Brahmaswarup Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj was a profound visionary who believed that whilst religion should remain intact, the manner in which it is practiced must be progressive and in keeping with the times. He believed that the best way to serve God was to learn both, to recognize that God exists within every individual and to serve Him by serving humanity. He was a profound visionary who believed that whilst religion should remain intact, the manner in which it is practiced must be progressive and in keeping with the times.

Brahmaswarup Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj was therefore determined to develop a new, more contemporary order in which sadhus would freely live and work within society, remaining accessible to all seekers, but practicing renunciation from within.

Brahmaswarup Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj inspired Sant Bhagwant Sahebji Maharaj and eight others to become sadhus and, with His blessings, asked Saheb, as their leader, to pioneer this new Swaminarayan order… thus the Anoopam Mission was born.

Living simply and frugally, in a commune-like setting, the Anoopam Mission ‘Vratdhari Sadhaks’ are self-reliant and together perform all of their own household and campus maintenance work. In addition, as many of the sadhaks are particularly well educated, many are engaged in local industries. The rest are involved in supporting the Mission’s various activities.

Importantly, as the income of the sadhaks more than offsets the cost of their upkeep, ALL of their surplus income, including their time and energy, are devoted towards charitable work.

This unique self-sufficiency ensures that every cent of incoming charitable donations goes directly towards the activities for which they are intended. Today a host of charitable activities are being carried out in the fields of education, healthcare, social welfare and relief work. Through Sant Bhagwant Param Pujya Sahebji’s guidance and support, over 100 sadhaks, work together with devotees towards elevated spiritual practice and continuously expanding charitable works.

Sadhus with a Saffron Soul

The sadhaks’ attire is highly symbolic. It consists solely of a sky blue colored shirt and crème colored trousers. The crème color is symbolic of the earth and of our position. The blue is the color of the sky and is symbolic of the highest spiritual state, which is union with God. The attire therefore is symbolic of the quest to rise from our current state to the highest spiritual state.

A saffron and white colored badge is also worn. The logo of Anoopam Mission, an eight-spoke wheel, is depicted in the center of the badge. The saffron color is symbolic of renunciation and purification, which must be practiced internally.

The wheel is symbolic of Anoopam Mission, with Saheb as its center. Each of the eight spokes represents the principles by which internal purification is achieved. Each spoke is also representative of the eight brothers who received Brahmaswarup Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj‘s blessings and instructions to go forth onto this new path.