The ‘Swadharmanayan’ campaign, a religious (Dharma) and cultural initiative, received fresh impetus on Saturday in the tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat. During the inauguration of the Shri Anand Vardhan Ashram, run by the Dwarka Shardapeeth, 25 tribal and forest-dwelling brothers and sisters, in the presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati, partook of ,Gangajal, received the mantra of Bhagwan Shri Ram and voluntarily pledged to embrace Sanatan Hindu Dharma. Shardapeeth representatives stated that for them, this religious (Dharma) ritual represents a campaign to reconnect with their cultural roots.
It is noteworthy that on July 11, 2026, the Shri Anand Vardhan Ashram, managed by the Dwarka Shardapeeth, was inaugurated in Vasna (Koshindra) village, Chhota Udepur district, Gujarat, at the hands of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati Maharaj. Established amidst the tribal and forest-dwelling communities, this ashram is set to become a hub for social and cultural awakening alongside religious (Dharma) activities.
Shardapeeth officials stated that through this ashram, the teachings of Sanatan Dharma, Indian culture, Vedic traditions and ethical values would be systematically conveyed to the local people. Additionally, programs focused on ‘Sanskars’ (cultural values), education, service and social harmony will be conducted within the local community. The most significant moment of the inauguration ceremony occurred when the 25 tribal and forest-dwelling individuals publicly partook of ‘Gangajal’, received the Bhagwan Shri Ram mantra from Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati and resolved to adopt Sanatan Hindu Dharma.
On this occasion, they also pledged to observe the traditions of Sanatan Dharma in their lives and remain committed to preserving their cultural heritage. According to the organizers, the entire process was voluntary and all participants made this decision of their own free will.
New Ashram to Provide a Permanent Foundation for ‘Swadharmanayan’
In his address, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati Maharaj stated that for several years, he has been continuously raising public awareness in the tribal and forest-dwelling regions of Gujarat through the ‘Swadharmanayan Yatra’ (Journey of Returning to One’s Own Dharma). He remarked that the establishment of the Anand Vardhan Ashram in Vasna village would provide a new direction and a permanent foundation for this campaign.
He noted that, in addition to hosting religious rituals, the ashram would serve as a hub for an outreach campaign designed to reach every village. He added that in the future, he would tour rural areas on a much larger scale to acquaint people with the significance of their cultural and religious (Dharma) traditions.
Shankaracharya Sadanand Saraswati Maharaj said, “A society is defined by its culture, traditions and values. If a society becomes severed from its roots, its cultural identity gradually weakens; therefore, preserving and upholding one’s traditions is the responsibility of every individual.”
The Message of ‘Swadharmanayan’ Reaching Every Village
According to the Dwarka Shardapeeth, the objective of the ‘Swadharmanayan’ campaign is to reconnect individuals, who have drifted away from their ancestral traditions for various reasons, with their cultural and religious (Dharma) heritage, all while avoiding any form of controversy. To this end, village assemblies, religious discourses, ‘satsangs’ (spiritual gatherings), ‘sanskar’ camps, ‘yagnas’ and public awareness programs have been regularly organized in the tribal regions of Gujarat for several years. Through these programs, people are educated about Indian culture, Vedic traditions, the family system, social harmony and the ‘Sanatan’ way of life.
The Shardapeeth believes that to bring about lasting societal change, it is essential to complement religious rituals with continuous dialogue, education and service-oriented activities. For this reason, the “Swadharmanayan Campaign” has been integrated with service, the inculcation of cultural values (sanskar) and cultural awakening.
‘Ghar Wapsi’ Programs Held Elsewhere Too
The Dwarka Shardapeeth and its Shankaracharyas have been continuously conducting the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ or ‘Swadharmanayan’ campaign for several years. Programs have been organized from time to time, particularly in the tribal and forest-dwelling regions of states such as Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh- where numerous families have voluntarily declared their decision to embrace the Sanatan tradition once again.
In the specific context of Gujarat, it is noteworthy that sants associated with Shardapeeth have conducted extensive outreach campaigns for years across South Gujarat, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dahod and other tribal areas. During these campaigns, they visited villages to hold religious gatherings, engaged in dialogue with the people and endeavored to raise awareness about Indian culture and the Sanatan tradition.
Furthermore, continuous contact with the local community has been maintained through religious orientation camps, ‘Ramkatha’ (narratives of the life of Bhagwan Rama), ‘Gita’ discourses, Gau-seva, educational support, medical camps and social service activities. Shardapeeth claims that, as a result of these efforts, many families have reconnected with their traditional religious identity.
Plans have also been announced to conduct activities at the newly established Anand Vardhan Ashram, including Sanskrit education, religious studies, value-based classes for children, women’s empowerment programs, yoga, spiritual training and social service initiatives. Through the Ashram, local youth will also be inspired by subjects related to Indian culture and nation-building.
Shankaracharya’s Call: “Know Your Religion (Dharma) and Culture”
In his address, Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati stated, “Every individual in society should possess knowledge of their religion (Dharma), culture and history. He emphasized that only if the new generation understands its roots will it be able to preserve its cultural identity.”
He further stated, “In the times ahead, the ‘Swadharmanayan Yatra’ (a journey to foster adherence to one’s own ‘Dharma’) will be expanded significantly. As part of this initiative, continuous tours, religious dialogues and public awareness programs will be organized in the remote tribal and forest-dwelling regions of Gujarat. The Anand Vardhan Ashram will serve as the central hub for this entire campaign, providing fresh momentum to activities focused on service, ‘Sanskars’, and cultural awakening.”
He also noted that his objective is to instill self-confidence in people regarding their traditions, strengthen social unity and disseminate the eternal values of Indian culture to the masses. With this resolve, Shardapeeth is preparing to give its ‘Swadharmanayan’ campaign a much broader scope in the coming years.
