February 27th is Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanthi

[Leila Raven]

In India today many will choose to acknowledge Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanthi

This is a day that celebrates the birthday of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanthi 2011 date as per Hindu Tithi is February 27.

He was born on the 10^th day (Dasami) during the Krishna paksha (waning phase of moon) of Phalgun month. His birthday as per Gregorian calendar is Feb 12, 1824.

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, as he was popularly known to the world, yearned for ‘Krinvanto Vishwamaryam’ – to make the entire world a group of good people.

Dayanandji was one of the first Indians to think about India's freedom through an independent Indian Government which is evident from his book Satyarth Prakash in which he has clearly mentioned that ‘Swrajya is sarvopari uttam.’

Swami Dayanand Saraswati established the foundation of Arya Samaj in 1875.

The primary objective of Arya Samaj is to do good to the whole world by improving the physical, spiritual and social conditions of society.

Today, the presence of Arya Samaj is felt in more than 100 countries.

Arya Samaj upholds the true Vedantic tradition and is actively working to remove social evils like casteism, untouchability, dowry, child marriage, atrocities on women etc. and support widow marriage, equality, girl education. The organization works relentlessly to spread the message of Vedas – Vedanta found in the Upanishads.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824 – 1883)