Dharmacharya Pt. Anand Maharaj

Dharmacharya Pt. Anand Maharaj

Current Spiritual Leader — Sarvadeo Mandir Inc.

Pundit Anand Maharaj has been a Pundit in the Hindu Denomination for over thirty (30) years. He has undergone both extensive and intensive religious training in Hindu Priesthood and the Rituals of the Hindu Faith in preparation for his appointment to the office of Pundit. Pundit Anand Maharaj's training took the form of several courses and seminars on the Doctrine and Practices of the Hindu Faith sponsored by various affiliated Hindu Institutions. We confirmed this with the S.D.M.S. of Trinidad and Tobago, which is the Licensing authority for Pundits in the West Indies.

Pundit Anand is qualified to perform the duties of a Pundit by virtue of several religious educational courses he has completed. Pundit Anand was initiated into the Priest life at the age of five (5) years and had advanced to a Brahmachari at the age of ten (10). With continuous study in Rituals, Samskaras and Priesthood under the guidance of his Guru and other Pundits, Pundit Anand was promoted to Prohit in the year 1982.

In pursuit of an academic qualification and a strong desire to observe rituals by Pundits in India, Pundit Anand Maharaj traveled to continue his studies. Upon his return to Trinidad, Pundit Anand continued his studies as a Priest for another three (3) years and was ordained a Pundit in 1988 by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and Tobago.

In the year 1988, Pundit Anand was appointed as Pundit at the Sanatan Seva Sang Mandir in Princes Town, Trinidad, where he served for ten (10) years. During those ten years, Pundit Anand Maharaj continued his studies. After completing the courses "Hindi", "Sanskrit", and "Philosophy", he was granted a Certificate by the Kaywalyadham of Trinidad in 1990. He also completed several courses and workshops in preparation for the great work of preaching the Holy Books. Pundit Anand Maharaj was awarded a Certificate of Competency after the completion of the study of "Karmkand" (rituals) and "Purohit-Karma" (Priesthood) in September 1994 by the U.S.A. Pandits Parishad Inc., located at 87-56 Place, Jamaica, New York 11432.

On February 22nd of 1995 Pundit Anand Maharaj was licensed to perform marriages in his native Trinidad and Tobago. To suit the need of his duties, Pundit Anand Maharaj was required to complete courses of study in Teachers Training and upon successful completion of "Practical Teaching", "Psychology and Sociology", "Family Life Education", "Principles and Practice of Education", "Physical Education" and "Music", Pundit Anand Maharaj was awarded a Teachers Diploma in 1995 by the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago after which Pt. Anand Maharaj completed his Bachelor's Degree in the year of 1998.

In the year 1998, Pundit Anand Maharaj entered the Sarvadeo Mandir USA and was appointed as a Pundit in January 1999. New York authorizes Pundit Anand to solemnize marriages. Additionally, Pundit Anand has completed Graduate studies in Astrology and is a qualified Jyotishi, specialized in performing special Graha Pujas, Nakshatra Pujas, Kaal Sarp Shanti Pujas, Mangalik Pujas, Mahamrityunjaya Pujas, and other remedial rites.

Pundit Anand is also specialized in the performance of Shraad such as Panchak Shanti Puja, 11th Day rites, 12th day rites, Sapind Shraad, Nandi Shraad, Narayanbali Shraad, etc., while continuing to perform regular Deota and Devi pujas, weddings, and officiating at Yagyas.