Shantikunj Gayatri Teerth Ashram complex is the embodiment of the vision of Yugrishi saint-seer -philosopher par excellence, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (Gurudev to his devotees), who was born on September 20, 1911 in village Anwalkheda in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He voluntarily shed his physical sheath on Gayatri Jayanti Day on June 2, 1990 to be able to carry forward his Mission with manifold effectiveness from the subtle realm. It is the headquarters of the Global Gayatri Mission and has emerged over the years as a unique center and fountainhead of a global movement for moral, ethical and spiritual regeneration of humanity in the light of the perennial wisdom of the hoary Indian heritage. Gayatri Mission Pariwar, has more than twenty million devotees and another seventy million persons as followers and wellwishers spread all over the world. The Yugrishi founded Shantikunj in 1971, when he finally bid goodbye to Gayatri Tapobhoomi Mathura at the bidding of his own Master.

The gist of Acharyashri’s message is the awakening of human consciousness to a higher and nobler realm of light, love and life suffused with peace, harmony and joy. Vandniya Mata Bhagvati Devi Sharma (adored as the emanation of Mother Durga by the Gayatri Pariwar parijans) has been the foremost collaborator and disciple of Gurudev. She contributed immensely in giving concrete shape to the ideals and dreams of her soulmate. Mataji withdrew to the subtle / invisible realm on Bhadrapad Poornima in 1995. The smooth working of this worldwide movement is based on voluntary daily contribution of a minimum of fifty paisa, one handful of grains and one hour’s service towards furtherance of the aims and objects of the Mission by millions of its devotees.

Peace, prosperity, amity, love, goodwill and fraternity irrespective of region, religion, faith, caste, creed, sect etc. are avowed aims of Gayatri Mission. True to its name, Shantikunj is a living and vibrant Abode of Peace. Thousands of visitors who go around the various departments of the Ashram’s activities are visibly moved and touched by the all-pervading vibrations of warm welcome and goodwill with which they are treated.

The central thrust of Gayatri Mission’s efforts is the inculcation of national unity, amity and brotherhood and removal of ignorance, outmoded customs, jealousy, hatred, and strife through the popularization of Gayatri Mantra, Yagya and Vedic Sanskars, amongst the masses, by making them aware of their soul-uplifting significance.