How did the Arya Samaj expand in the corner of the world?

Today, Arya Samaj- has become an institution far beyond being merely responsible for the awakening of Indian Consciousness to become the voice of Indian culture and true Sanatan Vedic religion in many countries of the world. Friends! You will be surprised to know that in the 19th century when people could not even dream of going to the countries of America and Africa, the Arya Samaj not only reached to the countries of those continents but also awakened the people with its Vedic culture and Sanatan religion.

Let's know that in the form of Arya Samaj- this fire of public awakening which came out of the heart of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji, has spread to which all countries of the world and continents?

Beginning with Canada- which is a country of continent North America, extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and in the north up to the Arctic Ocean. In this country, Arya Samaj is working on large scale for spreading of Vedic culture.

Who doesn’t recognize the United States of America- a big country, often known as America? There Arya Samaj is working in many of its states and cities.

Another Country is Jamaica which is an island nation located on the Greater Antilles, which is located in the Caribbean Sea, people join the Arya Samaj in this country, people are learning Indian culture and religion.

Suriname- a Latin America country which can be seen on north shore after crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Europe. Due to the propagation of Arya Samaj, many Indians settled in Suriname have abandoned Christianity and accepted the initiation of Arya-Vedic religion. These people who had first become Christians are now Arya. Today, Arya Samaj deserves to receive the principal credit for preserving the presence of Vedic religion and Indian culture in the People of Indian origin settled in Suriname.

The country sharing the western border side of Suriname is Guyana. At present there also the roots of Arya Samaj in this country are very deep. At many places, Arya Samaj Temples have been established and in a very large number, the people are the members of Arya Samaj.

Trinidad and Tobago, the island nations in the Caribbean Sea where there is an abundance of Indian Native residents. Even here, the Arya Samaj is making a big contribution by doing promotion of Vedic culture.

Friends! Now let’s move to Europe, Arya Samaj is promoting Vedic religion here in Europe. The term the United Kingdom is used collectively for -Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales, in these nations also the people attached with Arya Samaj are doing promotional work for Vedic culture. In France also, Arya Samaj has ensured its presence by working for the people there.

Adding on to this series, if we speak about another European country- the Netherlands, then there are a large number of Arya Samaj members in this country and on the vast level, Arya Samaj is working in this country. International Arya Mahasammelan was also held in this country in 2010.

With European country- Germany, Arya Samaj is sharing deep historical patronage and cultural affinity. Even it that Germany's great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche has given Manusmriti the title of the best treatise from that of the Bible. The Arya Samaj is doing its duty in this country too.

In the Czech Republic of Europe, the nursery of Arya Samaj is being prepared. In this country a large number of young people have already been associated with Arya Samaj.

After Europe, if we move towards the African continent- the Arya Samaj is broadcasting Vedic education in the African country of Ghana through public speeches, Satsang, and literature.

In the African country Uganda, a large building was constructed in 1908 by the Arya Samaj. But after the arrival of a dictator Idi Ameen in the middle, the people of Indian origin were forced to leave Uganda but now due to the work of Arya Samaj the things have been restored.

In South Africa, the Hindu settlers had almost forgotten their religion but at the beginning of the 20th century, the Arya Samaj had taught Indians to take pride in their own culture and heritage. It initiated the work of spreading social reform and education which is still going on in South Africa.

If you talk about another African country-Kenya then in the year 1903, during the establishment of Arya Samaj, forty-five people were present in Nairobi when the foundation stone of Arya Samaj Bhawan was being laid. Today, it is a seven-story building and a large number of people have joined  Arya Samaj there.

In the African country of Tanzania, Arya Samaj was founded in 1907 in Zanzibar. While encouraging the religious, cultural and educational activities among the Hindus, a girls' school and a library were built. Even today, Arya Samaj is working in Tanzania.

The neighbouring country of India, Pakistan has been the stronghold of the Arya Samaj at one time but after the partition, the majority of the people from Arya Samaj came to India. But even today in many areas including Sindh, people associated with Arya Samaj are still doing their job among the Hindus in Pakistan.

Nepal, once known as the only Hindu nation, has the Hindu majority but the ideologies of Arya Samaj were not organized there. When the International Arya Mahasammelan took place in Kathmandu in 2016, people associated with Arya Samaj came together to organize their efforts. Today, Arya Samaj is working with a fast pace in Nepal.

In Myanmar, Although the Buddhist population is in majority yet this old heritage country is not left uninfluenced by the movement of Arya Samaj. There are many modern and ancient times Arya Samaj temples in Myanmar, and also a large number of followers of Arya Samaj. In the year 2017 International Arya Mahasammelan was held in Myanmar. For this reason, the Arya Samaj has reached even up to the villages of Myanmar.

Established its identity as a separate country in 1971, the country which came to the front of the world is Bangladesh. It also has a deep influence on the ideology of Arya Samaj among the Hindus. Many people are also working on to spread the Vedic religion by joining the Arya Samaj in Bangladesh.

The beautiful island country Mauritius- Located near the southeast coast of the African continent, was even liberated due to the efforts of Arya Samaj. The knowledge of Indian Vedas and culture is so deeply embedded in this country that while having a population of around 12 lakhs, there are around 450 Arya Samaj temples and schools in this country. We can say that in each house the presence of Arya Samaj can be found.

In the South Eastern neighbouring country of India-Thailand, A Vedic Temple was built by the Arya Samaj including the library. The Arya Samaj followers there are deeply fascinated by its philosophy, organizing the Hindu festivals and spreading the Vedic religion.

In the country- Fiji, located in the East Pacific Ocean, Arya Samaj is one among the first institutions that were established in this country. It has been working to bring back the people who went away from their Vedic culture and now restoring their beliefs again in their glorious heritage. Even today, many institutions of Arya Samaj are proudly working in Fiji.

Australia is the world's smallest continent. Arya Samaj is working on a faster pace among the Indians settled there. In the year 2015, the International Arya Sammelan was held in the city of Sydney, Australia.

New Zealand has a very small number of Indians diaspora but the work of the promotion of Arya Samaj and Vedic culture is being carried out in this country at a rapid pace.

Friends! in addition, in the next few years, the Arya Samaj is looking forward for working on the spreading of Vedic culture to many other countries so that the knowledge and teachings of Maharishi Dev Dayanand Saraswati Ji and the world's oldest literature Vedas for the welfare of humans could be spread across the whole world. It will help in realizing the dream of Shri Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Ji to take humanity to the heights of the Vedic period.

vinay arya