Who Is Spiritual Guru Premanand Ji Maharaj, Followed By Celebs Like Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Hema Malini And More?
Premanand Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan, previously known as Aniruddh Kumar Pandey has devotees from all over the world!
Premanand Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan, previously known as Aniruddh Kumar Pandey, born on March 30, 1969 is currently regarded as one of the most iconic spiritual leaders of India. Devotees all over the nation, such as well-known followers Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, continuously visit him at Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, his aashram Ramanreti, in Vrindavan. Read on further to know more about him.
Who Is Premanand Ji Maharaj?
Coming from Akhri village close to Kanpur, Maharaj Ji manifested signs of deep religious orientation from a young age. At the mere age of 13, he left home to take up the life of asceticism and ultimately accepted the vows of sannyasa. He spent the next few years living on the ghats of the Ganga in Varanasi, practising meditation, scripture, and celibacy. Undeterred by hunger or unfavourable weather, he lived a simple and disciplined life, bathing in the Ganga three times a day, even during the midst of winter.
His devotional path changed when he was initiated into the Raas Leela, a spiritual dance form of the Lord Krishna and Radha. Reluctant at first, Maharaj Ji was convinced to attend by believing it to be a calling from God. It was the turning point for his Radhavallabhi Sampradaya, a devotee sect revering Radha-Krishna love worship. His spiritual unfolding became more intensified after meeting Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharanji Maharaj, widely loved as Bade Guruji, who got him introduced into Sahachari Bhava and Nitya Vihar Rasa, mystical devotional moods governing Rasik conventions.
Maharaj Ji’s teachings focus on inner purity, spiritual discipline, and emotional devotion. He often speaks about the significance of celibacy, the role of a guru, and the power of spiritual harmony in both personal and societal space. He has also rejected the idea of hierarchy in ashram life, and hence chose to follow a more egalitarian spiritual way. Over the past few years, health issues, specifically kidney problems, have limited his mobility. Although he used to do daily parikrama (circumambulation) around Vrindavan, these activities have slowed down. Nevertheless, his resolve not to accept organ donations for compassion’s sake has only added to his devotees’ admiration.
Premanand Ji Maharaj’s increasing popularity is not only based on ritual but on his message of unconditioned love, simplicity, and surrender. His following, ranging from everyday devotees to celebrities, grows ever larger as people search for spiritual anchorage in an anarchic world.
First Published: May 13, 2025 3:58 PM
