Shree Ram Sharnam, Panipat, Haryana India

Shree Ram Sharnam is a religious prayer center for the Hindus located in the Panipat city. It is an International Spiritual Center and has similar centers all over India. Sri Ram Sharnam stands for the spiritual sanctuary and shelter of Lord Rama where chaos, tensions and worries tend to disappear and you feel the vibes of peace, purity, serenity, selflessness and total dedication to Lord Ram. People gather in bulks and chant Satsangs (holy bhajans, songs, prayers). It is also a place of peace and meditation.

Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj, the founder of Shree Ram Sharnam, was born in 1861 in Rawalpindi. He had lost his parents in his early childhood. At the young age of 17, he took up the company of spiritual teachers of Jain faith. In 1891, at the age of 30, he joined the Arya Samaj, and studied Vedanta, Upanishads, and other sacred epics.
He spent the following 25 years giving spiritual talks and spreading the spiritual teachings from the sacred epics.

During this period, he also wrote the following books; Dayananda Prakash, Satya Updesh Mala, Onkar Upasna, Arya Samajic Dharma, SandhyaYog, Ishwar Darshan, and Dayananda Vachnamrit.

Shri Ram Sharnam is a spiritual center, which stands as an emblem of supreme devotion to Lord Ram. The center is a singular place for the mental, moral and spiritual advancement of devotees. Bhajan and kirtan (devotional songs) programs are regularly conducted here.

The center has many congregation halls. The grace and dignity of these halls and its atmosphere suffused with pity and devotion draws devotees in large numbers. One of its prayer halls was inaugurated by Swami Satya Gandhi in 1960.

Shri Ram Sharnam is located at Panipat (in Haryana), a historical town situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Panipat is 92 km north of New Delhi, the political nerve center and capital city of India.

Lacking inner peace, in early 1925 he went to Dalhousie in the Himalayas, to meditate in solitude to seek God. On July 7, 1925 the day of Vyas Purnima, Swamiji was blessed with the sounds and inner vision of "Ram Naam", and with the realization of his soul’s oneness with God. In 1928, he began initiating his followers with "Ram Naam".

He wrote additional books, namely, Bhakti Prakash, Valmikis Ramayana-sar, Sri Bhagwat Gita, Akadashopnishad Sangrah, Pravachan Piyush (Collection of Swami Ji's Lectures), Prarthna Aur Uska Prabhav, Upasak Ka Anteric Jeevan, Bhakti Aur Bhakt Ke Lakshan, Sthitpragya Ke Lakshan, Bhajan Avam Dhavani Sangrah, and Amritvani. These volumes are published by Shree Swami Satyanand Dharmarth Trust, New Delhi, and are sold at price below cost. Swamiji has written these epics through inner guidance gained in a state of samadhi. Of all these wonderful books, AMRITVANI has uniquely become universally popular because of its deep Spiritual Power. It is presented in a small book and is widely recited because of its unique power in invoking devotion to Ram.

Swami Ji did not start a separate Spiritual Path. He was a God-realized Saint, like Sant Kabir, Guru Nanak, Samarth Ramdas, Goswami Tulsidas, Sri Ramakrishan Paramhansa and Maharishi Dayanand. Goal of his teaching was to intensify devotion to God through concentration on "Ram Naam".

Swami Ji initiated Sadhna Satsangs for serious devotees to practice detachment, devotion, purity of body and mind, and healthy living habits. The first Sadhna Satsang was held in Haridwar, followed by many camps all over India. On November 13, 1960 while chanting "Ram Naam", Swamiji gave up his physical body after transferring his Spiritual Powers to his dear disciple Shree Prem Ji Maharaj, and designating him as the one to replace him. Shree Swamiji’s body was immersed in the Holy Ganges at Neel-Dhara near Haridwar, which has since become a unique Holy Place for all Amritvani devotees.

 The center was founded by Swami Shri Satyanandji Maharaj and Shri Bhagat Hansrajji Maharaj. Shri Krishanji and Smt Rekhaji have been managing the center. The Satsang (prayers) was first held in Haridwar and slowly the peace it gave the visitors spread popularity and today there are leading centers around the country of which Panipat is one.

Shri Ram Sharanam is situated in Panipat as an emblem of devotion to Shri Ram as well as of selfless service humanity in the war. The structure of this place includes congregation halls and the atmosphere of this place is of holiness and devotion. Shri Ram Sharanam also has the honour of being the only prayer hall, inaugurated by Swami Satya Nandji himself, in 1960. Swami Satya Nandji was a great disciple of Maa Shakuntala Devi and Maa Darshi Devi. Currently, the hall is developed for mental, moral and spiritual advancement of its devotees. The surroundings also comprise several mega malls for shopping.

There are Daily Satsang programs (Monday – Saturday) and Weekly Satsang Programs (on Sundays). The place is huge and beautifully constructed with a huge hall where people in large numbers can gather. There is a beautiful garden in the center.