Vishwa Hindu Parishad
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
The gradual deterioration of the society in its value system and unity, prompted many religious leaders to establish the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in A. D. 1964. M. S. Golwalkar[1] was the then Head of the well-known Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh. He played the key role in this venture. Its headquarters is situated in New Delhi.
Objectives of Vishwas Hindu Pariṣad[edit]
Its objectives are:
- Protection and consolidation of the society
- Leveling up of the neglected sections of the society ultimately leading to greater integration and cohesion
- Bringing back all those who had left the religious fold and get them merged in the mainstream
- Establish contact with the hindu community living in foreign countries and help them to preserve religious values of life
- Actively spreading religion and culture
Spread of Vishwa Hindu Pariṣad[edit]
Slowly and steadily it has expanded and become a world-wide organization. There are 40,000 committees spread over 11 regions of India. It has branches in 20 foreign countries.
Sections of Vishwa Hindu Pariṣad[edit]
The organizational wing includes:
- Youth-wing called Bajrang Dal
- Women's wing known as Durgā Vahini
- World co-ordination wing
- Research wing
- Full-time dedicated persons’ wing.
Activities of Vishwa Hindu Pariṣad[edit]
- It has successfully undertaken several programs in the religious, social and propaganda fields.
- Vigorous attempts have been made to bring about unity among various maṭhas[2] to train the arcakas[3] of temples.
- They hugely work on organizing religious festivals in a proper manner, spreading religion through discourses, journals and publications and through social service activities.
- The organization has successfully conducted several conventions of Hindu religious leaders during the period A. D. 1984-2007, to forge unity among them.
- General conventions called Hindu Sammelans have also been organized including those in foreign countries.
- Protection of the cow and re-conversion of the Hindus who had left the religious fold have been important task of policy of the Vishwa Hindu movement.
- There is no doubt that the organization is steadily gaining ground and becoming popular.
References[edit]
- ↑ He lived in A. D. 1906-1973.
- ↑ Maṭhas means monasteries and religious institutions.
- ↑ Arcakas means priests.
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore