In a significant spiritual event, the Niranjani Akhara has conferred the prestigious title of mahamandaleshwar upon a Japanese monk for the second time in under a month. The initiation ceremony took place at a local college in the holy city of Haridwar, marking a continued international expansion of Hindu monastic traditions.
A Second Japanese Ascendant
The ceremony on Monday saw Joe Ota receive the spiritual title from Swami Ravindra Puri, who serves as both the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and secretary of the Niranjani Akhara. Following the rituals, Ota was given the monastic name Swami Adityanand Giri. The event was attended by numerous ascetics from various ashrams and akharas across India.
This elevation follows closely on the heels of a similar honor bestowed on Takayuki Hoshi, a 43-year-old Japanese industrialist, who was given the same title on November 13. The back-to-back initiations highlight a focused effort to recognize and integrate spiritual seekers from Japan into the core institutions of Sanatan Dharm.
Global Ambitions: Dharm Sansad in Japan
Swami Ravindra Puri made a landmark announcement during the ceremony, revealing that the proposed Dharm Sansad in 2026 will be held in Japan. To lay the groundwork for this major religious parliament, a 27-member delegation of saints from Haridwar will visit Japan beforehand.
The discussions during this visit will center on propagating Sanatan Dharm and related subjects, including a deep dive into the ancient institution of Shankaracharya. This delegation is scheduled to travel to Japan before the commencement of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in January 2027.
Preparing for the 2027 Sant Kumbh
In connection with the upcoming Kumbh, Swami Puri outlined plans for a grand Sant Kumbh gathering. This event aims to bring together more than 1,000 members of the seer community and their followers. Reflecting the global footprint of the akhara, around a dozen mahamandaleshwars of the Niranjani Akhara from abroad are also expected to participate in the historic mela.
Emphasizing the worldwide nature of this spiritual tradition, Swami Ravindra Puri stated, "Sanatan Dharm is truly global as its followers are spread across most parts of the world." The strategic initiatives—from initiating Japanese monks to planning international Dharm Sansads—are concrete steps towards strengthening this global network and dialogue, setting the stage for an unprecedented international presence during the 2027 Kumbh.
