President Draupadi Murmu Meets Premanandji Maharaj in Vrindavan — Seeks Blessings and Spiritual Wisdom

In a deeply moving moment of faith meeting the highest office of the nation, President Draupadi Murmu visited Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan on Friday, March 20, 2026, to seek the blessings of revered saint Shri Premanandji Maharaj. The visit, which lasted approximately 27 minutes, became one of the most significant highlights of the President's three-day spiritual tour of Uttar Pradesh.

The President's Arrival at Radha Keli Kunj

Under tight security arrangements, President Murmu arrived at the ashram of Shri Premanandji Maharaj early on Friday morning. Located on the Vrindavan Parikrama Marg near Varaha Ghat, Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj is the spiritual home of Maharaj Ji and a centre of devotion in the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya — a tradition deeply rooted in the Braj region's heritage of pure love for Shri Radha-Krishna.

Upon her arrival, the President was warmly welcomed by disciples, ashram sevaks, and local leaders. Premanandji Maharaj, in a joyful and radiant mood, greeted the President with his characteristic blessing — "Radhe-Radhe" — filling the air with an atmosphere of devotion and grace.

President Murmu, accompanied by her family, bowed before Maharaj Ji with folded hands, embodying the humility of a true seeker approaching a spiritual guide.

A 27-Minute Spiritual Dialogue

What followed was a private and deeply personal conversation between the President of India and one of the most beloved spiritual voices of our time. For approximately 27 minutes, President Murmu and Premanandji Maharaj engaged in an ekantik vartalap (private spiritual dialogue).

The exchange was centred around themes that lie at the heart of Maharaj Ji's teachings:

• Adhyatma (Spirituality) — the inner journey of self-realization and connection with the Divine
• Seva (Selfless Service) — the spiritual power of serving others without expectation
• Jankalyan (Welfare of Humanity) — how faith can foster societal harmony and uplift communities
• The role of bhakti in bringing peace to modern life

President Murmu also listened to Maharaj Ji's spiritual sermons during the meeting, absorbing the timeless wisdom that draws millions of devotees to his satsangs across the world.

Birthday Blessings for Maharaj Ji

The timing of this visit carried a special significance. Just a day earlier, on March 19, 2026, devotees across the country had celebrated the birthday of Shri Premanandji Maharaj. The celebrations at Radha Keli Kunj had been grand — spanning several days from March 13 to March 19 — with the ashram beautifully decorated, bhajans echoing through the air, and special satsangs attended by thousands of devotees.

During their conversation, President Murmu warmly wished Maharaj Ji a happy birthday, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the meeting. The gesture was a testament to the deep respect that the nation's highest office holds for spiritual traditions and the saints who carry them forward.

What Premanandji Maharaj Shared — The Power of Naam Jap

During the private dialogue, Premanandji Maharaj emphasised the supreme importance of Naam Jap — the practice of chanting the divine name. He explained that naam jap is the simplest and most powerful path to uddhar (liberation of the soul).

This teaching is central to Maharaj Ji's spiritual philosophy. As a revered saint of the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, he has always taught that the chanting of Radha Naam transcends all rituals, penances, and intellectual pursuits. His core message — "Prem hi Parmatma hai" (Love itself is God) — resonates with seekers from all walks of life.

The ashram presented the President with sacred offerings — a dupatta, a mala (prayer beads), and prasad — symbols of the guru's blessings and the spiritual bond forged during the meeting.

President Murmu's Response — "Deeply Moved"

Following the meeting, President Murmu expressed her deep appreciation for the satsang and spiritual discourses conducted by Maharaj Ji. She shared that she was "deeply moved by Shri Premanandji Maharaj's teachings" and praised the efforts he and his trust are undertaking for the welfare of humanity.

This acknowledgement from the President of India is a recognition not only of Maharaj Ji's spiritual stature but also of the transformative social work carried out by the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust. Founded in 2016, the trust provides food, shelter, clothing, and medical care to pilgrims and the destitute in Vrindavan — a living example of the seva-bhav that Maharaj Ji preaches.

The Larger Spiritual Tour — Ayodhya to Govardhan

The meeting with Premanandji Maharaj was part of President Murmu's extensive three-day spiritual tour of Uttar Pradesh (March 19-21, 2026). Here is a glimpse of her full itinerary:

Day 1 — March 19 (Ayodhya & Mathura)

• Visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and installed a 150 kg gold-plated Shri Ram Yantra, symbolising the near-completion of temple construction
• Participated in special religious programmes at the Ram Temple
• Arrived in Mathura and visited the ISKCON Temple, participating in evening aarti and paying tribute at the samadhi of Swami Prabhupada
• Visited Prem Mandir in Vrindavan, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel

Day 2 — March 20 (Vrindavan)

• Met Shri Premanandji Maharaj at Radha Keli Kunj Ashram
• Visited the samadhi of Baba Neem Karoli in Vrindavan to pay respects
• Inaugurated the new Oncology Block at Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram — a significant initiative to enhance cancer care in the region
• Visited Vatsalya Gram, a centre founded by Sadhvi Ritambhara that provides care for the elderly and orphaned children

Day 3 — March 21 (Govardhan)

• Prayers at the Danghati Temple in Govardhan
• Traditional Govardhan Parikrama — a sacred seven-mile circuit around Govardhan Hill

Why This Meeting Matters

In a world increasingly marked by division and restlessness, the image of the President of India — the constitutional head of the world's largest democracy — sitting humbly before a saint and listening to his words on love, devotion, and selfless service carries a powerful message.

Premanandji Maharaj's influence has transcended traditional boundaries. From village devotees in Braj to celebrities like Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Hema Malini, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, millions have been drawn to his transformative teachings. Now, with the President of India seeking his blessings, Maharaj Ji's message of prem, bhakti, and seva reaches the highest corridors of national life.

Despite health challenges — Maharaj Ji has been managing polycystic kidney disease requiring regular dialysis — his dedication to satsang, his disciples, and the welfare of society remains unwavering. The fact that he continues to inspire millions, including the nation's highest leader, is a testament to the living power of bhakti.

For all devotees and seekers, this historic meeting is a reminder of the timeless truth that Maharaj Ji teaches: when love and humility come together, the Divine responds. Radhe Radhe.

"जहाँ प्रेम है, वहीं प्रभु हैं। जहाँ अहंकार समाप्त होता है, वहीं वृन्दावन प्रारम्भ होता है।"