CM Bhupendra Patel Greets Gurudev Rakeshji on Birthday

Key Takeaways

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel posted birthday greetings to Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji on 26 September 2026 .

Rakeshji is the founder and spiritual head of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur , based in Valsad district, Gujarat .

The Mission promotes Jain-inspired teachings on self-awakening, compassion, and welfare of all living beings.

CM Patel prayed for Gurudev's excellent health and long life in his public message.

The gesture reflects Gujarat's established political tradition of publicly honouring prominent spiritual leaders.

A Chief Minister's morning greeting to a revered spiritual leader carries weight beyond courteous gesture — it marks a living bridge between Gujarat's political establishment and its deeply rooted spiritual traditions. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel extended heartfelt birthday wishes on Saturday, 26 September 2026 to Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji, the guiding force behind Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur.

Writing in Gujarati, CM Patel expressed: 'આત્મજાગૃતિ, જીવદયા અને સર્વ જીવોના કલ્યાણ અર્થે આપનું આત્મીય માર્ગદર્શન સમાજને અવિરત પ્રાપ્ત થતું રહે છે' — 'Your heartfelt guidance for self-awakening, compassion for all living beings, and the welfare of every soul continues to reach society without interruption.' He closed with a sincere prayer that the divine grant Gurudev excellent health and a long life. Who is Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji? Gurudev Shri Rakeshji is the founder and spiritual head of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, an organisation rooted in the Jain-inspired philosophy of Shrimad Rajchandraji — the 19th-century poet-saint who profoundly influenced Mahatma Gandhi. The Mission, headquartered in Dharampur in southern Gujarat's Valsad district, centres its work on inner awakening, non-violence, and universal compassion. Rakeshji's teachings draw thousands of seekers from across India and the global Jain diaspora. Gujarat's Tradition of Honouring Spiritual Voices CM Patel's public tribute is consistent with a well-established pattern in Gujarat's political culture: sitting Chief Ministers have long used public platforms to acknowledge prominent spiritual leaders, recognising their moral authority within civil society. This is not mere formality. Gujarat's Jain community, one of the most economically and socially influential communities in the state, holds institutions like Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in deep reverence. A birthday greeting from the Chief Minister affirms that relationship publicly. For Patel, who has cultivated a reputation as a leader attentive to Gujarat's diverse spiritual and cultural landscape, the gesture underscores an alignment between governance and the values of compassion and inner awakening that the Mission champions.

Point of View

And Bhupendra Patel's birthday tribute to Gurudev Rakeshji fits squarely within that tradition. The Shrimad Rajchandra Mission commands significant moral authority, particularly among Gujarat's influential Jain community, making public acknowledgement politically and culturally meaningful. For Patel, such gestures reinforce his image as a leader rooted in Gujarat's civilisational ethos. The post also signals the state government's continued goodwill toward an organisation whose reach extends well beyond Gujarat's borders.

NationPress

26 Sept 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji?

Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshji is the founder and spiritual head of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, a Jain-inspired spiritual organisation based in Dharampur, Gujarat, focused on self-awakening, non-violence, and compassion for all living beings.

What is Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur?

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur is a spiritual organisation headquartered in Dharampur, Valsad district, Gujarat. It draws from the philosophy of 19th-century Jain poet-saint Shrimad Rajchandraji and promotes inner awakening and universal compassion.

Why did CM Bhupendra Patel greet Gurudev Rakeshji?

CM Bhupendra Patel extended public birthday wishes to Gurudev Rakeshji on 26 September 2026, acknowledging the spiritual leader's guidance on self-awakening and welfare of all living beings, in keeping with Gujarat's tradition of honouring prominent spiritual figures.

Where is Shrimad Rajchandra Mission located?

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission is located in Dharampur, in the Valsad district of southern Gujarat, India.

What did CM Bhupendra Patel say to Gurudev Rakeshji?

CM Patel praised Gurudev Rakeshji's uninterrupted guidance on self-awakening, compassion for living beings, and the welfare of all souls, and prayed to God to bless Gurudev with excellent health and a long life.