Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

Miscellaneous

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti was celebrated on 23^rd February this year.

Born on 12th February 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat, as Mool Shankar Tiwari.
A philosopher, social reformer, and founder of the Arya Samaj (1875), he advocated for Swaraj ("India for Indians") in 1876.
Authored Satyarth Prakash (The True Exposition).
Promoted a classless, casteless society and the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.
Supported the chaturvarna system based on occupation, not birth.

Contributions to Education

Founded the Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) schools in 1886 to modernize education.
The first DAV school was established in Lahore with Mahatma Hansraj as headmaster.

About Arya Samaj

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai) within Hinduism.
A reform movement aimed at reviving the Vedas as the ultimate truth.
Opposes idol worship, caste by birth, child marriage, untouchability, and ritualism.
Advocates social reforms like female education, intercaste marriage, and welfare initiatives.
Known for movements like Shuddhi (reconversion) and promoting cow protection.
Strongest presence in western and northern India.