Gayatri Jayanti: From meditation to spiritual discourse, Shantikunj Ashram in Haridwar is a place for rejuvenating retreat

Gayatri Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the Goddess of all Vedas, Mata Gayatri and is observed on the Ekadashi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha during the month of Jyeshtha. It will be celebrated on May 31 this year

Gayatri Pariwar is a living model of a futuristic society, being guided by principles of human unity and equality. It's a modern adoption of the age old wisdom of Vedic Rishis, who practiced and propagated the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It was founded by saint, reformer, writer, philosopher, spiritual guide and visionary Yug Rishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya

Shantikunj is a world-renowned ashram and headquarter of All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP), located in Haridwar

The daily routine at Shantikunj begins at 3:30 am with collective prayer followed by special 'Gayatri Mantra chanting & Sun Meditation' and Akhand Deepak (lamp) darshan

Yagna is also performed every morning, which reminds one of the Vedic days in the ashrams of the Rishis

Special kinds of meditations are also performed – one (the Jyoti Avadharan Sadhana) in the afternoon and the other (Nad Yoga Sadhana) in the evening

The spiritually purified and energetic ambience here attracts and impresses everyone who has ever visited this place