His Holiness Acharya Shree 1008 Tejendraprasadji Maharajshri is the sixth Acharya of the Shree Nar Narayan Dev Gadi, Ahmedabad. He was appointed as the successor by his revered father, His Holiness Acharya Shree 1008 Devendraprasadji Maharajshri. On Aso Sud 2, Vikram Samvat 2025 (13 October 1969), His Holiness was ceremoniously enthroned as the Acharya of the Ahmedabad Diocese.
From the young age of fourteen, under the guidance and blessings of Acharya Shree Devendraprasadji Maharajshri, His Holiness began shouldering the responsibilities of the Sampraday. Accompanied by learned saints, he undertook his first overseas visit to East Africa, where he nurtured and strengthened the growing Swaminarayan Satsang among devotees.
Following the noble example of his great-grandfather, Acharya Shree Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj, His Holiness willingly sacrificed his higher education to dedicate himself to the care and service of his ailing father, Acharya Shree Devendraprasadji Maharajshri. His selfless devotion reflected the ideal demonstrated by Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan (Ghanshyam Maharaj), who lovingly served His own parents during their illness.
Known for his compassion, humility, serenity, and impartiality, His Holiness has always treated every devotee with equal affection and respect. Despite the ever-growing responsibilities of leading a worldwide Sampraday, he has continued to serve tirelessly without displaying the slightest sign of fatigue. He has always graciously accepted invitations to attend religious festivals, padhramanis, spiritual assemblies, and other devotional events, inspiring countless devotees through his personal presence.
With the dedicated support of His Holiness Lalji Maharajshri (Acharya-Designate) Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj, who has played a significant role in the propagation of Satsang, Acharya Maharajshri has continued to strengthen the spiritual foundations of the Sampraday. He has also nurtured the next generation of leadership by instilling the ideals of Satsang, seva, and devotion in his grandson, Bal Lalji Maharajshri Vrajendraprasadji Maharaj.
Throughout decades of selfless service, His Holiness has made extraordinary contributions to the spiritual, educational, social, and cultural development of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. A brief overview of his remarkable achievements is presented below.
Educational Institutions
Recognizing that education is the foundation of a strong society, His Holiness established and inspired numerous educational institutions that today provide quality education to more than 8,000 students, both boys and girls.
These institutions include:
- Shree Sahajanand Arts & Commerce College
- Shree Swaminarayan Vidyalaya (Boarding), Bhuj
- Shree Sahajanand Elementary School
- Shree Sahajanand Primary School
- Shree Sahajanand High School
- Shree Sahajanand Multi-Course Academy
- Shree Sahajanand Vanijya Mahavidyalaya (Commerce College)
Gurukuls and Sanskar Dhams
To preserve and promote India's spiritual and cultural heritage, His Holiness established numerous Gurukuls and Sanskar Dhams across Gujarat and Rajasthan, including at Asarva, Mount Abu, Jhilvana, Gandhidham, Kalol, Jetalpur, Koteshwar, Mandvi, Chiloda, Idar, Rampur, Sayla, Siddhpur, and several other locations. These institutions continue to impart moral values, Sanskrit learning, scriptural knowledge, and character-building education to thousands of young students.
Nar Narayan Dev Yuvak Mandal (NNDYM)
Understanding the vital role of youth in the future of society, His Holiness founded the Nar Narayan Dev Yuvak Mandal (NNDYM) throughout the Northern Diocese under the able guidance of His Holiness Lalji Maharajshri Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj.
Today, NNDYM has grown into one of the largest youth organizations within the Sampraday, bringing together tens of thousands of students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and young devotees. Its activities include:
- Spiritual and cultural camps
- Conferences and seminars
- Leadership workshops
- Religious processions
- Blood donation drives
- Tree plantation campaigns
- Social service initiatives
- Community welfare programmes
These activities continue to inspire youth to lead disciplined, value-based, and service-oriented lives.
International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO)
To serve devotees living overseas, His Holiness established the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO) on Vijayadashami in 1978 in the United States of America.
Today, ISSO has active centres across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. Through regular spiritual assemblies, youth camps, cultural programmes, scriptural classes, and conferences, the organisation continues to nurture future generations of devoted Satsangis while preserving the rich traditions of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
Bicentenary Celebrations of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan
The year 1981 marked the bicentenary birth celebrations of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. Under the leadership of His Holiness, magnificent celebrations were organised at Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Muli, and many other places.
One of the most memorable events took place in Ahmedabad, where the renowned Pujya Dongreji Maharaj delivered the sacred Shrimad Bhagavat Katha before hundreds of thousands of devotees. His Holiness subsequently travelled to Bhuj to preside over the grand celebrations there, followed by equally magnificent festivities at Muli, each strengthening the spiritual unity of the Sampraday.
Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee Celebrations
In 1994, His Holiness completed 25 years as Acharya while simultaneously celebrating his 50th birth anniversary. Devotees from across India and abroad gathered to commemorate this historic occasion.
Demonstrating his extraordinary selflessness, His Holiness directed that all funds collected during the celebrations should be devoted to rebuilding the ancient temple at Chhapaiya, the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. The devotees wholeheartedly fulfilled his wish, resulting in the complete reconstruction of the temple, which today stands as a magnificent symbol of Shreeji Maharaj's eternal glory.
A Life of Selfless Service
The life of His Holiness Acharya Shree 1008 Tejendraprasadji Maharajshri is a shining example of humility, sacrifice, compassion, scholarship, and unwavering devotion. His visionary leadership has strengthened the spiritual, educational, and social foundations of the Shree Nar Narayan Dev Gadi and inspired generations of devotees across the world.
As His Holiness Lalji Maharajshri beautifully expressed during the Silver Jubilee celebrations, devotees should always pray to Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan that they may never cease to remain indebted to the countless sacrifices and selfless service rendered by Acharya Maharajshri. His lifelong dedication to the Sampraday continues to guide devotees from the darkness of ignorance toward the eternal light of devotion, righteousness, and spiritual realization.