ashrama and Seva Samiti. He also renovated parts ofHastinapur, and several pilgrimage sites inHaryana.[3][6]
In 1982 he received thePadma Sri award, and in 2000 he received thePadma Bhushan. He was also awarded an honorary D.Litt. byMeerut University. In the late 1980s future Prime MinisterVishwanath 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 themantra he received from Swamiji.[7]
Swami Kalyandev died inIndia on 14 July 2004. His age has been disputed due to uncertainty surrounding his birth date.