PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birth Name(s): Umashankar Upadhyay, Umashankar Pandey
Full Name: Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati
Profession: Spirtual Leader
Date of Birth: 15 August 1969 (Friday)
Age (as of 2024): 55 Years
Birthplace: Village Brahmanpur, Tehsil Patti, District Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh
Zodiac sign: Leo
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Pratapgarh
Religion: Hinduism
Age: 55 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Local school in his village Brahmanpur
Colleges/Universities: • Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda • Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi • Bajoriya Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Varanasi
Educational Qualification(s): • Graduation in Shastri and Acharya from Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya • Navya Vyakaran course from Bajoriya Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″ (173 cm)
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Parents: Father – Pandit Ram Sumer Pandey Mother – Anara Devi
Siblings: Brother – Girija Shankar Pandey (Storyteller) Sisters – 6
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s journey began in his early years, rooted in a small village where he received his primary education up to class six. His academic path took a significant turn when his father moved the family to Gujarat, where he encountered Brahmachari Ram Chaitanya, a disciple of the esteemed Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj. This relationship proved pivotal, as Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj encouraged him to delve into Sanskrit studies, ultimately leading to his admission at Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. During his university days, Swami Avimukteshwaranand demonstrated his leadership skills by actively participating in student politics. His ascent culminated in 1994 when he won the student union elections as an independent candidate, taking on the roles of Vice President and later President of the Vidyarthi Parishad.
As he continued to serve under Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj until the latter’s passing, Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s devotion deepened. After the loss of his mentor, he relocated to Kashi, where his spiritual journey took a transformative turn. There, he met Jyotish Peethadheeshwar Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, a prominent figure in Hindu philosophy and a freedom fighter. In 2000, Swami Avimukteshwaranand received initiation from Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, forming a bond that would last for 22 years. Upon completing his Acharya studies at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, he embraced Dand Sanyas on April 15, 2003, adopting the name Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. From that moment, he vowed never to return to his home, fully dedicating himself to spiritual pursuits.
In his quest to advocate for Hindu values and environmental concerns, Swami Avimukteshwaranand made headlines in 2008 by fasting extensively to declare the Ganges River a national river, a fast that ultimately led to hospitalization. He concluded this rigorous endeavor upon receiving guidance from his guru. The passing of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati in 2022 marked a significant transition in his life; Swami Avimukteshwaranand was appointed the 55th Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth, a monastic institution dedicated to preserving the principles of Hinduism and Advaita Vedānta. Situated in Joshimath, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, the Jyotish Peeth now looks to him for oversight of its various religious and organizational activities.
In recent years, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has continued to be a prominent voice for Hindu values and animal rights. In 2024, he made headlines by urging the Chhattisgarh government to recognize cows as the “Mother of the Nation,” advocating for a ban on cow slaughter and proposing the establishment of a “Cow Parliament” in Prayagraj. His appeal for cows to be honored as the “Mother of the State” is seen as a critical step towards achieving national recognition. Additionally, he actively participated in walk protests aimed at raising awareness and support for the ban on cow slaughter, underscoring his commitment to the cause and further solidifying his role as a spiritual leader advocating for cultural preservation and ecological consciousness.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.