On June 27, the OM Ashram, Jadan was filled with an air of profound love and reverence as we celebrated the Mahasamadhi Anniversary of our beloved Shree Swami Punyanand Bharti Ji. She was a manifestation of the Divine Mother, a powerful Shakti whose presence enriched all our lives.

The celebration at Mataji's Samadhi was graced by our beloved Gurudev, Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Shree Swami Maheshwarananda Ji; his successor, Shree Swami Avatar Puri Ji; Mahamandaleshwar Shree Swami Phul Puri Ji, along with other great swamis and devoted bhaktas who gathered to honour Her memory.

A Life of Pure Devotion

Born Phuldevi in the village of Nipal over 100 years ago, Jagat Mata Ji Sadhvi Swami Punyanand Bharti Ji lived a life of beautiful simplicity and purity. Mata Ji, as we call Her, was the beloved sister of Sat Guru Hindu Dharm Samrat Paramhans Shree Swami Madhavananda Ji and the respected mother of our beloved Gurudev, Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Shree Swami Maheshwarananda Ji. After raising five children and fulfilling Her worldly duties, she devoted the rest of Her life to divine Seva in the OM Ashram.

Her Enduring Legacy

Mataji`s spirituality was woven into Her daily life. She sang Arati every morning and evening, blessed the grounds of the OM Ashram with Prasad, and participated in every celebration with quiet grace. Her love was all-embracing.

Perhaps nothing captures Her spirit more than a story from Her time in a hospital. When a woman asked if the great saint Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Shree Swami Maheshwarananda Ji was her son, Mata Ji simply folded Her hands and replied, “He is not mine – He belongs to the whole world.”

Today, we celebrate the Mahasamadhi of this great soul, whose heart was big enough to hold the entire world.

Mataji`s heart was wide and kind, and Her presence alone opened the hearts of everyone, from Swamiji's disciples to the local school children. The children were drawn to Her like "a flock of yellow butterflies," and she spoke to each of them with love and tenderness.

Though Mata Ji left this world on July 2, 2011, Her spiritual energy, infinite kindness, and compassionate love remain with us forever.

This celebration was a beautiful reminder of the light she brought into our world, a light that continues to inspire and guide us all.

The majestic banyan tree in front of Her Samadhi serves as a constant, living reminder: though she has left this world, Her spirit remains, Her roots of love run deep, and Her blessings continue to shelter us all. Hari OM