Who is Premanand Ji Maharaj? The Spiritual Leader With Celebrities Like Virat Kohli And Hema Malini As Devotee

Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj, widely known as Premanand Ji Maharaj by his global followers, is one of the most prominent spiritual leaders in India today. His satsang videos, shared through Instagram reels and YouTube Shorts, have gained immense popularity on social media. With an impressive 11.1 million followers on Instagram, Premanand Maharaj ranks among the most followed spiritual figures worldwide.

Apart from his massive following on Instagram, Premanand Maharaj also enjoys a significant fanbase on YouTube with 7.88 million subscribers and 943K followers on Meta (Facebook). These numbers highlight the tremendous influence and reach of Premanand Maharaj across the globe. Interestingly, he has opted not to use his name for his social media handles, instead choosing the term "Bhajan Marg" for his online platforms.

Premanand Ji Maharaj's Real Name and Family Background

Premanand Ji Maharaj, born Anirudh Kumar Pandey in 1972, hails from a small village in Sarsaul Block, Kanpur. He left his home and parents, Shri Shambhu Pandey and Smt. Rama Devi, at a young age. At just 13, he began his spiritual journey, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a sanyasi. Premanand Maharaj embraced lifelong celibacy (Naishtik celibacy) and sannyasa, focusing on spiritual purification.

He was given the name Swami Anandashram after accepting the Mahakavya. However, he soon felt detached from the traditional ashram lifestyle and sought solitude in Varanasi, where he meditated beneath a large peepal tree. During this time, a saint encouraged him to witness Raas Leela, an experience that deeply impacted his life, leading him to visit Vrindavan.

Who is Premanand Ji Maharaj's Guru, Shri Gaurangi Sharan Maharaj?

Premanand Ji Maharaj's spiritual guide is the renowned Shri Gaurangi Sharan Maharaj, a revered spiritual leader across India. Initially, Premanand Maharaj frequented Bihari Ji's temple in Vrindavan, which became his sanctuary for meditation and devotion. He was later initiated into the Radhavallabhi Sampradaya and received the 'Sharanagati Mantra.' Eventually, he met his current guru, Pujya Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj, affectionately known as Bade Guru, who imparted the 'Nij Mantra' to him.

Under his guru's guidance, Premanand Maharaj entered the Rasik Saints category, immersing himself in profound love and devotion to Shri Radha Krishna. He spent the next decade serving his guru, acquiring deep knowledge of the Vedas, scriptures, and spirituality.

Premanand Ji Maharaj's Popularity

Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, located in Ramanreti, is where Premanand Maharaj currently resides in Vrindavan, and his influence is steadily expanding. A few years ago, he used to perform parikrama (circumambulation) of Vrindavan daily but had to stop due to health issues. Reports from ABP Live indicate that Premanand Maharaj's kidney health is compromised, and he has been undergoing dialysis. Despite numerous devotees offering to donate their kidneys, Premanand Maharaj has respectfully declined, not wanting to cause suffering to others.

His selfless nature and devotion have earned him immense respect, and several prominent figures have sought his blessings. Among his admirers are renowned personalities such as cricketer Virat Kohli, actress Anushka Sharma, wrestler Great Khali, actress Hema Malini, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Premanand Ji Maharaj's followers, including celebrities and common people alike, are drawn to his spiritual wisdom and compassionate approach.