DHIRENDRA KRISHNA SHASTRI

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, born on July 4, 1996, in Gada village of Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, is a revered Hindu spiritual guru widely known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar or Maharaj. As the peethadhishwar of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, Shastri has captivated the hearts of millions through his spiritual teachings and philanthropic endeavors.

Shastri's early life was marked by humble beginnings. Born into a Saryupareen Brahmin family, he was the eldest of two children of Saroj and Ram Kripal Garg, who worked as a priest. Despite the financial hardships, Shastri's innate ability to narrate stories and inspire those around him became evident from a young age. He completed his schooling in Ganj village and was profoundly influenced by his spiritual mentor, Rambhadracharya.

As a disciple of Rambhadracharya, Shastri became well-known for his preaching of the Ramcharitmanas and Shiva Purana. His followers believe he possesses charismatic powers achieved through dedicated sādhanā. Every Tuesday and Saturday, Shastri holds a divya darbar at Bageshwar Dham, where devotees gather to seek relief from their physical, mental, economic, and social sufferings, attributing their healing to Shastri's divine connection with Hanuman.

Under his leadership, Bageshwar Dham has flourished not only as a spiritual haven but also as a center for social welfare. Shastri established the Annapurna Kitchen, providing free food to followers, and organizes annual weddings for poor and destitute girls. He is also founding a Vedic Gurukula to promote ancient Vedic studies and Sanskrit. In 2021, he facilitated the return of 300 people to Hinduism from Christianity, demonstrating his commitment to his faith.

Shastri's influence extends beyond the spiritual realm into the digital age. He boasts a significant social media presence with 7.5 million followers across various platforms, including 3.4 million on Facebook, 3.9 million subscribers on YouTube, 300,000 followers on Instagram, and 72,000 followers on Twitter. His widely viewed videos often garner between three and ten million views, reflecting his widespread appeal.

Despite his growing popularity, Shastri has faced criticism and controversy. Indian rationalist Shyam Manav challenged his spiritual powers, accusing him of promoting blind faith. The All India Superstition Eradication Committee filed a complaint against him under the anti-superstition act. However, the Nagpur Police found no grounds for prosecution. Shastri received overwhelming support from prominent Hindu leaders and politicians, including Swami Ramdev, Rambhadracharya, Sadhvi Prachi, Pragya Thakur, and Giriraj Singh. On January 22, 2023, several Hindu organizations protested in his support at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The Nagpur Police eventually cleared him of promoting superstitious activities.

Shastri's influence reached new heights on January 23, 2023, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, when he advocated for declaring India a Hindu nation and urged for Ramcharitmanas to be recognized as the national scripture. His remarks received mixed reactions, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi opposing them, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath endorsed them, asserting that India is already a Hindu Rashtra.

In interviews, such as on Rajat Sharma's Aapki Adalat Show, Shastri has emphasized his respect for all religions while firmly defending his faith against objectionable remarks. He remains committed to advocating for a Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat, reflecting his vision for India's future.

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