Shri Jai Ram Annanchetra trust, Rishikesh

Brahmchari Ji, Shri Jai Ram Ji Maharaj had setup this Annanchetra in Rishikesh. It has completed more than one hundred years of its existence. Maharaj Jairam Ji’s native place was at village Chochi in Sonepat, Haryana. He practiced “Panchagni” rituals (It is a penance in which the performer sits in the sun in the hot weather between four fires placed on at each quarter). Sitting in this posture Maharaj ji meditated and recited Gayatri mantra for 3 hours every day. During the rainy season Maharaj Ji would stand on one leg under the pipal tree with both his hands raised skywards reciting Gayatri mantra for three hours.

Since his childhood Maharaj Ji had great affection for cows. He could not endure the ill treatment meted out to the cows. He built Shri Jai Ram Goshala in his village and then in Jakholi village in Sonepat for offering shelter to the old and ailing cows.

Shree Jairam Ji Maharaj arrived in Rishikesh in 1884 while on a casual visit. In the month of January he stood for three hours in the cold water of holy Ganga at Maya Kundam early at dawn. Maharaj Ji recited Gayatri mantra 10 million times in twelve years. As a result of his extreme devotion to the religion and with the blessings of mother Ganga, one devotee acquired a piece of land in 1850 and Maharaj Ji started an Ashram which began to offer meals to the devotee. Since then under the benign blessings of mother Annupurna the tradition of offering meals is continuing. Enlightenment and fame followed Maharaj Ji owing to his devotion. He never used his popularity for any materialistic gains. There are a number of legends popular about Shri Jai Ram Ji Maharaj once it is said that when the water of all the wells in the village had turned saline Maharaj Ji asked for some water to be brought to him from one of the wells.

When he drank the water it turned sweet. Since then the well has become famous as “Brahmchari Jai Ram Ji Ka Kunwa”. Once a terrible fire broke out in Vulcana village Brahmchari Ji poured some water while reciting mantras. The fire was extinguished immediately. It is said that once the kitchen at the Ashram ran out of Ghee and there was no way Ghee could be procured from any quarter, Maharaj Ji asked for two tins filled with the water of holy Ganga and when it was brought to him he used this water to fry Maalpoowas. Next day he returned the two tins of water to Ganga. Such was the miraculous powers of Maharaj Ji.

Establishment of Annanchetra

In 1881 Shri Jai Ram Maharaj came to Rishikesh. There was no place where the sages could have their meals. Maharaj Ji took a vow that he would not eat any thing until he had established a Annanchetra for the sages and poor people. With the blessings of Goddess Annapurna his devotees assured him that they will setup an Annanchetra in Rishikesh and soon enough the Annanchetra came into existence.

Maharaj Ji’s affectionate behaviour, his saintly nature and devotion attracted many followers to him. With his blessings many of their difficulties were removed and they achieved success in their work. Maharaj Ji had resolved to devote his life to the service of pilgrims. Hence during the Kumbh festival in Haridwar and Prayag he began to distribute food and provide free lodging to the pilgrims. Thus serving the humanity he departed for his heavenly abode. His last words were that “Goddess Annapurna will always have her benign hand on him”.

Guru – Shishya Parampara (Teacher - disciple tradition)

Brahmchari Shri Jai Ram Maharaj had three very devoted disciples. Shri Kutasth Ji. He involved himself in looking after the principles of religion and management of Ashrams. Second disciple was Shri Brahmchari Shadi Ram Ji who was greatly interested in building Homes therefore he was assigned the task of looking after the comforts of the pilgrims. Third disciple was Brahmchari Hari Pushp Ji Maharaj who setup an Ashram at village Kilokari in Delhi, in the name of “Shri Jai Ram Brahmchari Ashram trust”. The famous Ashram chowk” in New Delhi is known by the name of Shri Jai Ram Ashram.

Brahmchari Shri Shadi Ram’s disciple was Shri Ganga Swarup Ji Brahmchari. He was a scholar in Vedanta and Grammar. He established temples for cows and started the tradition of not ploughing the land on Amavasya and urged the people to abstain from intoxicating substances. The tradition of not plying the bullock cart and the camel cart on the day of Amavasya is still being followed in certain parts of Haryana.

The founder of Jai Ram Ashrams Shri Brahmchari Devendra Swarup and the fellow disciple Shri Brahmchari Narayan Swarup Ji took “Diksha” from reverend Shri Brahmchari Ganga Swarup Ji in the month of Magh. Under his guru’s guidance and affection Shri Brahmswarup Ji followed the path of public service. With his dedication and selfless service he has carried forward the tradition of his guru and added more infrastructures to the existing Jai Ram Institutions.
 

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